Car will not start

Tiny
EJDAVIS787
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
A few nights ago I went to start my car, and it wouldn't start. The ignition made no noise at all, no clicking to indicate a dead battery or anything like that. I could hear the fuel system starting up, but that was all. None of the dashboard lights car on either. I called AAA, and they sent out the vehicle. The person who showed up immediately found it was not the battery, and proceeded to check if it was the starter or something else. He found that it was a shortage, which had caused the 40A fuse for the Ignition Switch Battery to blow. He didn't tell me that specifically at the time, though, and merely said there was a shortage in the ignition somewhere. I had the car towed to Pepboys, and the next morning they said it was the Ignition lock Cylinder, which sounded a bit off to me since I was having no problems turning the key. Before they did any work on it, we had it towed home and checked it ourselves, and found the problem with the fuse that had been found my the AAA guy. After a ton of research, we figured the problem must be the ignition coil, which we then had tested. The coil was blown and we replaced it. The car didn't start, but the fuse didn't blow and the battery was dead, so we charge the battery. The car was able to start after that, but when we turned the car off again the 40A fuse had blown once more. I've done more research, and found that the problem could either be a wire grounding out somewhere, or the alarm remote could be interferring with the car somehow. The problem with the second theory, though, is that when I bought my car used it did not come with a car alarm remote. Is there anything else that could be causing the problem?
Sunday, August 4th, 2013 AT 10:26 AM

25 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
The starting system would be the place to start. I do see the 40 amp fuse in the system.
Diagram 1 ) 2.2l vin f
Diagram 2) 3.4l vin e
This may show you things to disconnect to see if the fuse blows or a way to trace through the system. Locations are marked beside items.

Let me know if you need more information.
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Sunday, August 4th, 2013 AT 9:17 PM
Tiny
IVONNE TREVINO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 57,000 MILES
Okay, I'm having problems with the car listed above. It cranks, has fuel pressure and sparks. Also injectors pulsate, ignition module is good, crank sensors are good, timing is perfect. But no start. I just need some feed back.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Spray starting fluid in the throttle body does it start?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IVONNE TREVINO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have sprayed starting fluid and it doesn't start.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Your engine needs three things to start and run. Fuel, spark at the right time, and compression. Looks like you checked it all except compression.

Here is a guide that tales about the basics that we need for this issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Based on what I am seeing we need to do a compression check.

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

Your vehicle needs at least 100 PSI so let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELLY1980
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 155,000 MILES
I went to work and came home then after that I got in my car and tried to start it up and it will not fire up.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
You need to check for spark and fuel delivery.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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+1
Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE68
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
Hi
I went to start my car for work this morning, and the starter won't engage. The battery seems fine, but the engine won't turn over. It doesn't even try.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Try to tap on the starter with the key in the crank position. This may jar it enough to start cranking. If so, get a starter.

I assume the lights on the dash are present when key is moved to on position.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE68
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had to take the car to the dealer. The problem according to them was that the computer won't recognize the key, so they had to reflash the computer.
Thank you very much for your help.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHANE BLADES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
My car will not start I t cranks over but wont fire. I replaced the fuel pump and filter and fuel pressure regulator. What could it be?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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-1
Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RBRANDONS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 147,000 MILES
My engine won't fire off. I've changed the battery, the plugs (which are getting spark), the starter, and the crank sensor so far. It still will not start up. It turns over but as it turns over it sounds different than normal. The fuel pump is working as well. I'm thinking of changing the ignition module but I'm tired of spending money that I don't have or have to. Does any one have any suggestions?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
If it sounds different when it turns over, I suspect a broken timing belt. Have you checked timing?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RBRANDONS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I think you are right in this situation. I've never had to get this done. I couldn't do a big job, such as this, myself. What is the cost I am looking at to get this done? If it has just jumped time, what will have to be done? Can it just get re- aligned?
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
If it jumped time, then something is stretched. If you can do it yourself, I would think you could do it for under 150 dollars. Check to confirm that is the problem and let me know.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RBRANDONS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Which way do you suggest that I check the timing or if that is the problem. This particular model (2004 Oldsmobile Alero 2.2 liter, 4 cylinder) has a timing chain. I'd love to save the money on taking to the shop but I see this can turn out to be a big job. I do need to know for sure though before I do any thing else. Thanks. I'll let you know what happens.O o
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Since your vehicle doesn't have a distributor and does have a chain, you need to remove the timing chain cover to check it.
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARY303
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
One day I went to leave got in my car and it just wouldn't start it trys but it wont I had a guy look at it and he changed the spark plugs looked at the fuses and looked at the ignition module control and still not turning on it is catching spark but it also back fires? Can anyone possibly help me out on what it could be? I just want my car back please help
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Saturday, April 11th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM (Merged)

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