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Engine will not start?

Tiny
KENNYC_KORNY
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Engine Performance problem
1993 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive 146000 miles

(quad 4 engine)ok I put engine oil in the trans oil so I changed the transmision filter and let the oil drain out. Now the car will not start I was driving and it shut off and locked up but it start back up. Then it died again and stayed dead. Ok then when I tryed to start it, it would make a click and the like click click click. But will not turn over we think it could be the starter or the cylanoid. But I want to make sure and the battery is new but the dash board will not light up. I need a proffesinal opinion and a round about price to get it started up if I take it to a cheap shop.
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Saturday, April 4th, 2009 AT 5:22 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 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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Saturday, April 4th, 2009 AT 6:51 AM
Tiny
STICKDISH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I just changed engines as the old one was worn out. All sensors and vacuum lines are plugged in. The engine turns over has good spark and fuel. Injectors have power that pulses at 2.5 volts. I am now scratching my head. It is a 3.3 L. Anyone got any ideas to try.
Thanks Pete
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try this

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel pump and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing.

Fuel pump and Injector/s checks out-start checking the ignition system-power to coil, coil/s itself, distributor pick-up, control module, Cam and Crankshaft sensors.

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STICKDISH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It will run with brake clean into air intake and timing marks where good when installing new engine. Compression is 185 in all 6 clyinders.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test the fuel pressure, Check injector's resistances and hook up a noid light to injector harness to check for pulses
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOWPRO575
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Engine Mechanical problem
1993 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My 93 Pontiac Grand Am V6 120,000 miles will not start and it backfires when I try to start it the fuel pump is working fine all my fuel filters are clean. One day I was driving it and out of no where it starts running rough I pulled over to try to get it started again and it wouldn't start so I left it there and two hours later I got in it and tryed to start it again and it was still having trouble starting but I kept it reved up and I drove it home it was blowing white and black smoke out of the tailpipe and then it started running fine again for a day and all the sudden it started running like that again but now it wont start at all and it backfires Can you tell me what may be wrong with it?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check if its a fuel or spark problem-do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SZEIGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,132 MILES
Cranks but won't start. Check for spark, none. Replaced the ignition control module, same result. Plenty of fuel. Checked all fuses, all good.
Tried to find a wiring to be able to check voltage at the harness going into the wiring harness but have not been able to locate one.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try checking the crankshaft position sesnor.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SZEIGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Can I check that with a vom or do I need the special tester?
I have no problem making a donation
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Yes a DVOM
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSKINNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
1993 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my car died while I was driving, and when I tried to start it, it started but the gas pedal pushed itself and revved the engine and I turned it off. Then it wouldn't start anymore. I changed the fuel filter, the spark plugs, and the air filter. Now it starts but as soon as you touch the gas, it dies.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, maybe the iac system caused the surge in idle? Are there any codes? How is the fuel pressure?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSKINNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I don't know how to check the fuel pressure. What is iac?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
As far as checking the fuel pressure, if there is a schrader valve on the fuel rail, the gage fitting goes there, if no schrader valve, you tee the gage into the supply line, just make sure there is no pressure before taking any lines loose.

The iac is idle air control, I was just speculating, it doesn't make sense that the throttle valve would move by itself. You might also check the throttle position sensor, I wouldn't replace anything without being sure. I'd check trouble-codes, your obd 1, you should be able to check codes yourself.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_aldl_16.jpg

To check codes, place a jumper between the A & B terminals of the data link connector, turn key, just till dash lites come on, no further, then the cel starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes, if there are any.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KUNATHJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
1993 Pontiac Grand Am. Wife took car to store went in for 15 min. Came out and car wouldn't start. It had a 1/4 tank of fuel when I got there. I put 1 gallon in it. It started and sputtered all the way to gas station where I filled it up took 13.5 gallons total.(Including what I put in at store) It continues to stall and sputter constantly now. It has never had issues in the past.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KUNATHJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I replaced the ICM and the coil housing and boots, spark plugs too. Coils tested at 5.71 a piece. Did not replace them. Still can't get this car started what should I try next? Anything please?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRUWOLDT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Id check for any vacuum lines that may have a slit, crack, or puncture in them. If all them come back good then try taking the Idle Air Control Sensor out (loacted on throttle body) and spray the spring end with throttle body cleaner and wipe it down the best you can. If it dont fix it but it runs better then you will have to replace the IAC which can cost in the upwards of 90, so try to clean it to the best you possibly can to avoid that cost. Check you oil to see if there is antifreeze in it (should have a green tint on dipstick in light if is) and/ or check around where the cylinder head and the block meet for oil coming out of the head gasket. If so your compression may be low due to a bad head gasket or warped head. Hope this helps and good luck!
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARRISA STREMLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 192,000 MILES
Car wont start replased coil housing plugs & boots how do I check for spark
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Get a spark tester and put it in one spark plug boot at a time and make sure the clamps on a good clean engine ground, ahve someone crank the vehicle and you observe the spark.

Shoudl be bright, blue and well defined.

Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:17 PM (Merged)

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