Cranks but wont start

Tiny
SHEETS26
  • MEMBER
  • GMC
I have a 1986 chevelote celebrity and one day I was having problems with it and it was cutting in and out. But when it cut out if u left it for awhile it turn on. But went and put gas in it and went across the street and shut it of the it wouldnt start back up what could be the problem? It crankc but dosent start and if it does start only for a second and cuts off please help
Thursday, May 4th, 2006 AT 2:08 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
LOSONE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,616 POSTS
For us to be able to assist you, it is absolutely necessary for you to include the make, model, year and mileage of your car.

However you must first check the basics for spark and fuel. Let me know
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Thursday, May 4th, 2006 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
SHEETS26
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1986 chevelote celebrity 100+ miles well the car set for 3 years and my sister in-law gave it to me we got it runnung but then it did that. Its getting the fuel so how would I check for spark?
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Thursday, May 4th, 2006 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
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Pull a wire off the plug, use an INSULATED screw driver, put it in the plug wire hole and hold the driver close to metal, it should arc about 1/2" Better yet get a mechanic to do it Good Luck
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Thursday, May 4th, 2006 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
SHEETS26
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It not that any other suggestions?
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Friday, May 5th, 2006 AT 11:44 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,616 POSTS
Go back to basics. In order for an engine to run you must have fuel, spark, and combuston in time.

No spark maybe the ignition module in the disttributer
No fuel maybe the fuel pump.

If you have both you, must have combustion in time with the firing cycle. (Timing gear and chain?)

Let me know what you have checked.
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Saturday, May 6th, 2006 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
SHEETS26
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  • 25 POSTS
It not the timing chain there fuel but how would I check the iginition modual. Is it expensive.
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Saturday, May 6th, 2006 AT 2:35 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
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Get a good one from a parts store not the "zone." About $25.00 or less. It is inside the distributer cap on the bottom edge of the distributer. Not a hard job once you have the module in your hand and can see how it looks.
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Saturday, May 6th, 2006 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
CHRIS WILCZYNSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
An 86 has a dis sytem?
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Saturday, May 6th, 2006 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,616 POSTS
No it has electronic ignition with a module in the distributer since the late 70's
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Saturday, May 6th, 2006 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
SHEETS26
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Have changed the spark plugs, wires, iginiton modual. Dis. Cap still wont staart any suggestions?
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Monday, May 8th, 2006 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
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Now with the new parts do you have spark to the plugs and fuel to the injectors?
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Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
SHEETS26
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Yes we have spark and we have fuel. Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,616 POSTS
This is an old mechanics trick. The cylinders have washed down with gas and sitting and you have lost compression which is the 3rd element needed for an engine to run.

Pull all the plugs, put about a tablespooon of engine oil in each cyl. Spin the engine a bit.
Put another table spoon in each cyl, replace the plugs. Make sure they are clean and the engine should start.

Did you get rid of all the old gas in the tank and fuel system cleaned of the old gas. Gas spoils after 12-18 months. Let me know
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Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
SHEETS26
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Wel what was worng is spark plugs wasnt in right firing order. Now the car starts driveable but. It idles fast and when u go to stop it dies but starts right back up any suggestions?
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Saturday, May 20th, 2006 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
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On the side of the throttle body there is an Idle Air Controller. It is either on throttle linkage or a large device screwed into the body. Remove it and clean the carbon both on the unit and the hole in the throttle body Good luck
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Sunday, May 21st, 2006 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
SHEETS26
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  • 25 POSTS
Also where is the fuse located at in the car. I know there a box under stiring wheel but is there another one under hood?
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Sunday, May 21st, 2006 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
LOSONE
  • MECHANIC
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There are fusable links on the starter and the fuse panel is under the dash in line with the left knee.
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Sunday, May 21st, 2006 AT 6:03 PM

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