Is still cranking but cannot seem to catch?

Tiny
DANIEL NELSON2
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
Need help with diagnosis. Okay, so now I changed all the spark plugs and she is still cranking but can't seem to catch. I have checked the harnesses and everything could it possibly be the fuel pump relay.
Thursday, March 13th, 2025 AT 3:43 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes it could be the fuel pump relay, but there are many other items that can cause a "no start" issue as well. I would go over this video to see what I am talking about; it goes over the easy stuff so we can get a battery idea which system has failed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE

If it runs on starting fluid, then we know it is the fuel system. Let us know how it goes.

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Friday, March 14th, 2025 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
DANIEL NELSON2
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Okay, well after checking everything it did not start with the starting fluid, but I also didn't hear anything from the fuel pump inside the gas tank, and the spark test was good too, it did spark. So, now I am still a little confused cause now it seems like it is the relay but since the starting fluid didn't work, I don't know.
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Friday, March 14th, 2025 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for going over the video. we need to check the engine compression or upload a short video of the engine cranking and I can tell if the engine is good or not. here is a guide to help you, pick up a compression gauge at the auto parts store, you can rent it for free.

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

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, March 15th, 2025 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
DANIEL NELSON2
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Here is the video requested.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It is hard to tell from the video, can you film the engine from under the hood? From what I can tell from this video it is not good, but I want to be sure.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
DANIEL NELSON2
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Yeah sure thing sorry about that.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
DANIEL NELSON2
  • MEMBER
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So anything?
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Wow, that engine is hurt, sorry. The engine will need to come apart to see what happened. You can confirm it with a compression test. Thanks for the video, it makes things easier for us.
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 AT 10:33 AM

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