Start but will not crank

Tiny
MELVIN FIELDS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 224,436 MILES
My car starts but wont crank would a broken line on a purge valve be the problem?
Sunday, March 15th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
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I assume you mean it cranks but doesn't start, meaning it turns over but the engine doesn't run. Just making sure I understand the question.

As for the purge line, it will not cause a no start condition because the purge valve is closed during starting so if the line is broken it is not operating anyway so it doesn't matter.

We need to start with checking for spark and fuel. Start with spraying some starter fluid in the intake and see if the engine starts. This will test to see if we have a fuel issue.

If it doesn't start then we need to pull a spark plug and connect it back to the ignition and hold it against the block and see if it sparks when you turn the engine over.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know what happens with this and we can go down that path. Thanks
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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I got spark. My fuel pump is cutting on. I sprayed starter fluid in it and it tries to start.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Just so I understand when you spray starter fluid it actually fires? It may not keep running but it actually catches and runs for a second? Basically it just cranks now, then using starter fluid it fires briefly?

If that is the case, then we need to start with checking fuel pressure. Even though the pump is coming on doesn't mean it is producing the needed pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I attached the pressure spec. You can just hook up the gauge and turn the key on and see what the pressure is. Then you can do it while cranking as well.

Let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Do you have any other suggestions?
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Unfortunately we are making a guess if we just try to replace the fuel pump because we assume it is not building pressure. Without knowing what the fuel pressure is, we are not sure if when hearing the pump it is actually building pressure. The fact that it tries to start when using starter fluid shows we are dealing with a fuel issue. However that is not enough to decide on what the cause is.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Would the fuel pressure regulator or the fuel filter make it not start? I'm just asking.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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It could be. These would be something that we would need to look at if the pressure is low. There is a chance that if the pressure is normal, the regulator is stuck closed restricting the pressure to the injectors. However, if the pressure is low, then the filter being restricted could be the cause. If you haven't changed it in a while you can remove the line from the filter on the engine side not the fuel tank side then direct it into a drain pan and turn the key on so the pump comes on and see if there is a strong solid stream of fuel. If not then replace it. If there is, it is probably not the issue.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Okay, thanks.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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No problem. Sorry I don't have just an easy one for this. Unfortunately it will take some testing. Let me know if you have any questions or what you find. Thanks
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Okay.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM

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