I have a '92 Chevy Caprice with a V8 5.0 liter engine. The car is in relatively good condition with only 90,000 miles on it. My problem is that it will crank, but it won't turn over. My sister's fiance looked at it and said he believes the fuel pump is out and needs to be replaced, but my dad said he believes it's electrical. The fuel pump turns on when the battery turns on, so I'm tending to believe my dad when he says it's not that, but rather something electrical. Any ideas what it could be so I don't spend a bunch of money on unnecessary repairs?
Also, I can't afford to take it to a mechanic, so any ideas other than that would be helpful.
2006-06-24 13:01:00 · 13 answers · asked by turtle_express16 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well, to really find out, you would need to do some investigating.
Combustion needs 3 things to happen - air, fuel and an ignition source (spark).
First thing to do would be to check for fuel. You probably have fuel injection, so you would need find the service valve on the rail, and open it, to see if gas shoots out (and if the pump is working/the fuel filter isn't clogged, it will).
If that is OK, then you need to check the spark. This is a much more involved procedure, and you will need help. Remove one spark plug wire from any spark plug on the engine. Take a long screwdriver that will fit into the boot and touch the metal clip inside, then hold the metal blade of the screwdriver close (maybe 1/8 inch or closer) to a metal part of the engine (exhaust manifold would be fine). Have your helper, or if you are the helper, crank the ignition for a second or two. Whoever is holding the screwdriver should plainly see a spark jump from the screwdriver blade to the engine. If not, then you have electrical problems of some sort.
Be sure you dont touch the metal part of the screwdriver when you are cranking, or you will get a much less pleasant indication of spark being present. Also, be careful when checking the fuel that no smokers or other ignition source is around, and also be aware that fuel on the rail under pressure is likely to shoot a couple feet, either dress accordingly or find some way to shield yourself.
2006-06-24 13:17:52 · answer #1 · answered by s.wade 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just to let you know, cranking and turning over are the same thing in mechanics language. What you might be trying to say is that is will crank, but not fire. Do you have spark? Pull a spark plug, put the treads against metal, with the wire attached and crank the engine. Does it spark? If so, it is probably a fuel problem. If it doesn't spark, and you are sure you have the plug grounded you need some more help.
2006-06-26 02:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by joatmon585 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok start here you need 3 basick things for a car to run fuel spark and compresson, ok first take a plug wire off see if you have spark by putting a old one in it and holding agenst the block some where, next take the cap that looks like a metal tire valvestem cap off thats on the fuel reail turn the key on and see if theres any coming out when you push it with a paper clip or somtihgn, next you got to buy a set of NOID LIGHTS should be like 10 or 15 bucks for the cheep ones, and you should need th ebosh type take at least 2 fuel injectors and check the light while crqanking the engin, if all of this looks good you got a big problem , mot comon causes are fuel filters fuil pumps, module, maf or map, computer, dis cap,coil but figure out if you have spark injector pulses and fule prssurre first and repost should be able to help you out form there, these motors are great never many big problems with em
2006-06-24 20:41:38 · answer #3 · answered by ilikecheezeburgers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well not to scare you but there are several things it could be.
but you do the obvious things first
1. make sure the fuel filter is not stopped up. there are not usually but 10 or 15 dollars new if it needs it
2.is this a new problem or something it has been doing for awhile and just now it wont start
3.look at the electrical connectors on the car make sure there all plugged together also look for wires that has been cut somehow or burnt into
4. not to make anyone seem stupid make sure there is gas in the tank
this is just a few thing to look at but if ya need more help you can email me at johnrymel@yahoo.com
2006-06-24 20:15:49 · answer #4 · answered by johnrymel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a car this old and in this shape, you are describing classic "old nasty fuel filter" symptoms. When was the last time you replaced the fuel filter?
The engine may simply be starved for gas! $10-$20 and you could likely do it yourself. What do you have to lose?
2006-06-24 20:05:30 · answer #5 · answered by sideshot72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does sound electrical. A good tune up might help. I don't know about newer american cars, but diagnosing the distributor might help - either a bad rotor or coils.
A bad fuel filter would keep gas from entering the combustion chamber...
2006-06-24 20:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by Jeff B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the ignition module in the distributor you can buy one at your local auto parts store for about$20-$40, they not very hard to install, just remove the distributor cap and rotor button remove old module replace with the new one then replace rotor button and distributorcap.
2006-06-24 21:03:09 · answer #7 · answered by MR.FIXIT1988 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first thing i would do is disconnect the gas filter and turn on the key to see if the fuel pump works ,if so then check for spark,if no spark check the module and coil pack.you can take it off and places like auto zone can check it for you for free.good luck.
2006-06-24 20:15:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get some spark plugs and check the wiring
2006-06-24 20:07:15 · answer #9 · answered by sirbarkalot2001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the spark plugs, check the ignition system
2006-06-24 20:07:38 · answer #10 · answered by Nicalo22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋