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engine cranks but wont start


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paintboy73
New User

May 3, 2012, 8:51 AM

Post #1 of 7 (5910 views)
engine cranks but wont start Sign In

i have a 1998 chevy astro with 250000 miles and a 4.3 v6.
my problem is that the engine will crank but it will not start. when i hook up jumper cables to another vehicle it starts right up. the battery tested good and is rated at 680 cca. i went ahead and replaced it with a 800 cca battery but the problems persist. the alternator starter and new battery test good. most trouble shooting guides point to fuel supply ,injectors etc. but these are fine. when started it runs great, full power no stalling, surging or problems of any kind. the starter is 2 months old. i installed new plugs, wires ,rotor, cap, ignition coil and control module ;same result. i have traced all starting/ignition and grounding wiring for breaks, burns, bad connections, everything. fuses at fuse box ;all good. once the vehicle is warmed up it usually starts again by itself without a jump.
the only problem i may have created would be electrical. when i installed the starter, it had a bad solenoid on the brand new lifetime replacement napa sterter that caused the battery to short and arc when i tried to hook it up. after a few tries(and arcing, shorting) i determined it was bad and took it back for a replacement which i installed and everything was fine. everything worked great for about a month when my current non-start issue presented itself. it is at a mechenic shop now and he cant find a problem. all electrical on the vehicle works. no gauges, internal light ,dash light, sensor problems at all. the in tank fuel pump, frame mount fuel filter, alternator, belt tensioner, fan belt, fan clutch ,radiator, water pump, radiator hoses have all been replaced within last 4-5 years no problems.

could it be a fusible link at the starter wiring? I havent checked it yet but it seemed fine on visual inspection. everybody i have talked to is perplexed. any guideance would be appreciated.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 3, 2012, 9:02 AM

Post #2 of 7 (5891 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

I didn't even finish reading this whole post. If it starts right up with a jump then the problem is battery (I don't care how well it checks out) or the cable ends right at it. Forget all the other crap if a jump works fine,

T



paintboy73
New User

May 3, 2012, 9:15 AM

Post #3 of 7 (5883 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

thanks, i'll replace cables and let you know if its fixed


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 3, 2012, 9:52 AM

Post #4 of 7 (5870 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

Peel back the hard rubber covers and take a real good look at the eyelet ends that you really can't see easily. May just need wire brushing up. I wouldn't be too hasty to just up and replace cables unless you feel like it. That is good as vehicles get older but not for all of them all the time.

They make temporary cable ends for dirt if they are trashed as a test that it will work to dump the cables but those shouldn't stay. Watch out because at starter motor's solenoid it could bust the stud so make sure that's OK to undo if you go there. Put penetrating oil on that NOW - I like PB the best.

Try not to just waste parts and $$ but find the real culprit,

Good luck,

T



paintboy73
New User

May 3, 2012, 10:04 AM

Post #5 of 7 (5859 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

 the cable ends look pristine , no corosion at all. i have always maintained them.my mechanic says i am loosing fuel pressure at cranking and it is dropping from 15psi to 10 psi. he is recomending replacing the in tank fuel pump and wiring harness (4 wire splice connector).@ $580. I still cant reason how a jump would start it with this newly diagnosed problem. any thoughts? Thanks.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 3, 2012, 11:21 AM

Post #6 of 7 (5846 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

There is no relationship between the jump start and the fuel pump. Get you battery situation straightened out first and then see if you really need a fuel pump.
That engine requires over 55PSI to even run so something is fishy.



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(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 3, 2012, 11:22 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 3, 2012, 11:32 AM

Post #7 of 7 (5835 views)
Re: engine cranks but wont start Sign In

Zackery - just read up top again and this behaves with a jump so that's the only thing to tend to right now. I don't care if cable ends look good or not but there must be a problem there or is plain wants more amps for the start.

When it's cold it will take more than a re-start partly why they say CCA "cold cranking amps" ability on batteries. New, tested or not I still wonder about the real power of your battery both the old one and this new or used new one,

T







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