Engine cranks but does not start

Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CORSICA
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 230,000 MILES
Hi, I have a problem with my car listed above 3100 engine. The car has not been driven for a while, but I was drove the car for about 2 weeks all the time. About 1 month start problem the car won't start only cranks. I put new fuel no help. I checked the spark plugs; the spark plugs were black and did not look good, but I have spark from the spark plugs. On the first time I think it was crank sensor, but if I have spark from the spark, it's not possible, yes? I will replace the spark plugs this week, but what next if the spark does not help to start the engine? The fuel filter has not been replaced in a long time. Thanks
Saturday, February 12th, 2022 AT 12:08 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

If you spray some carburetor cleaner into the air filter, does the car start and shut off?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

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

That will tell us if it is a fuel-related issue. I would rent a gauge from the parts store and measure the actual pressure as well.

Fuel Pressure:

Ignition "On" Engine "Off" .................... 40.5 to 47.0 PSI

With Regulator Vacuum Applied [1] ..... 3.0 to 10.0 PSI Less than Ignition "On" Engine "Off".

Roy

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Saturday, February 12th, 2022 AT 3:47 AM
Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hi. Thanks, Roy! I spray some carburetor spray into the air, but the is the same not starting.
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Saturday, February 12th, 2022 AT 6:50 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, you need to test for the spark to the plugs. I attached a guide for you to follow.

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

Let me know the results.

Roy
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Saturday, February 12th, 2022 AT 6:59 AM
Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I check for spark. I have spark from the spark plugs, but the spark is so dirty and black.
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Saturday, February 12th, 2022 AT 7:33 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to jump in on this if the plugs are black and dirty then they sound fouled. I would suggest changing them first and recheck.

This may solve the not starting issue but we may have a rich condition to address next, but we can get a new post started on that once we solve the no start issue.

Below is a chart that shows common issues with plugs and how to read them. If they are black, then that is too much fuel when running.
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hi, I have the carbon spark on this photo I try to change the sparks.
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds great. Yeah. If your plugs look like the carbon spark, then they are fouled due to excess fuel. That may get the engine running but as I said, we will then need to tackle why it is running rich so we can get a new post started for that issue.

Let us know what you find. Thanks
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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay, now I changed new spark plugs six spark plugs and I checked, but now I don't have any spark on the spark! The car still won't start and I don't know what happened the last time they had some spark on the spark. I try to remove the crank sensor but it stuck so hard I couldn't remove it.
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 4:32 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is strange because if all you did was change the plugs then that shouldn't affect this. However, the place to start is from the beginning so let's check the fuse and just make sure you have a good fuse and power on both sides of it.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Then go to the DIS and start checking voltage from the ECM. Clearly the crank sensor is the likely cause, but we could have other issues.

However, the most likely thing is the fuse blew so let me know what you find. I attached the wiring diagram below.
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Friday, February 18th, 2022 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
SHAYRIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I check the fuse all fine. I think its crank sensor because it looks so bad and looks so bad and with a lot of oil and it look so old like I didn't replace it for 20 years.
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 1:47 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds like a plan. I attached the info from the manual on this.

Let us know how it works out. Thanks
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 6:15 AM

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