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Question

engine turns over but wont fire,    then all of a sudden the starter wont engage like it is in some kind of lock mode

Submitted: 300 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Pontiac
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Posted by Glenn 300 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Could you please identify the model year, model, engine and transmission option (auto or manual). Do you have any aftermarket starting or security equipment installed?

299 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

2000 bonneville 3.8 non turbo auto , no aftermarket start or security I did get the engine to turn over found a ground I loosened and forgot to tighten but is still wont start, but at least it turns over now . I replaced the crank and cam sensor yesterday and still wont run now Im asking you for help I do hear the fuel pump turning on but still wont fire

 

sorry for not responding sooner it went to my spam folder

Posted by Glenn 299 days and 20 hours ago.

Info Request

Do you have spark and fuel injector pulses ? Do you need instruction on how to do this ?

 

 

299 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

no clue how to check this

Posted by Glenn 299 days and 20 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, some simple tools are required. Your local automotive parts store should be able to provide these.

 

By the way, you could try a small bit of quick start to see if the engine tries to start. To do this, you would have to remove the air intake tubing and spray a small amount of this into the intake manifold.

 

 

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Let me know what your findings are..

Posted by Glenn 299 days and 19 hours ago.

Info Request

How did you set the clearance on the crankshaft sensor ? If it wasn't adjusted properly it will hit the vanes on the crank pulley and be damaged.

 

 

299 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

I set the clearance by visually installing the harmonic balancer and adjusted the sensor to ensure clearance then I pulled the balancer back off tightened the bolts to spec and put dust cover on

299 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

I am going to check to see if I can get it to fire with a bit of quick start and will see if I can locate a noid light

Posted by Glenn 299 days and 17 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, let me know what the results are.

299 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

I have a good strong spark . I will be going to the local Autozone to rent a noid lite and will give you the results most likly after lunch some time . I also rented a fuel pressure checker . Again thanks for sticking with me

Posted by Glenn 299 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, let me know the results of your tests.

298 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

I just did a test with a noid lite and the lights pulse on all injectors. I also did a fuel pressure test and the two seconds the pump is on it reads 50 psi after the pump shuts off the pressure reads 40 psi and after about 5 minutes it dropped about 5psi

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 23 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok.

 

Did you do the spark test with a tester like mine? Did spark jump a 30kv gap setting ?

 

Did the engine run normally the last time the car was driven? Did it quit while driving?

298 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

I checked the spark by pulling the plug and turning the engine over it had a powerful blue spark

 

Also the car ran fine the night before went to start in the morning and it would not start, and hasnt since

 

Should I try to locate a spark testor

 

 

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 23 hours ago.

Info Request

Yes... you need to make sure that you are getting 30kv. It's an inexpensive tool. Please check ALL plug wires.

 

298 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

ok I will find one

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 23 hours ago.

Info Request

very good... I'll be back on line later this afternoon. I'll look for your reply then.

298 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

I put the spark plug tester in all 6 boots rear 3 had to pull front motor mounts and tilt engine forward to get at the back three boots I set the tester for 36-40 which is for distributerless gm engine and all six fired flawlessly

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 19 hours ago.

Info Request

Good, a bit of work to do but now you have confirmed spark.

 

Ok, when you had the balancer off and reinstalled it you're sure you lined up the balancer with the keyway before tightening the crankshaft bolt ?

 

Did you try any quick start fluid ?

 

298 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

When I reinstalled the balancer I marked the key position on the outside of the harmonic balancer and installed it with marks lined up, i actually purposely put it on off a bit and turned the balancer till I felt the key engage so I am confident that the alignment was good

 

I also did buy some starting fluid and put in in the throttle body opening and it did not fire

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 18 hours ago.

Info Request

Good, ok.

 

There is a possibility that the timing chain has jumped. Usually this will produce a backfire. Compression testing will frequently reveal this as a problem.

 

Is it possible that the engine has been flooded ? Have you checked the engine oil level? Is is higher than normal ? If so, you may have washed the cylinders down with fuel.

 

Pulling the spark plugs and checking them to see if they are "wet" will tell the story as well.

 

Let me know what you find here.

298 days and 18 hours ago.

Reply

I pulled the front plugs and they were soaking wet but the oil appeared ok the level was normal . I just did a compression test and the cylinders are running 155-160 psi

Accepted Answer

Ok, unplug the crank sensor and cam sensor. Crank the engine over with the spark plugs removed to clear the gasoline from the cylinders. If you don't disconnect the sensors, a stray spark from a plug wire might ignite the fuel that comes out of the cylinders.

 

Disconnect the vacuum hose at the fuel pressure regulator and make sure that there is no gasoline in it. The diaphragms have been know to rupture. If this happens, the regulator can be replaced separately from the fuel rail. This would flood the engine.

 

Once you have cleared the cylinders, install a fresh set of plugs and try again. I usually put a small squirt of oil in each cylinder when I'm dealing with a flooded engine.

 

Let me know how you make out.

Picture
Expert: Glenn
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/29/2009

Technician/Trainer

29 Years Repair Experience, Interprovincially Licenced Auto Mechanic (Canada)

298 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Pulled plugs put squirt of oil in cylinders, replace with new plugs and still will not start, pulled new plugs and they were wet again also there is no evidence of fuel in the vacuum line going to the fuel regulator . I did check and the spark is very powerful even with a wet plug

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Did you check the injectors with a noid light ? How bright was the light ?

 

Did you try holding the throttle to the floor when cranking? How long did you crank?

 

 

298 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Yes I checked all 6 harness wires with a noid lite and they were bright I also held the throttle to the floor and turned the engine over for a good 30 seconds let the engine sit and did it for another 30 sec a few cylinders popped a few times but no start

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, we're down to the short list now.

 

Disconnect the crank and cam sensors again. I don't want you to have the engine backfire during the next test.

 

Disconnect the air inlet hose at the throttle body.

 

A correctly timed engine will develop vacuum while cranking. I want you to put your hand over the throttle bore and completly block the opening and have an assistant crank the engine. You should feel a strong vacuum buildup as the engine is cranked and you are blocking the throttle bore. Stop cranking, vacuum should hold.

 

If the timing chain has jumped, you won't be able to build up any cranking vacuum.

 

Let me know the results of this test and I'll help further if required.

 

 



Edited by Glenn on 1/29/2009 at 4:14 PM

298 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Glen I put the pedal to the floor and it finally started I want to thank you for all your help

Posted by Glenn 298 days and 1 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, good to hear. The engine appears to have been flooded.

 

I'd recommend warming the engine up and then changing the oil ( to deal with the gasoline contamination of the engine oil) .

 

Glad to have been of assistance. Thank you for the ACCEPT .

 

Thanks for using Just Answer.

297 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Glen I noticed now that I put everything back together now my tach, odometer and blinkers dont work please be advised that I am more than happy to deposit another 15.00 for your help or possiibly advise as how to do this

Posted by Glenn 297 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

Ok, I'll get back to you in the morning. I've been away from my desk this afternoon and evening.

 

297 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Ok thanks

Posted by Glenn 297 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello again.

 

TACH , ODOMETER AND TURN SIGNALS not working?

 

Do you have a scantool connected to the data link connector ?

 

What happens when you try to operate the signals ? Do the hazard flashers work ?

Is this vehicle equipped with a digital display or standard alalog gauges (needle)?

What is showing on odometer ?

 

 

297 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

I can rent a scan tool but it will be after lunch

 

When I try to operate the signal nothing happens its like trying to use the turn signal with the engine off

 

The Hazards work just fine and no lights are burned out

 

has a needle for the speedo and tach

 

The odometer (digital)does light up but it stays at the same setting the trip meter stays the same also

Posted by Glenn 297 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello again.

 

No, I wasn't asking you to rent a scantool. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't have a scantool connected.

 

Does the speedometer work ?

 

297 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Speedo does not work either

Posted by Glenn 297 days and 1 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, thank you.

 

You may have inadvertently disconnected the vehicle speed sensor. This is a 2 wire sensor located on the transmission. Click here to view the location of this sensor.

 

If the sensor appears to be connected, I'd suggest you check to see if the pcm is displaying a vehicle speed signal (you'll need a scantool for this ) . The signal is read by the PCM and then shared with the Instrument Panel via pin 55 (dark green/white wire) at the PCM

 

 

297 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

would the speed sensor make the tranny shift funny It jerky and before the no start it workded fine

Posted by Glenn 297 days ago.

Info Request

Yes.

297 days ago.

Reply

thanks should I hook up a scann tool and see if I get an error

Accepted Answer

I would recommend that a scantool be connected and the vehicle speed signal be checked while the vehicle is moving. If there is no signal, the harness between the sensor and the computer will need to be tested.

 

Did you have the computer disconnected during your diagnostics? Key off... disconnect and reconnect the connectors on the computer and see if the vehicle speed signal and tachometer return on the instrument panel.

Picture
Expert: Glenn
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/30/2009

Technician/Trainer

29 Years Repair Experience, Interprovincially Licenced Auto Mechanic (Canada)

296 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

 

when you say did you have computer disconnected do you mean the scan tool or the computer to the car ?

I will test while in motion and let you know

296 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Glen I found the problem I had the fuse fo ign 1 that controls the speedo tach and blinks in the wrong slot thanks for the help I learned alot from you

Posted by Glenn 296 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

Glad to hear that. Thanks .

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