Engine will not start

Tiny
WAYNE136
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
Will not start, and it smells like oil and gas really bad.
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Saturday, April 28th, 2018 AT 8:29 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
We should check the engine ignition for spark first and then go from there. Check at the bottom of the guide to the spark check. Can I ask if the engine is cranking over (starter working)?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Here is a guide that can help as well:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, April 29th, 2018 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
STOMER62
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 83,000 MILES
About a month ago I had to have a new water pump installed but the technician did not properly clamp a hose. I drove off and the next day my vehicle overheated and then shut down. I guess they are made to do this to protect engine. Anyway, I had it towed to garage where they immediately found the hose clamp problem. However, ever since that occurred the engine will sometimes turn over but not start. I wait a few minutes and then it will fire. I took it into dealership and they said they could not find anything wrong. So I left. It is still doing it. I called the service manager who has no idea and will not admit it has something to do with the shutdown due to overheating.
I did not have the problem prior to the overheating and automatic shut down. This has to be related. At this point I do not trust him. I need a second opinion.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
It sounds like the crankshaft angle sensor is going out which could be due to the heat of the overheating engine. When these sensors go out it may or may not leave a code this is why the dealer could not find anything.

Here is a guide to show you what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Here is a what it will be like on your car (below).

You may need to raise the car up safely.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KRISTINA CAPPOLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Sometime my car doesn't want to start all the way up. The lights and radio with turn on but the car wont. After trying to start it three times it finally starts. My battery and alternator are in good condition. Could this me my ignition switch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Kristina,

Can you tell me which engine you have? Also, when you say the car won't turn on does it turn over (crank) or just click or do absolutely nothing?

This will help limit down what the issue could be. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KRISTINA CAPPOLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I posted a video. It is a 6 cylinder 3.6L flex fuel.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is great. Thank you. Just so we are seeing the same thing, it is actually starting and then dies off almost immediately? So the RPMs come up like it is going to start normally but then it just stalls out? Then after about 3 times of doing this, it starts normally?

If all of this is the case, then I am fairly confident that you have a fuel pressure issue. Most likely the fuel pump is failing. What happens is the engine starts and dies on the remaining fuel pressure that is in the system and then it takes 3 attempts to get the fuel pump to get the fuel pressure back up.

You actually have a saddle type tank so you have two fuel pumps. The main fuel pump contains the fuel pressure regulator so my guess is the main fuel pump is the issue. If you have a fuel pressure gauge you can test this theory pretty easily. Just connect it to the fuel rail and then monitor the fuel pressure when it does this and my bet is it will be pretty low if not 0 psi. As you crank it, you will see it start to build then by the third time it is high enough to start the vehicle.

This is not your ignition switch because that is an electronic switch and it either allows the start or it does not. The PCM and WIN (wireless ignition node, what you put your key into) need to have what is called a secret handshake. This is a communication that these two modules agree that it is a good key to start the vehicle and the PCM sends the commands to start the vehicle. If this fails then you would turn the key and nothing would happen or the cluster would say invalid key.

Let me know if what I asked above is correct and if you have a fuel pressure gauge. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRISBR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 28,000 MILES
Dear, my 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo (VIS 1J4RR4GG9BC709626) has an intermittent starting problem. It is not always, but happened 4 times in the last 30 days. Basically, it doesn´t start at the first try, it cranks and cranks but doesn't start. Then I just press the start button (switching off and on ) without pressing the brake pedal. After that, I press the brake pedal and the start button and the car starts right up normally. It looks like the car is out of gasoline, but for sure it isn´t. I took the car to a Jeep Garage and they said I must change an engine module (part # is 05150656AA) that cost around USD 2.5 k here in Brazil. Too expensive! However, it sounds they don´t know what is actually the reason of the problem and just want to sell me an expensive part to make money. I would appreciate if you could help me? Thank you very much!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
When it doesn't start, have you been able to check fuel pump pressure and for spark to the engine?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRISBR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No I don´t how to do it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Go to our homepage under the DIY section and you will find both directions and videos showing you how to do it. Let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GFSJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
When you get in and push the brake pedal then push the start button the engine turns over for the period of time it is programed for the the starter will stop. Then you repeat this start procedure and sometimes it will do this several times and still don't start. Then the next time you try it, it will start just like there is nothing wrong? I had it into the chrysler shop for repair they reprogrammed the flash. This made no difference? As I said it does not do it every time but will do this a couple of times a day and some times has done this for more than 15 times in a row before I left it set then a few hours later tried it and started first time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Has anyone checked the fuel pump pressure when this happened?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GFSJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We haven't been able to have it happened when it was at the shop. I left the vehicle there for a day and it didn't happened. As soon as I drove it home the next morning it wouldn't start. When it is running there is no power loss or black smoke or anything like that. Just runs fine?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
I want you to try something. When the problem happens and it won't start, see if it will start for a couple seconds using starting fluid. By doing this, it will tell me if the problem is in the fuel system or the ignition system.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GFSJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
That sounds good to me. I have starting fluid and I will try that. Today I had the jeep into the shop and we pulled the Totally Intergrated Power Module and tested the #10 pin then used a test light to check the dark blue wire with the orange stripe to insure we were getting power to the fuel pump. Every thing appears to be working properly with that. Unfortunately the vehicle started everytime we tried it and never missed once other than first thing this morning. The first start this morning it turned over several seconds I was expecting it to time out on the starter just then it started but didn't miss a beat the rest of the day. I will be prepared tomorrow morning if it don't start I will use the starting fluid.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GFSJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have tested the TIPM and found the relay located on the C5 conector #10 pin is not activating everytime I attempt to start the engine. I have tested it each time I go to start the engine and this morning I found it was not sending power to the fuel pump eveytime. When I pushed the start button I had a test light on the dark blue wire with the orange tracer line and on the first try it was not getting power. After turning over for 8 or 9 seconds the test light came on but the engine start cyclle timed out. I tried it again the light come on bright right away and the engine started. Apparently there are allot of problems with the Totally Intergrated Power Module on the jeep grand cherokee.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
I had a feeling it had something to do with fuel pressure. Isn't technology wonderful?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID STUART RUTLEDGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 10,000 MILES
My vehicle will not start. I have power but won t start. I was told to pull the fuse for a couple seconds then put back in and should start. My question is what fuse do I pull?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

That is inaccurate information. Where did you hear that? There is no fuse you can pull to make it start.

Do you have a voltmeter to do some tests for the starting system?

Check the fuses I circled for power on both sides. Let us make sure there is power to the relay.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links