Car engine turns over but does not crank

ANTHONYT101

MEMBER
1979 CHEVROLET MALIBU
4.4L
V8
AUTOMATIC
22,500 MILES

Drove car fine for last four months no problems except it stalls or cuts off at times while sitting at a red light. I tried to crank one morning the engine turn over but will not crank. I replaced the alternator, starter, plugs, fuses, and ignition coil, still does the same thing. It also keep draining the battery when I try to crank it. It is getting gas into the carburetor. I do not know.

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

You may want to replace your fuel filter.

A repair manual specifically for your vehicle would aid you greatly in your regular maintenance (knowing what/ when to replace things) and also in repairs.

Other than possible vacuum leaks, my guess is your carburetor may need some tuning(maybe a rebuild).

It is hard to see it from here.

Check for vacuum leaks and tweak on the carburetor for starters.

Here is a guide for vacuum leaks.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

I am going to throw in an answer I gave a good while back.

In general it is the same kind of stuff, but this was specifically given to a Jeep CJ.

As I am a Jeep CJ kind of guy myself.

Your 'stuff' may look a little different, the procedures are pretty much the same. (a repair manual might aid in identifying your stuff and any specifics)

I would skip over everything in the post until you get to the carburetor tuning part, see if that part can be "translated" to fit your carburetor. Grant it, this is a long thread, not something quick and simple.

Here is the post. This guy kind of started not knowing a whole lot!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/jeep-cj7-1985-jeep-cj7-stalls-when-hot

Let us know how things are going.

The Medic