My engine wont start for days, then starts?

Tiny
SUSIEWHIT
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 193,000 MILES
I have a 2005 Chevy Venture. And it will run for a couple of days and then it wont start. Its like its out of gas but its not. Ive had the head gaskets replaced, done a tune up, and put on a new fuel pump and filter. Can you tell me what else it could be? The van will act like it want to start but doesnt its almost as though its not getting any gas but if I wait 2 to 3 days and go back and try to start it, it will start right up with no problem and runs good for the next few days then it a repeat
Thursday, January 12th, 2012 AT 6:44 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When the problem is ongoing, have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. To check for spark, pull a spark plug wire, use known good plug or tester in the boot. Ground metal part of tester to metal part of engine, watch for spark, engine cranking. With intermittent issues, you have to test when problem is ongoing. This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, January 12th, 2012 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
SUSIEWHIT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the guides they help me see the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced.
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Thursday, January 12th, 2012 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, January 12th, 2012 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 68,000 MILES
The van ran out of gas. I put 5 gallons of gas in and it only spins. It will not start. Is there any kind of reset switch or could the fuel pump have burned up?
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,089 POSTS
Chances are the pump went bad. Check to see if there is fuel pressure at the fuel rail. If there isn't, you need to remove the fuel tank and check to see if there is power to the pump. If there is, chances are the pump went bad.

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

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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GANCAN72
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
My chevy venture van ran out of gas the other day. I put 4-5 gallons in and it still will not start. Have tried starting fluid, tapping on gas tank and still nothing. The tow driver said he did not hear the fuel pump humming. Is it shot or might it be something else? Ty
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAHNY1
  • MEMBER
  • 75 POSTS
When you ran out of gas did you leave the key on for any extended period of time, if so the pump could have burned out by trying to prime itself up, also the pump uses the fuel in the tank for cooling itself so running them out is hard on them. I would check the pump by one of two ways first I would check the pressure which can be done up on the fuel rail, or if possible listen to see if you can here it run when you turn the key on, if not check the fuses/relays
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIZ76
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Sounds like u burned out the fuel pump :o I ran mine out of gas and sure enough-- burned out the fuel pump. Kinda stinks since it fairly expensive to replace: $350.00 or so. I replaced it myself but not sure if id reccommend cuz it involves dropping the whole gas tank also some slight wiring mods due to after market fix of an apparently weak OEM plug on the fuel pumps. Not too hard of a job for a backyard mechanic though- It made me cuss a few times but I got the job done in about 3 hrs. Autozone guy said these fuel pumps are VERY fragile and prone to burnout due to running out of gas or even low gas since the fuel itself inside your gas tank is what cools the fuel pump. Hopes this helps someone. Oh btw, I had to take a trip back to the store to get the fuel line retaining clips cuz they dont come on new fuel pump so dont forget them!
Jeramy
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANNEMARIET
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Engine ranks but won't start. Can you help me?
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TERESA4614
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi I had to replace the crankshaft sensor cost me $68.00 fixed it
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANCISCA DUNCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I've purchased a new battery. I've changed fuses and relays. Last time it did start white smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Okay, an engine needs only three things to start and run, 1)Fuel, 2)Spark(delivered at the proper time), and 3)Compression. Because of the white smoke coming out of your tailpipe the last time you got your vehicle's engine started, let's start by checking your engine's compression. Here is a link down below for you to go to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOODABEH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 120,000 MILES
I have changed relay and also have taken it hundreds time to electricion, they could not find anything with it. It is driving me crazy. It will start and then I park it, it wont start. It is random and it drives me crazy because I cant rely on the car. Please help and I dont know anything about car
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,089 POSTS
What you need to do is check to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine when it won't start. One will be missing. Once you identify that, you will know which circuit to focus on.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
#1JOHN RIC#1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 3.4L
  • 125,000 MILES
Overheated, water coming from engine side of fuel injectors and will not start.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

Can you pst a picture of what you see?

How bad did it overheat?

The first thing I would do is a compression test. You may have a failed head gasket.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
#1JOHN RIC#1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It was not too bad like no water in oil, no white smoke out of tail pipe, just spun over quick then like battery is dead. Then water came up out of fuel injector from intake manifold.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Then you have water in the intake. That most likely is coming from either a failed head gasket or the intake itself.

Start with the compression test.

Roy
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE1234
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,040 MILES
My van has let me sit by not starting numerous times I had the fuel pump replaced but still have same problems get in to go wont start like a no fuel condition swapped relays do not hear fuel energize go back 2 days later van starts my run for a week or so then won't start
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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)

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