1998 Chevrolet Malibu Repair Question
Can not get car to start tried everything i can think of what are your suggestions
will not start
battery, alternator, and starter all tested and good
turn key and starter engages but as soon as it does all dash lights and day time running lamps go out but it does not crank the engine over acts like engine is ceased
put socket and ratchet on crank bolt and crank turns so engine not ceased
never came across this issue before and being a mechanic myself I am completly lost
All connections at battery are clean and tight and body grounds by battery are clean and tight
any help would be greatly appreciated
Asked by CrazyCowboyJames68Answer
http://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.
can not do any of these things when the engine is not cranking. as I said in my description of the problem, as soon as the starter tries to engage everything just goes dead as it would if the engine was ceased up but engine does turn when you put a socket and ratchet on it.
Check for a bad connections at the starter motor and battery if okay check and test the ignition switch
well did some more work on it and engine is locked up