Engine cranks but wont start up?

Tiny
JRILE009
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 51,000 MILES
I have a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 2 wheel drive 4.3L V6. I recently replaced the fuel pump because the truck would not start. Replacing the pump fixed the problem, but now its doing the same two mouths later. Cranks but will not start. Yesterday I left for work the truck started and ran for about four miles and then it just quit. No noises, no smoke nothing. I checked all the fuses and attached a test light to one of the plugs. No fire. Attached a code scanner to the truck and it will not even power up. I tried the scanner on another vehicle and it worked fine. I pulled a plug, lots of gas on it. Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 AT 5:24 AM

23 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a crankshaft angle sensor that is not working right. We just had one of these trucks in the shop with the same problem. After testing we found the crankshaft sensor to be bad and once we replaced it everything came back to life. you will need to have the sensor programmed in at a shop which runs about $80.00

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

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

This guide can help as well

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

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
RANGER NATION
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Hey guys, 05 chevy silverado 4.3 cranks but won't start. Getting fuel. Fairly new cap rotor, wires and ac Delco plugs. Removed cap to check for anything out of the ordinary. All looks good. Replaced crank sensor. Check spark at plugs, seems ok but not that bright. Still crank and won't start, sometimes when cranking engine will try to but nothing. Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
JESSICA SANDERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey ranger nation I'm having the exact same problem with my 05 chevy. Truck tries to turn over but wont fire. Replaced cap and rotor just this afternoon and it still will not start.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Jessica,
Please use the following link to ask this as a new question. Include all information about the vehicle and what it did prior to this problem. Such as you were driving it and it just shut off, or you went out and it wouldn't start. This is because the add-on posts like yours get overlooked, starting it as a new question put's it on the new list where everyone sees it.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
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Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
ALEX LIPSCOMB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.3L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 186,837 MILES
I have the truck listed above with a five speed transmission. I just replaced the ignition coil to get it running after six months. Now, I go to start it today and it is not working. The plugs, wires, cap, and rotor are all one year old. The battery is about four months, but it is not a battery issue because everything else works. Just does not start
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Have you determined if the engine is getting spark and fuel?

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Here are the specs for fuel pump pressure:

Fuel Pressure (Key "on", engine "off"). 379-427 kPa (55-62 psi)

Check these things and let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBBY LEONARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
When I go to start the engine will not start, it will time out on the relay. Once it does this once it will start and run fine. This vehicle was in the Chevrolet Shop for one month and no help. Computer replaced, cam sensor replaced, crank sensor replace. No help. Fuel pressure bleed off was check along with fuel pressure and no problems were discovered. Chevrolet is stumped, told me to drive it awhile to see if codes would develop. Nothing yet. Giving you guys a shot to see if you might have a idea or direction to go next.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
We accept the challenge.

Let's start with what the fuel pressure is and how long it takes to bleed down 10 PSI.

Then do you have a scan tool that can monitor the live data? If not we need to see what they replaced the PCM and cam sensor. That info will help us try to put some more pieces together.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBBY LEONARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So I have no data about how long it took to bleed down, the only knowledge I have is that the dealership went to that first and monitored it overnight and stated they found no issues with bleed down.
They replaced the PCM with a new one only to test my PCM, they stated that did not fix or change the way the vehicle acted.
They then instructed me that it could be one of those sensors but did not change without talking to me. I made the decision to replace both due to the mileage of the vehicle as they told me that was the next logical place to diagnose. This brought no change to the situation.

More information for clues:

The vehicle never did this before, I had a new motor installed by a reputable place locally and got it back with this problem. I was referred to the dealer as all connections were made properly.
I have problems with my stereo not having sound come through the speakers occasionally, and sometimes the locks are intermittent with the keyless entry. Both are ran by the BCM. My thoughts are if the timer for the starter relay is in the BCM this might rectify if replaced.
Still no codes yet.
Another dealer mechanic in passing in public guessed that there is a problem with the vehicle finding timing, don't know but makes sense.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. Can you get a video of what it does? Clearly I understand that it cranks and does not start and then times out. Then fires up but seeing it may help trigger something.

It is interesting about the new engine. Was this a used engine or brand new? Where did it come from? Clearly something happened there that is causing this so we need to dig further into it.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCTORD_FL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.6L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Yesterday.
Failed on first try, then started on second try.

Today.
Started and I backed up 25 feet and stalled.
Will not restart.

Battery is good, cranks strong.
Primed fuel filter on 2 strokes.
Will not start.

Checked for codes.
C0055 and C0201 (ABS codes).
This should not keep from starting.

My thoughts are.
Possible bad fuel pump.
Or Bad crankshaft sensor.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCTORD_FL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Problem solved.

Fuel filter changed.
Started up on second try.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros. Com.

I am glad to hear you got it running. If you run into any trouble or need information, let us know.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
89CHEVYBLAZER
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 202,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above 1500 model. I replaced crank sensor, fuel pump, fuel filter. I have fuel up into my rails at 54 pounds. I have spark, but the truck will not start and I have no codes.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, see if it will start for a couple seconds using starting fluid. If it does, then we need to check for an injector pulse. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
89CHEVYBLAZER
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I have injector pulse and it will start on starting fluid.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

If it will start with starting fluid, then ignition is good. It indicates a fuel pressure issue. If you have an injector pulse, good fuel pressure, and ignition, it should run. It is unlikely that all injectors have failed at the same time or even plugged. Are you sure nothing is blocking pressure at the rail? Were the injectors removed and not installed correctly? Something is stopping fuel from entering the engine.

Joe
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY KYLE WALLACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I recently had this problem about a month back, I changed the camshaft position sensor and it started working again then I went ahead and changed the crankshaft position sensor, distributor cap and rotor, throttle position sensor and ignition control module; now I'm back with the same problem truck cranks but won't start up. If I push the gas pedal to the floor and try to start it up it backfires through the throttle body and exhaust. Any ideas what it could be?
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,412 POSTS
Here is a link on troubleshooting a crank no start and what to check:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

The first thing you need to do is check your fuel pressure.

Here is another link on checking fuel pressure. Chevrolet is notorious for bad fuel pumps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Another quick way to see if it is the fuel pump is by tapping on the bottom of the fuel tank with a mallet while someone turns the key to crank the engine. When a truck would get towed to the shop I would do this so that I could drive the truck into my bay to save all that energy from pushing. It does not always work and that is why you need to check the fuel pressure.

You can usually rent a fuel pressure gauge from your local parts store. If your vehicle is struggling to start and backfires that can be caused by low fuel pressure. Please let us know what the readings are to further advise and check out those 2 links.
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANGER NATION
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.3L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Engine cranks good, new battery. But will not start. Checked fuel pressure. Good 55 psi. Checked distributor cap and rotor. Fairly new cap and rotor, looks good. Checked spark at coil, good spark. Checked spark at number one plug. Has spark not very bright. Installed new crank sensor. Still just cranks and will not start. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you
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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)

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