GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2003 🢒 Vibe - AWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Engine Cranks But Does Not Run

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. In order for the engine to start and run, the correct amount of good quality fuel must be properly delivered to each cylinder. The timing of the valve train operation in relation to piston position is also critical, as is mechanical compression of the air/fuel mixture.

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

    • The battery is completely charged. Refer to Battery Inspection/Test in Engine Electrical.
    • The engine cranking speed is acceptable. Refer to Engine Cranks Slowly in Engine Electrical.
    • There is adequate fuel in the fuel tank.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

    • Insufficient fuel can cause a no start condition. Thoroughly inspect the fuel delivery system for sufficient fuel volume to the fuel injectors. Inspect the fuel supply components for partial blockage or restrictions.
    • Fuel injectors with partially blocked and restricted nozzles, or a malfunctioning solenoid, can cause a no start condition. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool , Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) and Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Outside 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) .
    • There may be fuel spray at the fuel injectors and the indicated fuel pressure may be correct, yet there may not be enough fuel to start the engine. If the fuel injectors and the injector circuit are OK, and fuel spray is detected, the fuel injector ON time may be inadequate. If the PCM receives incorrect inputs from the various information sensors, the fuel delivered by the fuel injectors may be inadequate to start the engine. Check all the engine data parameters with a scan tool and compare the values indicated with the expected values or the values from a known good vehicle.
    • Check the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor engine reference signal with a scan tool. Observe the Engine Speed parameter while cranking the engine. The scan tool should indicate a steady 200-300 RPMwhile cranking. If erratic values, such as sudden spikes in theenginespeedare displayed, the engine reference signal is notstable enoughforthe engine to start and run properly.
    • An intermittent condition of cranks but will not start or the engine quits while running can be caused by a PCM shutdown. There will be no fuel, spark, or data communications during a PCM shutdown. A short to ground in the 5-volt reference circuit of the 3-wire engine data sensors will cause a PCM shutdown. When the short to ground is absent, the PCM will operate normally with no DTCs stored. Check for a shorted throttle position (TP) or fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor, or shorted sensor wiring.
    • Check the engine electrical grounds if the engine has no spark and no fuel injector pulse with no DTCs. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics and Ground Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems.
    • If the engine almost starts and then stalls, check for an open in the ground circuits of the CKP sensor and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
    • Water or foreign material in the fuel can cause a no start or engine will not stay running condition. During freezing weather water can freeze inside the fuel system. The engine may start after 30 minutes in a heated shop. The malfunction may not recur until parked overnight in freezing temperatures. Extreme weather conditions can cause contaminated fuel to prevent the vehicle from starting.
    • A vehicle that starts and runs after being brought to the repair shop for a no start complaint, may have an ignition system that is susceptible to moisture. Spray water on the ignition system components and the wiring in order to check for an engine starting or will not stay running concern.

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by fault in any of the critical information or component electrical circuits. Inspect the wiring harness and the components for an intermittent condition. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Repair any electrical circuit faults that were found. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

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

  1. The Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

    2.

  2. If a fuse is found to be the cause of the no start, locate and repair any shorts that may have caused the fuse to open before replacing the fuse.

    3.

  3. If there is a fault in either the CKP sensor or CMP sensor circuits, the ignition system can malfunction. Repair the cause of a DTC P0335 or DTC P0340 first.

    4.

  4. If there is a fault in the electrical circuits between the PCM and the ignition coil assemblies, a DTC P1300-P1315 will set. Use the DTC P1300-P1315 diagnostic table in order to repair the ignition system failure.

    5.

  5. The fuel mixture may be too rich or too lean to start the engine if the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor signal is incorrect.

    6.

  6. The fuel mixture may be too rich or too lean to start the engine if the throttle position (TP) sensor signal is incorrect.

    7.

  7. The fuel mixture may be too rich or too lean to start the engine if the mass air flow (MAF) sensor signal is incorrect.

    8.

  8. This step checks to see if there is any fuel pressure. If there is no fuel pressure the fuel pump electrical circuit must be inspected.

    9.

  9. This step checks to see if the engine will start and run. The repair that may have led to this step may only have been a secondary cause of the no start condition, such as fouled spark plugs. The diagnostics in this table may need to be performed a second time in order to discover the root cause of the no start condition.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Check the IGN fuse and the EFI fuse in the fuse and relay for any of the following conditions:
    2. • Open condition
    • No supplied power
    • Faulty terminal connections
  2. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems.
  3. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 3

3

Check for DTCs with a scan tool.

Is a DTC P0335 or P0340 set?

--

Go to DTC P0335 or DTC P0340

Go to Step 4

4

Is a DTC P1300, P1305, P1310, or P1315 set?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the ECT sensor parameter on the scan tool.

Is the coolant temperature displayed on the scan tool near the actual coolant temperature?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to DTC P0115

6

Observe the TP sensor parameter on a scan tool with the throttle closed.

Is the throttle position opening displayed on the scan tool within the specified range?

0-23%

Go to Step 7

Go to DTC P0121

7

  1. Observe the MAF sensor reading on the scan tool while cranking the engine.
  2. Compare the observed MAF reading to the specified value.

Is the MAF reading within the specified range?

1.80-3.95 g/s

Go to Step 8

Go to DTC P0101

8
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect all four fuel injector electrical connectors.
  3. Install a J 34730-2B Fuel Injector Test Lamp, or equivalent, into each fuel injector harness connector.
  4. Observe the injector test lamp for each fuel injector while cranking the engine.

Did the fuel injector test lamp flash for each injector while cranking the engine?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Fuel Injector Circuit Diagnosis

9
  1. Disconnect the electrical connector of each fuel injector.
  2. Disconnect the electrical connector at an ignition coil assembly.
  3. Remove the ignition coil assembly. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement . Do not remove the spark plugs.
  4. Connect a J 26792 Spark Tester or an equivalent to the spark plug boot of the ignition coil assembly.
  5. Clip the spark tester to ground.
  6. Connect the coil assembly electrical connector.
  7. Crank the engine and observe the spark tester.
  8. Repeat this test for each ignition coil assembly.

Is a crisp blue spark available at all ignition coil assemblies?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis

10
  1. Inspect the spark plugs for correct operation and condition. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
  2. Clean or replace the spark plugs as necessary. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

Was a repair or replacement necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Verify that the vehicle has an adequate supply of fuel in the fuel tank.
  2. Install the J 34730-1A Fuel Pressure Gage or an equivalent. Refer to Fuel Pressure Gage Installation and Removal .
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Select Fuel Pump in the Engine Output Controls menu.
  5. Turn the fuel pump relay ON for 5 seconds with the scan tool.
  6. Check the fuel pressure reading on the fuel pressure gage.

Is the fuel pressure indicated within the specified range?

301-347 kPa (44-50 psi)

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

12
  1. Turn the fuel pump relay ON for 5 seconds with the scan tool.
  2. Check the fuel pressure reading on the fuel pressure gage.

Is the fuel pressure indicated more the specified range?

0-7 kPa

(0-1.0 psi)

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

Go to Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit Diagnosis

13
  1. Inspect a fuel sample for the following concerns:
    2. • Alcohol or other contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • The fuel type and quality
  2. Replace the fuel as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

14
  1. Check for clean and tight electrical grounds. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics and Ground Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems.
  2. Check the PCM ground terminals. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views .
  3. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

15
  1. Inspect the engine for any of the following engine mechanical concerns:
    2. • Worn or faulty camshaft
    • Leaking or sticking valves
    • Excessive valve deposits
    • Weak or broken valve springs
    • Incorrect valve timing
    • Intake gasket leaks
    • Engine vacuum leaks
    • Leaking or broken piston rings
    • Low engine compression
  2. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical.

Was an engine mechanical concern found and repaired?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

16

Inspect the exhaust system for excessive backpressure. Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.

Was an exhaust system repair or replacement necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Diagnostic Aids

17

  1. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function.
  2. Attempt to start the engine.

Does the engine start and continue to run?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 2

18
  1. Operate the engine at idle until a normal operating temperature is reached.
  2. Check for DTCs with a scan tool.

Are any DTCs displayed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 19

19

With the scan tool review the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK