Engine cranks but does not start

Tiny
PSTONEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
Had a new oil pump put in, was driving it a week later stopped at a red light, it shut off and hasn’t started since! I have replaced the ECU, Camshaft Sensor, Crankshaft sensor, battery, Ignition coil, spark plugs and wires, fuel Injectors and I can see timing belt is spinning when trying to crank it. I don’t know what else to do. It is a non-turbo.

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Friday, March 18th, 2022 AT 4:11 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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When the engine is cranking over does it sound normal? Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the engine crank over? I can tell what's wrong from the video, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Also we need to check the engine compression to make sure the engine is still in time. This is a good place to start so we don't replace parts that don't need it. These guides should help:

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

Please run down this guide and report back. It can take a while to upload the video so be patient.

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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for your speedy reply! Here is a video of the car cranking over, I did pop the cap off of the timing belt cover and the shaft(gears) are turning but I couldn’t get camera down in there to show you! But they are turning for sure. I also replaced the oil sending sensor, and it was the fuel pump I had replaced not the oil pump! Thank you for any help you can offer!
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like it has compression so that's a good sign. Can you try to spray some starting fluid into the intake to see if it will try to run?
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
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Okay, thanks. I will try it tomorrow and let you know!
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
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Okay, went and sprayed starting fluid in and car started, then shut off! Without using anymore starting fluid it started two more times and then shut off each time, tried starting it again (no spray) and it wouldn’t start! I took the gas line off in back at firewall and gas came out, pulled hose at fuel rail and gas came out there also! And the fuel rail was clean and not stopped up when I replaced all the fuel injectors! Don’t understand! Agh!
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If it starts with starting fluid, then the ignition system must be working. Are the injectors getting pulse? This guide can help you see:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, March 24th, 2022 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
PSTONEY
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I have a other question, as I stated I just had a new fuel pump installed, and when I turn the key, I can hear it come on. I removed the gas line from the firewall and from the gas rail some gas came out that was in the line. I then turned the key, the fuel pump engaged but no gas came out at the firewall metal line, shouldn’t some gas have come out once the key was turned and the fuel pump engaged?
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, it should. When gas is not flowing can you hear the fuel pump run?
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
PSTONEY
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What do you mean by, “when gas is not flowing you can hear the fuel pump run”? I was told that you should hear the fuel pump run every time that the key is turned on! So now that I have explained what is going on, (where no gas is coming out at the firewall line when key is turned on), what is my next step? After doing research I found that the fuel pressure regulator is built within the fuel pump which is inside the fuel tank! This car has no Schrader valve to check for pressure, so do you know how I could test for pressure and volume?
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Monday, March 28th, 2022 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can rent a fuel pressure gauge from a parts store and interrupt the fuel line at the engine. here is a guide to help with directions below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Fuel System Pressure .................... 400 ± 34 kPa (58 ± 5 psi)

SYMPTOM
CHECKING FUEL DELIVERY

POSSIBLE CAUSES
- Fuel pump relay
- Fuel pressure out of specs
- Restricted fuel supply line
- Fuel pump inlet strainer plugged
- Fuel pump module
- Fuel delivery system operation
- Fuel pump relay fused B+ circuit
- (A141) fuel pump relay output circuit open
- (Z1) fuel pump ground circuit open/high resistance
- Fuel pump module

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, March 28th, 2022 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
PSTONEY
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Sorry it took so long to get back! Okay, I rented the fuel pressure test kit, I connected a fuel line (hose) with worm clamp on firewall line, worm clamped the other end to the adapter with gauge, worm clamped the other end of gauge with another hose and worm clamped it to the fuel rail. Got in car turned key to just on position and gauge needle did not move it stayed on zero. Then I turned the key off and on five times and I could hear the fuel pump kick on each time, I then turned the key to try and start the car and gauge still stayed on zero. Gauge needle never moved. Doesn’t seem to be getting no gas pressure at all, no gas come through at all. So, what do you think? And thank you for your help so far!
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
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Forgot to add checked all fuses and relays, and they were all good!
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like the pump is no good or you are out of gas.
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
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Okay, thank you. I will let you know the final outcome. I know there is gas in the car and thankfully the fuel pump is only 2 months old so it is still under warranty!
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 4:51 PM

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