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Car and Truck Engine Will Not Start Questions

Question: 1997 Ford Taurus mileage: 55,000.   I have an intermittent problem where the car will not start (I am getting no spark on any of the plugs) the car cranks fine and I have >10 volts power to the ignition coil while cranking.  The coil is controlled by the power train control module that fires the coil by turning each of (3) grounds to the coil on and off.  I checked with a multi-meter and read a frequency to the coil during a no start occurrence.  Ford replaced the PAT module and I replaced the ignition coil and battery.  The coil ground is ok and the battery voltage is good.  The problem is that the car starts working in about 1 hour so I have had bad luck getting it to fail while at a service shop.  I towed it once to ford while it was not starting and their computer could not find the problem.  The car works perfectly once it starts.  Help!  Any suggestions?

Answer: Two things come to mind that may be causing your problem.  First is a faulty mass air-flow sensor and second a faulty cam or crank angle sensor.

Question: 1993 Olds Bravada 4.3l v6 mileage: 93,000.  About 20% of the time, the car will not start properly.  It may start but very rough for 3-5 seconds, or not start at all until cranked over for about 10-15 seconds, when it finally catches.  Once running it is fine.  I had it to the dealers, where they did a complete tune up, plugs, wire, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter, and several sensors, which did not help at all.  Then they replaced the fuel pump, and dampener, which did not help.  It makes no difference whether the car is parked uphill, downhill, or level, or how much gas in tank?   It makes no difference whether the car is warm or cold.  Sometimes it starts fine, and other times it doesn't.  Any helpful suggestions.  The dealer’s methods of replacing parts is getting expensive, with no results.  Thanks

Answer: Check for leaky fuel injectors.  Check fuel pump pressure, if possible, when it will not start.  Also, check for spark when it will not start.  If the computer has not been scanned, do so now.

Question: 1986 Chevy Astro AWD 6 cylinder mileage: 77,000.  Recently our '96 Astro has stopped running, at times.  We have had it into Firestone twice, the local Chevy dealer (for four days) and a local repair shop twice.  Both Firestone and the repair shop recognize a problem, and had recommended that we take it to the dealer.   The dealer says the car is O.K. and the only thing wrong was a dead battery.  The battery wasn't dead prior to taking it in; I think the dealer ran it down.  The Astro will not start on some occasions after sitting over night, but then starts fine the next day.  When it doesn't start, it cranks over fine, and you can hear the fuel pump running (buzz).  When driving it you can feel the engine missing, some times so bad the car stalls, and at other times just a little.  When it misses or doesn't start the Service Engines Soon light comes on.   1st - Firestone replaced the fuel filter.   They put it on their machine and said it had a "Cold Starting" issue and to take it to the dealer.  2nd - Dealer said they put it on the machine and it was OK.   They replaced the battery.  3rd - Local shop found high voltage (25 to 35) going to the plugs so they replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires and PCV valve.  The second time they said they suspected the fuel injector poppets sticking and put fuel injector cleaner in the gasoline.  They checked the fuel pressure and said it was OK.  Right now, the car sits in the driveway, and has to have it towed (for the fourth time this month) to someone to repair.

Answer:   Try replacing the fuel pump and all six fuel injectors.  It has been our experience that your problem is not unique.

Question: 1987 Nissan Hard body 4x4 3.0 mileage: 244,000.  I am a mechanic and this has 4 others baffled.  I can go out in the morning and start the truck and it runs great.  When I go into gear and drive it dies.  I loses spark and dumps fuel at the same time.  Now you have to wait about 2 hrs to start it again.  It has a new distributor, coil, and cap/rotor.  I did the tap test on the computer.  If you crank it for a while it will finally spark.  So can you help...thanks.

Answer: Scan the computer for trouble codes.  Check for faulty sensors.  With an Ohmmeter, check the ground connections to the computer.  You may also have a bad computer.

Question: 1990 Ford Taurus 3.0L mileage: 83,000.  My car will not start, the engines did not crank at all.  My suspicion is the ignition coil, but the tests that I follow using the Haynes guide seems to indicate that the coil is still within specifications.  I also suspect maybe the ignition module is bad, but the book told me only authorized repair could fix the ignition module.  If you have any suggestion, I will be very grateful.  Thank you.

Answer:   Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question: 1990 Honda 2.2 mileage: 140,000.  No start condition. No spark.  Took it to school and replaced, coil, igniter (control module), plugs, wires, new Honda cap and rotor.   Computer was giving code 15.  Played around with a few wires (did not do much), and code went away and I tried to start and it worked fine!  Drove around for a day, then it died.  I had it starting, and then it would die.  Now it will not start at all (still now spark) now I guess either my computer is bad or I need a new distributor (with new pickup coil and sensors inside the distributor available only with new distributor) I am still getting a code 15 (which I guess means ignition output signal).  Now I replaced fuel filter and it was tough and I bent a fuel line and I think I have some fuel getting clogged new the Filter because it was a cheap aftermarket and it did not fit totally right, but I have yet to install my new Honda filter.  Can a fuel problem trigger a no spark?  I have no spark available from the spring thing on the ignition coil either.  What do you think, ECU, distributor, or fuel problem triggering no spark?  Thanks, as this problem is really getting to me!

Answer:   The no start problem that you referred to in your question will probably be fixed if you replace the distributor that has the new pick-up coil and sensor.

Question: 1990 Pontiac Bonneville 3,8 _mileage: 113,000.  Starting problem when ambient temperature below 0 degrees C. Error code 43 (ESC).  This module replaced.  OK for couple of days.  Then again, code 43 (ESC).  What should be done next?

Answer:   Code 43 is knock sensor – replacing it should fix your problem.

Question: 1995 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl mileage: 105,000.  I hadn't had any recent problem with my car starting. I had a new started put on it last summer.   A few days ago, I went out to start it and it didn't cooperate.  The battery is charged and it sounds like it is trying to turn over.  The night before the temperature outside dropped below 0, and I only had 1/4 of a tank of gas.  I think my gas line is frozen.  So how do I unfreeze it?  I tried "Heet" in the gas tank, but it didn't help.  Any ideas?

Answer:   If your gasoline line is frozen, using a small hand-held hair dryer to warm the gas line should fix your problem.

Answer:  Check for an electrical pulse at injectors while cranking.   A weak crank-angle sensor could also be the cause your problem.

Question: 1989 Pontiac Grand Am  mileage: 88,000.  The car does turn over, but does not fire.  Could this be the modular or maybe something else?  Please let me know as soon as possible.

Answer:  Here are some things to have checked: 1.  Check to see if the timing belt/chain has failed,  2.  Check for ignition spark at spark plugs,  3.  Check for fuel pressure.

Question:   1989 Probe 4 cyl non-turbo mileage: 180,000.  Engine rotates but doesn't start; I've got spark at all plugs and the plugs have been replaced. I have gas flow past the filter and the timing belt is in good shape with no missing teeth.  The air filter is okay.  I'm not sure what the codes are for the Probe or how to clean the injectors.  I also replaced the distributor cap and rotor just for fun.

Answer:   Three things are needed for an engine to run: compression, proper amount of fuel and spark at the right time.  Try starting with a compression check and fuel pressure check.

Question: 1996 Nissan 200sx GA16DE mileage: 30,000.  My wife's car decided not to start this AM.  We've never had any mechanical problems before.  The engine is turning over ok, and it seems like it wants to catch, but nothing.  I've let the car sit just in case the engine was flooded.  Went back and tried about 2 hours later, but the same.  Turns over, and wants to catch, but nothing.  I don't want to keep trying in case the battery dies.  Any suggestions?

Answer:   First check for fuel pressure.  The pump may have failed.  If okay, check for spark at the spark plugs.  Next, scan PCM (computer) for fault or error codes.

Question: 1986 Isuzu pup 2.3L mileage: 199,000.  After sitting in the driveway overnight my car will start just fine. It will then run for about 20 minutes then it will stop dead.  It will not start for about 2 hours, but after that, it will start fine.  It seems to stop as soon as the engine gets up to normal temperature.  So, I suspect some type of heat sensor.  Please help!

Answer:   When the engine will not start, check for spark at the spark plugs.  The ignition module or pick-up coil may be faulty.

Question: 1995 Ford Taurus 3.5  6 cyl mileage: 110,000.  My car will not start, the engine cranks but will not turn over.  First, this was an intermittent problem.  With the key in the ignition, I noticed that if I pressed the door lock switch, the doors did not lock/unlock and it sounded as though the window motor was running.  After 10-15 minutes, the door lock switch would respond properly and the car would start normally.  Now, as soon as the door is open the sound begins even without the key in the ignition.

Answer:   You have a very strange problem.  Check wiring for damage or loose connections.  Also, check the main power wires.  Possibly, you have a bad ignition switch.  Just very hard to tell from here.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.8 liter mileage: 24,000.  Had trouble getting van started today. Had it jumped and it drove fine, but the speedometer or tachometer was not working.  When I turned the engine off it would not restart.  Battery is in good shape.  Is this my alternator, voltage regulator or something more costly?

Answer:   Have battery load tested.  Check alternator output and check for voltage drain with the key off.

Question: 1966 Ford Mustang 200 mileage: 77,000.  My car will start right back up after I shut it off, but when it sets overnight, I have to dump gas in the carburetor to get it started, is it my carburetor sticking or the fuel pump?  I just bought it and it runs great otherwise what do you think the problem might be.

Answer:   Check the choke to see that it is operating properly.  Also, check fuel pump after the car sets overnight.  If the valves in the fuel pump are leaking, it may be causing your hard starting problem.

Question: 1996 Pontiac Sunfire mileage: 36,000.   When I put the key in the ignition it will not turn.  The key is not broken and will go in and out freely.  A friend said that my car may have an anti-theft device that locks the ignition if someone tries to put the wrong key in it (my mother borrowed the car), is that a possibility?  If it is, how do I get it unlocked?  If it isn't, what else could be the problem?

Answer:   Try putting the key in the ignition and turn the key while turning or rocking the steering wheel left and right.  The steering wheel lock sometimes binds the ignition switch.

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