Answer: Sounds like you may have a faulty fuel injector or coolant sensor or oxygen sensor.

Question: 1992 Ford F150 4WD Inline 6 mileage: 105,000.  92 Ford F150 on a cold start will roll over but not start. Replaced fuel filter, fuel pump (3), pressure regulator, spark plugs, coil, rotor cap and fuses.  When turnkey to start the pump will not shut off.  Try over and over, when the pump finally shuts off you can start the truck.  Ford dealership hooked to computer -- no codes said it was fuel pump.  We replaced with 3rd one, still same thing.  Checked the inertia switch.  Help!   Tired of replacing parts!

Answer: If your truck is equipped with two gas tanks, each tank has a fuel pump and both pumps must be replaced at the same time.  We know what you are think – why both pumps.  The answer is because Ford designed the system so that one pump is dependent upon the other for proper function of the entire system.  There is no selector valve between the two tanks.

Question: 1991 Toyota Camry 4/cyl mileage: 106k.  Had problems w/starter r & r'd starter hooked up booster cables wrong now it wont do anything checked fuses and fuse link?

Answer: Use a 12-volt test light and start checking the circuit from the battery on.

Question: 1986 Chevrolet / Cavalier 2.0 liter 4 cyl  mileage: 120,000.   I am having an intermittent no start condition. I have replaced the fuel pump and checked the fuel system.  I have also replaced the electronic control module (3) times, the pick-up coil, the ignition coil, distributor cap and rotor, and all of the pigtail leads.   Whenever the problem occurs all I have to do is release the (4) terminal pigtail (Which I have replaced) to the electronic control module and replug it to the module and the car starts.  During the no start, condition there is no spark.  Do you Gentlemen have an idea as to what is causing the problem?

Answer: When you replaced the electronic control modules, did you use the old prom in the new module?  If you did, we believe this could be your problem.

Question: 1964 VW Beetle 1200 cc mileage: 55,000.  I am 14 years old. I just bought this classic and it ran for a long time (a week). I have had it for less than a month. I want to know why it won’t start. It turns over but won't start. I’m getting worried because I don’t know how long the gas should sit in there before getting bad and causing other problems. I know the car has 40-horse power it’s a type one and it’s an air-cooled engine. The oil is black. When changing the oil it recommends I run the car for a couple of minutes before but I can’t even start the car. 14 years old seems young to get a car but I loved cars since I was born and I’m buying the car myself.  PLEASE HELP my classic 1964 VW BEETLE.  Thank you you’re the best (only if you help) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

Answer: Three things are necessary for an engine to run, compression, spark at the right time and a proper amount of fuel.  Check compression of the engine, spark at the spark plugs and fuel in the carburetor.  By following this procedure, you will be able to determine why your car will not run.

Question: 1996 Chevy K-1500 Z-71 350 mileage: 60,245.  After sitting for 4-8 hours my truck is harder to start. It starts but turns over a longer time than it does when the engine is at operating temperature.  This has been progressively getting worse for approx. 2-3 weeks.  After starting, it runs fine.  There is no missing or idling problems, just harder to start than normal.   Could you please advise as to what some possible problems might be?  It has never been hard to start.

Answer: Your hard starting problems may be caused by a weak or faulty fuel pump and possibly a fuel regulator.  This can be tested by installing an inline fuel pressure gauge and duplicating the four to eight hour wait for the hard start and then reading the fuel pressure.

Question: 1992 Honda Accord LX 4 cyl mileage: 94,000.  My car just quit running. I can turn it over but it won't start.  I have a new timing belt so it isn't that.  We pulled a spark plug wire, put a screwdriver in it, and tried to start it.  It isn't getting any spark.  Help please. Thanks.

Answer: Your symptoms would indicate that the “new” timing belt may not be so new any more because a faulty timing belt would not drive the distributor thus no spark.  If the timing belt is okay, it could be that the distributor itself is faulty, a Honda weak link.

Question: 1984 Ford Tempo 2.3L? mileage: 130,000.  Dear B&K-Please help!  I've checked many of your FAQs first.  Engine is NOT the diesel; it has got a 1-barrel carburetor, New Distributor/EIM, new Starter, New Battery, new water pump.  Fuel Pump replaced couple of yrs ago.  Fuel filter/plugs are 3-4 yrs old.  I drive 7,000 mi/yr.  For last yr, I had maddening intermittent start problems: fine sometimes, then tough start or start/stall and wait hours, then ok start.  This wore out starter.  I just replaced it.   Now, 2 problems: A.I get a strong crank, but it gives me trouble starting (cold starts esp) - but, if I use a squirt of starter fluid, it starts up great.  Also, B. it now wants to (and does) stall at idle speeds, i.e., when slowing in traffic, to stop or turn, and may refuse to restart for a while, as if flooded.  Keeping foot on the gas avoids stalling, and it runs fine at speed.  Why?  Thanks.

Answer: Check for vacuum leaks and proper operation of the choke.  There is a possibility that you may need a carburetor overhaul.

Question: 1984 Ford Escort 4 cyl mileage: 91,000.  We recently installed a new timing belt on my car and it only has approximately 500 miles on the new belt.  The car has always pretty much run good, and started great.  One day I tried to start my car and even till now it turns over great but won't start.   So we pulled all the plugs out first of all under the hood it says to use only motor craft plugs and the previous owner had champions in it so we put in all new plugs cause the 4th plug was real bad-the center part of the plug was burnt away that leads up to the l shaped top part of the plug.  Even with new plugs it still turns over good but won't start so they removed the timing belt cover and it had teeth chewed up on it already after only 500 miles.  I was told by someone that a valve could be burnt or shattered but I am confused cause it ran good) could this be possible or what it your advice.  I look forward to hearing from you real soon.  Thank you  

Answer: Check the water pump.  The timing belt drives the water pump.  If the water pump is frozen, it will strip the belt.  There is a very chance that the valves may be damaged or bent.

Question:   1998 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4 mileage: 45,000.  Dash lights keep flashing on and off not often mostly in the mornings, now car will not start.  What could cause this?

Answer:    From what you tell us, it sounds like you may be having trouble with your charging system.  Have your battery load tested and check the alternator output for voltage and amperage.

Question: 1990 Toyota/Camry V-6 mileage: 150,000.  Intermittent starting problem. After a long drive and the engine gets hot, it can't be started.  The engine cranked but it won't turn over.  After about an hour or so, it can be started again and run great.  Whenever this car can't be started, it can be jumped.  The battery is new so is the timing belt.  What caused this problem?  Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Answer:    Check to see that the battery has a sufficient amp rating for your car.  An amp draw on the starter is also in order here.

Question: 1993 Nissan Altima 2.4 litre twin cam mileage: 77,110.  Recently, when I have been starting the car in the morning, it has started up but runs at a rough idle for a couple of minutes before it smoothes out.  I went outside this evening to move the car, but it would not start at all.  It just turns over but does not start; it just winds over and over.  I know a little about cars, but know nothing about fuel injection systems, but my guess is it has something to do with it not starting.  Please educate me as to what the problem could be?

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: 1998 Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cyl mileage: 24,000.  I neglected to have my oil change for almost 2 years. I was in a wreck recently and had my car towed to the dealership for repair.  My car was running fine.  After a month, I picked it up and the body shop manager told me he test-drove it and it was running fine.   I go to exit and then the car gives out on me.  I am told it will cost $3800 for a new engine since the oil pump is clogged and its not going to be covered under warranty.  I think I should get a 2nd opinion or change the oil pump myself.

Answer:   From what you have described, changing the oil pump will probably not fix your problem.  If the oil pump stopped working, severe engine damage is likely.  A new/rebuilt engine may be necessary.  The only way to tell for sure is to tear down and inspect the old engine.   We wish we good give you better news.

Question: 1990 Ford Bronco II 2.9 mileage: 105,000.  Engine starts fine cold.  When I restart it after warming it up, it just cranks and does not start no matter how long I turn the starter over.  However, if I turn the key off after 1-2 seconds and retry, immediately the vehicle runs fine every time.   Thanks 

Answer:   Your no-start problem may be one of two things.   The first may be a faulty ignition switch and the second a bad fuel pump.

Question: 1988 Mercury Cougar 3.8 l V-6 mileage: 100,000.  About three days ago, the car would no start, and I replaced the engine module on the distributor.  After I replace it, the engine would not keep the car running, so I drove it home holding the engine between the start and the run position.  Now the car will not do anything; no start, no radio, nothing.   The battery is only a few months old.  Please help, thank you.

Answer:   It appears, from what you have described, that a faulty ignition switch may be causing your car not to start.

Question: 1998 Saturn SL2 1.8 mileage: 30,000.  I could not start the engine this morning. It acted like it was flooded or the starter was stuck.  Therefore, I waited awhile and tried again - same thing happened.  I just had a complete 30,000-mileage service done.  I had it towed to a dealer and they said it was fine.  It started for them.  It seems strange that it would be flooded.  Is it possible that could have been the problem? 

Answer: A fuel pump that is starting to go bad may cause the problems you are having.  Check the fuel pump electrical draw, it should be 6 to 9 amps.  If it is high than that, replace the pump.

MORE: Engine wont start questions

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