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1996 GMC Savana Engine wont start

Tiny
SONNY721
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GMC SAVANA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,425 MILES
The problem that Im having is that the engine is cranking but not starting. I replaced everything new: battery, starter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel pump relay, ignition coil, ignition module, distributor cap and rotor, new engine control module, crankshaft sensor, pick-up coil sensor. Everything that I can think of that would cause the engine not to start. Please help me out, Im stumped. I hope my problem was very descriptive of the problem.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 6:54 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
I need some basic info. What is the fuel pressure while you are cranking or right after the fuel pump primes? I also need you to put a spark checker on it and see make sure you are getting spark to the plugs. An easy way to eliinate the fuel system is spray some starter fluid in the throttle body and see if it fires.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
SONNY721
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The fuel pressure is about 60psi and it doesn't drop after about 20 minutes. Oh yeah its getting plenty of spark at the coil and the spark plugs very nice amount of spark. Now would the starting fluid damage the catalyc converter?
Thanks for your help.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
No the starter fliuid will not damage anything. It is a god way to test if you maybe got sme bad gas or your injectors arent working. Please why some1 is cranking the car try and spray a little bit of starter fluid into the throttle body.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
SONNY721
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Im afraid that the starting fluid will damage the converter. I did try squirting fuel in the throttle body and the engine did sputtered a little bit. What could be the problem? Have you experienced this problem before with a similar vehicle? This problem happened before and it was the ECM but I just replaced it with a new one. The starting problem occured a few times and started fine until after it got worse and not start at all now.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
Why do you think it wil affect the cat? Yes I have seen this problem before but I want to make sure the car runs before I go any further. Any ther mechanics here on the forum feel free to chime n if you see any problems with starter fluid. It is a good way to test and is better then pouring gas into a throttle body because a puddle of gas has alot better chance of igniting a fire then a few squirts of sarter fluid.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
SONNY721
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I finally got the engine to start and it ran excellent better than ever after installing the new fuel injector spider system CSFI to MPI conversion! After I drove the van about 200 miles it acted up again, what elese could be causing this engine from starting?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
RONALD THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I had corrosion on the wire to the Cam Position Sensor on the distributor. Spliced in a 12" piece(with a new connector) to eliminate it and the van ran fine. Seal the splice well.
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thanks Ronald. That is good information. This original post was about 10 years ago but hopefully that information will help the next person that has a similar issue even if this person doesn't see it. Thanks again.
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
RONALD THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
So what was the problem back then? I'm having a similar problem now and could use a successful path to a solution.
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I guess I misunderstood your post. I thought you were offering a solution to what they were experiencing. It is best if you start a new post with your specifics about your vehicle and the issue you are having. I understand it may be similar or exact to this one but again, it is better to just start fresh with your situation.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
RONALD THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I did offer a possible solution. The distributor thing has the same symptoms as he had. But at the same time I was curious as to his solution as I'm having a similar issue now.
I do have a separate post on this. Too bad the original posters don't come back and enlighten the forum what the eventual solution was.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:10 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Haha. We love it when people come back and post the solutions because that helps everyone else. Doesn't happen as much as we like but when it does, that is priceless information. Thanks.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 5:19 PM

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