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After replacing the plugs and headlights the engine will not crank

Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 4.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Changed plugs and headlights now it won't crank.
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 6:24 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

Can you tell me what it exactly doing?
Does it click or make any noise when you try to start it?
Are you getting any lights illuminated on the dash?

Just so we cover the basics, have you tried to jump start it? It is possible to have a discharged battery and that could be the cause of no start.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

If you are able to jump start it and it runs normal, then it is likely just a bad battery.

Please let me know what you have been experiencing.
Thank you.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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Brand new battery. Dash lights and everything works.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
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Just watched the video. The engine is cranking over but not starting.
This could be due to not getting any spark or fuel.
You will need to check to see if there is spark to the plugs. Also, can you hear the fuel pump when the key is in the on position?

Take a look at this guide, it covers the typical crank / no start issues:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

One thing you can try is to spray starting fluid into the intake. If it is a fuel issue, the engine will start and run for a little bit.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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Fuel pump is working. Got spark. Tried spraying it with starting fluid and got nothing.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
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If the spark is not strong it won't start.
I would recommend you go through the guide that I sent the link earlier. It covers all the basics. Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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After yesterday I found these two things unplugged. Can you tell me where they go?
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
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On the first picture I see that it is by the distributor, can you tell me how many wires on that plug? Also, maybe another picture from a different angle would help.

You can also check to see if there is power to the connector with the key to the on position. This could tell us if this is for the ignition system.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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Here's more pics of the plug. Could it go to the fuel pump?
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 8:10 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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There is one wire and it's hard to tell if it's blue or purple or what because I am color blind.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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Also where does this go?
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
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I am having difficulty finding the harness that those plugs belongs to.
When you turn the key on, is there power to those connectors?
Check the coil pack and make sure the connectors are secure.
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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I have narrowed it down to either a bad fuel pump relay or a bad ignition relay or a bad pump. I have replaced the filter, but it won't crank, it's still trying but not quite. Also, I had to take brand new battery back, as it drained practically in an hour, without me doing anything.
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
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If the pump is turning on, then it is not the relay. It could be a weak pump that is not providing adequate pressure. Or some sort of restriction in the line, like a dirty fuel filter of a clog in the line.
If the pump is turning on, then testing the fuel pressure can help you determine if the pump is weak or has issues in line or a bad fuel pressure regulator.
This engine should have at least 62 PSI fuel pressure with the key on and engine off.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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After a day of rest, I'm back at it, this time I have replaced the plugs, fuel relay switch, headlights and still no crank. So, I went chasing a loosen ground wire. Well low and behold I found something, but I don't know what it is, I made a video and took several frames for you, this is shot on the firewall looking forward. What is the black and is it disconnected? Also is this ground wire supposed to have something else hooked to it I know it's dirty.
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
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It is difficult to figure from the picture. But the black piece looks like part of some sort of connector or seal.

The ground wire looks to be normal. You do want to clean around it and possibly remove the bolt and clean the mounting surface for good contact.
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NEEDS HELP
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After much looking, I am down to the starter or the fuel pump, mind you all this started with a head light bulb replacement. I made a video of the starter; sorry it was the best I could do. I'm lost at what I'm looking at or for.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
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From one of the earlier videos you uploaded, the engine is cranking over. Since it is cranking over the issue probably not the starter. As if the starter was bad, you will get a clicking noise and that will be all with not cranking over.

Did you get a chance to check for fuel? Even if the pump is turning on, it is possible to have some sort of clog in the fuel line or have a bad fuel pressure regulator.
As you mentioned you are getting a good spark, then the only item left is fuel.

It is strange that you are having all these issues for no apparent reason. As the light but change does not have anything to do with what you are dealing with.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 AT 11:07 PM

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