GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic table is an organized approach to identifying a condition that causes an engine not to start. The Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic table directs the service technician to the appropriate system diagnosis.

The Engine Cranks But Does Not Run diagnostic table assumes the following:

    • The batteries are completely charged. Refer to Battery Inspection/Test in Engine Electrical.
    • The cranking speed is within specifications. Refer to Engine Cranks Slowly in Engine Electrical.
    • There is adequate fuel in the fuel tanks.

Diagnostic Aids

If the cause of an engine cranks but will not run condition has not been found, inspect for the following conditions:

    • Hard starting only in cold ambient temperatures. These may cause an intermittent condition that may not occur in the service bay:
       - Fuel heater inoperative, refer to Fuel Heater Inoperative .
       - Ice blockage at the fuel pickup in the fuel tank. This will be a high vacuum in the supply lines while cranking, and the problem will disappear after the vehicle is brought in the service bay. It may also exhibit a start and stall condition or a starting condition with no acceleration.
    • The correct cranking speed is 100 RPM cold and 180 RPM hot.
    • Water or foreign material in fuel system
    • A basic engine problem
    • More than 1 ohm of resistance in the ignition 1 voltage circuit to the fuel injection control module may cause a crank no start condition.
    • Low engine coolant level may cause the engine to shut down.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests for an ignition 1 voltage supply to the engine control module (ECM).

  2. If there is fuel in the engine oil, fuel may be leaking from the fuel injector or fuel injection pump into the crankcase.

  3. If the fuel system will not even briefly prime to 10 psi and will not start, the check valve in the fuel filter/heater element housing is stuck open.

  4. This step determines if the fuel system is bleeding down causing a no start. The fuel pressure will slowly drop to 0 psi, but should still be above 8 psi 10 seconds after pressurizing the fuel system.

  5. In some cases, no compression, possibly with excessive fuel, in a single cylinder can cause a no start.

  6. This step determines if the problem is a stuck open or broken fuel injector. If fuel vapors come out of any of the glow plug holes, excessive fuel is being sent into a cylinder, and not being distributed to all of the fuel injectors.

  7. The engine will not run without an actual fuel rail pressure more than 10 MPa (1,450 psi).

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the DTC Information with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool display DTC P0090, P0193, P0335, P0336, P0340, P0370, P0374, P0601, P0602, P0603, P0604, P0611, P0612, P0642, P0643, P0670, P0698, P0699, P1621, P1626, P1631, P1683, P1687, or U0105?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

Is the customer concern with a fuel smell or fuel leak?

--

Go to Fuel Leak Diagnosis

Go to Step 4

4

Observe the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure parameter with a scan tool.

Is the pressure within the specified range?

1-1.8 MPa

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 15

5

Observe the Ignition 1 signal parameter with a scan tool.

Is the Ignition 1 signal parameter at the specified value?

B+

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 18

6

Inspect for the following conditions:

    • Excessive fuel in the engine oil--Refer to Fuel in Engine Oil in Engine Mechanical.
    • Fuel specific gravity--Refer to Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Install the J 44638 Vacuum Gage to the fuel system service port on the right front side of the engine.
  2. Attempt to hand prime the fuel manager 30 times or until the specified pressure is reached.

Can you prime the system to the specified value?

8 psi

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 23

8

Does the pressure measure more than the specified value for more than 2 minutes?

2 psi

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 12

9

Perform the Engine Compression Test. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical. Repair the engine as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 10

10

Did any of the cylinders emit any fuel vapor during the Engine Compression Test?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Crank the engine for 15 seconds.
  2. Observe the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure parameter with a scan tool.

Is the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure parameter more than the specified value?

10 MPa (1,450 psi)

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Prime the fuel manager to 10 psi.
  2. Attempt to start the engine while the prime is still above 8 psi.

Does the engine start?

--

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis - High Pressure Side

13

Important: If there is high resistance in the signal or low reference circuits of the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor the Engine Speed parameter of the scan tool will display a value more than 0. It will not be an accurate measure of engine speed, and can cause an Engine Cranks but does Not Run condition.

Test the CKP sensor signal and low reference circuits for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 14

14

Inspect for the following conditions:

    • A plugged air filter
    • A collapsed air intake duct
    • The fuel heater is inoperative. If the customer concern is that the engine will not start when ambient temperatures are less than 2-4°C (35-40°F), refer to Fuel Heater Inoperative .
    • A restricted exhaust system--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Diagnostic Aids

15

  1. Disconnect the fuel rail pressure (FRP) sensor.
  2. Observe the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure parameter on the scan tool.

Does the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure parameter measure more than the specified value?

175 MPa

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

16

Test the FRP sensor signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 21

17

Test the FRP sensor circuits for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 19

18

  1. Test the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the engine control module (ECM) for a short to ground, a high resistance, or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
  2. Replace the fuse if necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 20

19

Test for an intermittent or for a poor connection at the FRP sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 24

20

  1. Clean and tighten the ECM shared ground. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems.
  2. Attempt to start the engine.

Does the engine start?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 21

21

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 25

22

Important: When the fuel injector pressure lines are removed, debris will fall on the fuel injector inlet fitting. Vacuum the debris from the area to prevent the debris from falling in the fuel injector.

Replace the fuel injectors on the affected cylinders. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 26

--

23

Important: Before replacing the fuel filter/heater element housing, inspect the fuel vent screw for damage or cross threading. Replace the vent screw w/O-ring if either condition is found.

Replace the fuel filter/heater element housing. Refer to Fuel Filter Assembly Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 26

--

24

Replace the FRP sensor. Refer to Fuel Injection Fuel Rail Fuel Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 26

--

25

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 26

--

26

  1. Clear any DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Attempt to start the engine.

Does the engine start and continue to run?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 2

27

  1. Allow the engine to idle until normal operating temperature is reached.
  2. Observe the DTC Information with a scan tool.

Are any DTCs displayed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK