Fuel pump, crank no start

Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN L300
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 102,000 MILES
Car started for 1/4 of a second then cranked over. So I let sit 30 seconds and it started. Went to work and came home for lunch. Never started again.
Crank but no start. Fuel pump can't hear 2 seconds key on. No fuel pressure. Replaced fuel pump still nothing. Crankshaft position sensor was replaced 5 years ago don't know what to do next.
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM

70 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
Check the 15-amp fuel pump fuse first. If it's okay, a quick check is to swap the fuel pump relay with one of the other ones like it. If you still don't hear the fuel pump run for two seconds when you turn on the ignition switch, we'll have to make some voltage tests in that circuit. The best tool for that is a test light. If you don't have one, you can find a perfectly good one at Harbor Freight Tools, any hardware store, or any auto parts store.

Here's a link to an article on how to use it, if you need it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Fuses check out okay. I did swap the relay for the wiper relay same number. Weird thing is I left wiper relay out but wiper still worked. Also I notice before I put new pump in was my gas gauge didn't work when key in on position.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Like to add that today I jump the relay and fuel pump came on and fuel entered the line but still no start. But nothing at all with relay in and swapped out with same relay.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 12th, 2020 AT 5:11 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
On most car models you should hear the fuel pump run for one second when you turn on the ignition switch, then it turns on again during engine rotation, (cranking or running). I might have sent you down the wrong path by your observation the fuel pump is dead for that initial one second. I should have had you check for spark first. Most crank / no-starts involve a loss of fuel pump, injector pulses, and spark, all at the same time.

Find an injector that you can back-probe through the connector next to the wires. Use the wire that is the same color at all of them. You should find 12 volts there, but I can't tell if that is all the time the ignition switch is on or if it's for just that one second. If you let me know, I'll add a notation to the diagram I posted earlier.

There must be 12 volts at the injectors when you're cranking the engine. If there is not, we need to look at the main relay circuit, and the fuel pump relay is just a part of that circuit.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, January 12th, 2020 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I will do that and post back what I find. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 12th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Do I need to remove the intake to get to injectors? I'm pretty sure it's not getting spark.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
Yes, intake has to come off to replace the injectors, but I was hoping you could reach the connector on any one of them to take the voltage reading without doing that. If you must remove the plenum to do the voltage test, I'll try to figure out an easier way to do that.

I apologize that I didn't make these easier to read. Step 4 at the very top of the second drawing says to remove the intake plenum.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I was really hoping I didn't have to do that. Seems like that's when I start breaking s*** when I take things apart that i'm not familiar with, but I got to get this car fixed. Ugh. It's not firing so assuming that much what else can I look at. Crankshaft sensor was replaced 5 years ago. Could that gone out again?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I really appreciate you taking the time to help walk me through this. Everyday I been trying something in between 2 jobs.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
Here's a different way to test this circuit. Look for "Engine Controls 3" fuse. It looks like that will be a red 10-amp fuse with two small holes on top for test points. This is actually a better place to test because while it is in the same circuit as the injectors, testing right at the injectors doesn't include this fuse in the test.

Turn the ignition switch to "run", then check the voltage on both of the test points on this fuse. If you see 12 volts on both of them, the fuse is good. If you find 12 volts on just one of them, the fuse is blown. If you find 0 volts on both test points, check again while a helper is cranking the engine. If you never see 12 volts there, swap the main relay with another one like it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Well I got 0v on both while cranking, but don't have another relay to swap out that I saw. How can I test the (3412 main) relay?
Let me add that on one side of fuse the test light was really really dim I almost didn't see that it was on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Where do I go from here? Just to update problem I have a crank no start. New fuel pump crankshaft position sensor was put in 2013, no fuel in line (pump not running 2 seconds but does when I jumper relay ) and no 12 volts at ec3 fuse both sides. I might have to send to shop because calling junkyards and can't find parts. Ugh. I know it has got to be something simple but I do not know. 98,000 miles was great running car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
We're making progress. Even if the test light was dim on one test point on a fuse, it has to be the same on the other test point if that fuse is good.

Since the fuel pump runs when you bypass the fuel pump relay, we know 12 volts is getting that far, therefore, it should also be on terminals T1 and T2 on the main relay. Pop that relay out and double check there's 12 volts on two terminals in that socket. Those are the two blue arrows in the diagram. In the rare event it is missing, there's a break inside the fuse box.

Assuming you do have 12 volts on two terminals for the main relay, either that relay is defective or it isn't being turned on. The main relay goes by other names on other car brands, but they all get turned in by the Engine Computer. The computer does that when it sees signal pulses coming from the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor, meaning the engine has to be rotating, (cranking or running). No reference is made to any sensors for your main relay. I suspect the computer turns the fuel pump relay on separately, but in this case it can't because the problem lies before that.

If you look at these charts, we're down to step 4 already. They include a lot of little steps in between the big ones, so it looks more involved than it really is. If you have the 12 volts on the two terminals in the main relay's socket, try a different relay or jump terminals T1, (blue arrow), to R2, (orange arrow), then see if the engine starts. We know one of the terminals to use. That's either one that lights up with the test light. I can't find a drawing that shows the individual terminals and their designations. Look on the bottom or on the side of the main relay to see if they have the designations shown. They're usually printed on the side on import cars and molded on the bottom for domestic cars. One of the two where the test light didn't light up has to be R2.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Thanks, I'll try that when I go home for lunch. I really appreciate it. Also I got a hold of a scanner tool if that will help pull codes and give you some more information.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Why does it have to be -6 degrees out. Brrrrrr
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I went back to test that ec3 fuse that was dim and got nothing with key on or cranking but fuse is good.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
I went back to test that ec3 fuse that was dim and got nothing with key on or cranking but fuse is good
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
Either the relay is defective or the Engine Computer isn't turning it on.

Use the scanner to see if there's any diagnostic fault codes in the Engine Computer or in the Body Computer. These charts cover the crank / no-start diagnostic procedure for use with a scanner.

Before you start this, there's one more thing regarding the main relay. If that is a gray, 1"-square relay with four really skinny terminals, (two are a little further away from the edge than the other two), their mating terminals in the fuse box are known for becoming spread, then they don't make good contact with those on the relay. Often the relay will work while you hold sideways pressure on it. If you find that, there is usually enough room to go in beside each one with a small pick to squeeze them tighter.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
Well here's the codes and whatever they mean. Not familiar with scanner but figured out how to do this part.
U2105, u2107, u2105, p2176, p0261, p0264, p0267, p0270, p0037, p0057, p0646, p0458, p05600.

And thanks a lot, I appreciate all the help you're doing. All else fails I'll just break down and take it to the shop pay that expensive bill that don't want to pay, but I need car running for my job instead of driving my Avalanche. The difference in gas mileage is crazy I'm losing money daily.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
JUGGALO45
  • MEMBER
  • 83 POSTS
What tested the three fuses related do the ECM using test light hooked to positive and all 3 fuses lit up so is the ECM grounding out somewhere or shorted?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 17th, 2020 AT 9:55 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links