Thread: Engine cranks, but won't start *Might be solved*

So here's the story. I swapped out my stock fuel pump for a used Racetronix pump and rewire kit. Got everything back together after changing all of the engine's fluids and idled it for awhile to make sure that everything was fine. That was good until my battery died and it didn't seem to be able to start the car even when jumped.

Long story short, the battery, alternator, crank position sensor, and the fuel pressure regulator were all replaced. After the fpr was replaced it seemed to run so I drove it around and made multiple stops. It was doing everything well where as before it would fire then die, and then not start at all.

So after the nice drive on Saturday, I start it yesterday and everything is normal and then all of a sudden the car died and it wouldn't start.

Could it be the ICM or the coils or has anyone else had this happen before?

It could be anything.

Start off with the easy tests. Does it have fuel to the rail with enough pressure? Does it have spark?

Take one wire off at the coil pack, have a friend crank it over. You should see the spark jumping.

After you do that test. Push down on the schrader valve for the fuel. A good spurt should occur. If it dribbles that's bad.

I'm not familiar with the racetronix rewire kit, but did you get a good ground for it?

Buddy had a similar problem. Car would start and run, but when he gave gas would die. Ended up being his racetronics pump tube in the bucket was not on all the way and it couldn't get enough fuel pressure. He just installed it.. He put the plastic corrugated tube in with no hose clamps and it popped off pump nozel. Still gave it enough to start but not enough when he gave it gas.

what year car you have? there is a panel in the trunk in most w bodys. iirc it was 05 and 06 that failed to have it.

Originally Posted by zipper

Timboku, that's not the answer I want to hear, but you might be onto something. I'm going to check the fuel pressure the next chance I get this week.

I hate pulling that gas tank out. If I have to pull it out again, I'm cutting an access panel out in the trunk. Tired of that after doing it once.

Oh crap just forgot you are putting it in a gen 1 Monte with no panel. Ya check pressure, he had some gas coming out of the valve but not to much... his was in a grand prix with an access panel so we popped it up and checked and the tube was not on all the way, pushed it on and clamped it and no more issues.

Pressure seems good. When my icm was failing failing it would bog down over 3k rpm not sure if you have one to test. How bought the maf? Maybe unplug it see if it stays running?

Originally Posted by zipper

Well I picked up an ICM with coils from an L67 in the junkyard today and replaced my stock ICM and coils with them. After I did that, the Monte ran for quite a bit and I never had any trouble with it even after going for a ride. I'm going to keep testing it and see if this is solved.

So far so good though.

Yes!!!! Fingers crossed