I have a 97 Saturn SW1 engine cranks but the car wont start. the fuel pump sounds likes it working. pls hlp!?

Question

The car was recently serviced and a new starter was put in. That was 2 days ago and I've driven the car a number of times since then with no problems. Now the engine cranks but the car won't start. I tried spraying starting fluid onto the air cleaner, and when I tried to start it immediately afterwards it felt like it was going to start (although weakly) but I couldn't get the engine to rev and it just konked out. Please help!

thanks

Answer 1

New alternator maybe?

I had a similar problem with by 97 SL1 and after $3K in repairs, come to find out it was a blown fuse in the driver's door that was causing an electrical malfunction that would not allow the car to turn over. Go figure!

Answer 2

How many miles?
If more than 70K, or multiples of 70, chances are it is a timing belt. Maybe. Not definitive.
LISTEN VERY CLOSELY when you turn on the key;(don't try to start, just turn it to "RUN") Do you hear a "HUM" from the fuel tank? If not, open the fuel cap, put your ear near the filler, and have a friend turn it on. Now do you hear it? If not, chances the pump has failed.
Check the fuel pump fuse. If it is blown, replace it and try to start it. If it runs, you have a very short period of time to drive it before it fails again.
If the fuse isn't blown, but you still don't hear the pump, here is something to consider;
Have you made it a practice to drive around MOSTLY on a near empty tank (< 1/4 tank)? If that has been the pattern for this little car, the pump may have failed. The manufacturer designed the pump into the tank for a couple of reasons other than economy.
1) It is protected there. It is safe and clean.
2) It is bathed in fuel, which keeps it cool. They use the mass of the fuel to absorb the heat generated by the pump and then dissipate it to the air surrounding the fuel tank.
If the pump can't dissipate the heat for lack of mass, then the pump will heat up and fail.
Now the fuel tank must come out to replace the pump. Labor intensive (pronounced "expensive")and the pump and accessories run about $100.00 - $150.00.
Did the car run, and just not start when you tried to start it (at the store, in the driveway in the morning, etc) or did it die as you were driving it?
If it just wouldn't start after being parked and shut off, it MAY have thrown a timing belt.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Engines need air, fuel and spark to run. You say that starter fluid makes a difference so air is getting into the engine. that leaves fuel and spark. Remove the #1 spark plug and hold it close to a metal part of the engine, while a helper is cranking. If you see a spark, spark probably isn't the problem. If there isn't a spark, check the wires, plugs, and coil.
Fuel problems could be plugged filter, faulty regulator, bad pump, clogged injectors or a fauly ECU.

My best guess is a fuel problem.

Answer 4

in some circumstances the subject isn't with the starter itself, however the starter solenoid. If the relationship from the battery to the starter solenoid is vulnerable or loose, all you get once you turn the ignition secret's a chain of speedy faucets and no hearth. The starter isn't enticing the flywheel, so your motor vehicle won't commence. no longer all starters have solenoids, yet older automobiles virtually continuously have them. it rather is basically a battery p.c.. sitting on good of the starter section with the bendix that connects to the flywheel. With a foul starter solenoid, each little thing else electric ought to nevertheless paintings. you have got a quick preferable from the battery to the starter or a foul twine altogether. A mechanic ought to have the flexibility to objective out your electric gadget with a voltmeter and hear the machinegun noise for clues.

Answer 5

look in the fuse box,,and se if it has blown a fuse for the fuel pump,,if it hasn't,,it might have a clogged fuel filter on it,,they will stop up real fast on one,,and this alone will make it not start,,also check to see if its getting fire to the spark plugs,,if not you may need to take it to a repair shop,,and have them do a good check up on it,,i own a repair shop,,and have seen this happen a lot,,sometimes its hard to find,,without the right tools to do it with,,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.

Answer 6

ok sounds like you should check the..ummmmmm, ok let's see the, try to replace the spark plugs or the,fuel injector, thats all i know if ur car was here i could fix-it for free so try that and let me know ok, if any Q? ask me okie dokie bye bye. oh and is the cylinders are working did you checked?