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Weak crank no start?

Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 232,000 MILES
I bought a new battery, changed the starter, and still has a weak crank. Checked all grounds they're nice and tight. Could the voltage regulator be bad or the crank shaft sensor? I'm sick of putting more and more money into this car. Please help.
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Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 AT 12:42 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
What do you mean about weak crank? Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the engine crank over? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. Does the engine crank and not start, slow to crank and then start?
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Thursday, April 20th, 2023 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Sorry, it took me so long been really busy. But this is what it does. I replaced the plug and wires yesterday and still nothing.
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Thursday, April 27th, 2023 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the video. It seems like the battery cables are bad but to be sure let's remove the spark plugs and then crank the engine over to see if it turns over better. Just to be clear the engine cranked like this before the starter replacement, correct? Please send other video once the spark plugs have been removed and check the ground cable and positive battery cable as well.
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I replaced the negative cable to engine block at the same time I changed battery. I was checking connectivity today and at some spots I touch multimeter to engine block I'm getting a way lower # than what my battery is at. 1 bolt was 5.46v another was 7.22v when battery was at 12.46v. I'm at a loss right now.
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Also did a scan with obd2 and it throws 0 codes. But my check engine light is on. I also did a test for shorts where I used test light and pulled each fuse 1by1 and took every fuse out light never went off.
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is low voltage I would replace the positive battery cable it must be corroded internally. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Sunday, April 30th, 2023 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I changed positive battery wire still no change. Pulled all plug wires and tired turning over no difference. Couldn't do video it was really windy 35+ winds and no helper today. Let me go back to when the problem happened. Went to gas station turned car off. Went to restart nothing. Turned key off and tried again started. I went to Walmart turned off came out started first try. I went to dollar tree turned off hasn't started since. I'm at my ropes end.
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Monday, May 1st, 2023 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
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I forgot to mention the wife said she heard a sizzling noise that day but I'm deaf, so I didn't. Didn't smell anything either but didn't know if that could be something.
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Monday, May 1st, 2023 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You must have a defective starter motor is the only thing left I can think of. I would check it out for a different one. Here are the instructions to do so. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
So, it couldn't be the ignition switch nor the camshaft position sensor? What about a ground short?
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 AT 2:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Here is a guide to check the connections and the starter wiring diagrams so you can check it out:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER GAUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It wasn't the starter which I knew it wasn't. Had a buddy come look at it, and it turned out to be a seized power steering pump. Car is running like a dream now.
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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, good find. That doesn't happen very often. Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 5:33 PM

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