Car Cranks But Won’t Start? How a Mechanic Diagnoses a No Start Step by Step
About this video
Engine cranks but will not start? Before you replace a single part, watch this. An ASE certified mechanic shows the exact process used in the shop to diagnose a no start on a gasoline engine. Every gas engine needs the same basics to run: spark, fuel, air, and compression. Find out which one is missing and you have found your problem.
We demonstrate on a Ford Crown Victoria (1992-2011 generation, including the 1998 facelift and the 2003 update), but this process works on nearly every gasoline car, truck, SUV, and van, from Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia to Subaru, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
SAFETY FIRST
Gasoline is extremely flammable. Never test for spark near an open fuel line or a leaking injector. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, work in a ventilated area, and keep hands, hair, and clothing clear of belts and the cooling fan while cranking.
WHAT WE COVER
Crank no start versus no crank no start, and why they are completely different problems
Scanning for codes and watching engine RPM on live data while cranking
Checking for spark with a spark tester
Checking for fuel: fuel pump prime, fuel pressure, and injector pulse
Checking for air: clogged air filter, stuck throttle body, or a loose intake duct
Checking compression and what low or zero compression says about timing chain or timing belt failure
How a bad crankshaft position sensor can kill spark and fuel at the same time
Anti theft and immobilizer lockouts that shut the engine down even when everything else is fine
Why a weak battery can crank the engine but still cause a no start
CROWN VICTORIA NO START CHECKS
The Crown Vic has a few well known no start causes: the PATS anti theft system shutting off fuel, a tripped fuel pump inertia switch in the trunk, a corroded fuel pump driver module on 2003 and newer models, and a failed crankshaft position sensor.
SYMPTOMS THIS VIDEO HELPS YOU DIAGNOSE
Engine cranks normally but never fires
Engine starts for a second and then dies
No start after sitting, or after running out of gas
Starts cold but will not restart hot
Theft light flashing on the dash
Tachometer not moving while cranking
Strong fuel smell after cranking, which can mean a flooded engine
RELATED FAULT CODES
Crank and cam sensor codes P0335, P0340, and P0016
Fuel pressure and fuel pump codes P0087, P0230, P0231, and P1233
Ignition coil circuit codes P0351 through P0358
Ford PATS anti theft codes P1260, B1600, B1601, and B1602
Low voltage P0562 and communication codes U0100 and U0101
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
The Crown Victoria and Crown Vic Police Interceptor P71 share the Panther platform with the Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, and Lincoln Town Car, so the fuel, ignition, and anti theft systems are nearly identical on those cars. The 4.6L 2 valve V8 is also found in the Ford F150, Mustang GT, Expedition, E Series van, Explorer, and Mercury Mountaineer, so the same no start checks carry over.
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