Vehicle cranks after fuel pump replacement but won't start
A replacement fuel pump can deliver pressure while flooding the engine with excess gas, preventing it from catching. This leaves the vehicle cranking normally but refusing to start or run.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1replacing the battery
- 2Jumpstarting the vehicle
- 3Checking fuses
- 4replacing the fuel pump
- 5checking fuel pressure at the rail valve
- 6verifying psi with a pressure gauge
- 7taping over drilled holes in the airbox to compensate for a lack of a remap
- 8testing compression manually using a finger over the spark plug hole
- 9Using a battery charger
- 10Using a battery warmer wrap
- 11Removing fuses to stop parasitic draws
- 12Checking fuse continuity using a multimeter
- 13Replacing the large strip fuse
- 14guessing at parts
- 15checking fuel pressure after shutdown
- 16looking for check engine lights or codes
- 17Replacing the starter
- 18Checking for a bad ground
- 19Giving the engine a tiny bit of gas while turning the key
- 20Waiting for the glow plug light to go out before starting
- 21Checking timing alignment
- 22Plugging the distributor back in
- 23Checking ground wires on the thermostat housing
- 24Performing a compression test
- 25unplugging the fuel pump wire to start the engine on residual fuel before quickly reconnecting it
- 26putting a switch on the fuel pump wire as a temporary fix
- 27testing pressure at the fuel rail
- 28Check for a dead battery
- 29Bridging the main battery cable post and the solenoid spade terminal
- 30Using a screwdriver to manually connect the starter terminals
- 31changed the battery
- 32put it on the oscilloscope
- 33cleaned the sensors
- 34took it to a mechanic to change spark plugs, clean the accelerator body, and clean the injectors
- 35checked the battery charging and fuses
- 36Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery
- 37Replacing the battery or alternator
- 38Cycling the key a second time
- 39Jiggling the key on the first turn
- 40Turning the key to 'on' for a second before cranking
- 41Replacing the ignition switch
- 42Replacing ignition components like the module, cap, rotor, and coil
- 43Jumping the electronic spark control and pink wire
- 44Considering distributor replacement
- 45Checking the main fuse for starting on the driver side fuse box
- 46Checking spark plugs and replacing ignition coil pack
- 47Checking fuel pump pressure at the fuel rail
- 48Replacing the crankshaft position sensor
- 49Testing electrical connectors at the fuel injectors with a noid light and multimeter
- 50Taking the car to a mechanic shop for repairs.
- 51checking distributor timing multiple times
- 52checking top dead center (TDC)
- 53taking the carburetor apart
- 54letting the battery charge longer on the jump
- 55using a battery charger overnight
- 56checking for loose or bad connections
- 57Charging the battery overnight
- 58Replacing the old battery with a new one
- 59Checking spark plugs for spark
- 60Listening for the fuel pump to hum
- 61Scanning for OBD-II trouble codes
- 62Replacing components sequentially
- 63Pulling plugs and coils to check for wet or dry conditions
- 64Checking spark, fuel delivery, injector pulse, and compression
- 65checking relays
- 66hitting the starter solenoid while someone cranks the car
- 67testing battery voltage with a multimeter
- 68taking the battery to an auto parts store to be charged and checked
- 69Replacing parts like the fuel pump, fuel filter, and crank position sensor
- 70Using starting fluid or gas-soaked rags on the air filter to get the engine to catch
- 71Using a jump-start to get the car running daily
- 72Taking the battery to an auto parts store for testing
- 73Try starting with jumper cables.
- 74Check battery terminals and grounds for looseness.
- 75Trying to jump start the battery multiple times
- 76Removing the starter to test it at an auto parts store before replacing
- 77Replacing spark plugs, alternators, regulators, batteries, distributor caps, and rotors based on guesswork
- 78Planning to change the oil and speculating about various potential sensor, fuel, and timing issues
- 79Replacing fuel injectors
- 80Guessing potential issues like a fuel pump or electrical problem
- 81inspecting the alternator, loose battery terminals, or the ignition switch
- 82Using a jump start to see if it fires
- 83Ensuring starter connections to positive and ground are clean
- 84Replacing multiple parts sequentially (spark plugs, fuel pump, crankshaft sensor)
- 85Trying to jump-start or boost the vehicle
- 86Attempting anti-theft reset procedures
- 87Checking or replacing the starter
- 88Checking for spark or fuel issues
- 89Checking if the fuel filter is clogged
- 90Waiting 5-10 minutes for the car to start back up
- 91Taking it to a mechanic
- 92moving the ground wire to an incorrect engine connection to force starting
- 93cleaning ground connections and checking starter wiring
- 94replacing oxygen sensors
- 95letting fuel pump prime multiple times
- 96spraying starting fluid directly into the intake
- 97considering checking or replacing the starter
- 98Trying to prime the fuel system using a hand pump
- 99Towing the vehicle to get it started
- 100Checking live diagnostic data for engine speed and rail pressure
- 101getting the battery tested
- 102cleaning battery terminals
- 103checking the ground strap with a jumper cable
- 104jump starting with battery pack
- 105trying in park and neutral while wiggling shifter
- 106pressing brakes harder
- 107wiggling key in ignition
- 108inspecting fuses
- 109replacing parts like the fuel pump, crankshaft position sensor, fuel rail pressure sensor, spark plugs, and purge valve
- 110checking for spark, coil pack resistances, and throttle body operation
- 111testing with starting fluid
- 112unplugging the MAF sensor
- 113Trying to jump the car
- 114Cleaning battery acid and corrosion
- 115Cleaning terminals with a wire brush and baking soda and water mix
- 116Checking and cleaning the ground cable at the frame
- 117Tapping on the starter with a hammer while trying to start
- 118using a jumper to start the car
- 119Keeping the engine running manually to prevent it from dying
- 120Attempting to start the car multiple times until it catches
- 121Trying to diagnose and test EVAP components at home to avoid shop fees
- 122attempting to jump start the vehicle
- 123checking for diagnostic trouble codes
- 124planning to tow the vehicle to a mechanic
- 125check grounds and battery post connections
- 126lightly tap the starter motor on the side with a hammer
- 127Replacing the key fob battery
- 128Measuring battery voltage with a multimeter
- 129Holding the key directly on top of the start button
- 130Using jumper cables with another car
- 131Trying to jump start the battery with a portable device
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“It’s been having trouble starting, it cranks and cranks and cranks until it kills the battery.”source ↗
“On its last drive, 5 days ago, it died a quiet death while in motion. No dramatics. Just powered down, wrastled to the roadside where it now rests.”source ↗
“The air filter (which we just outright removed before even changing the distributor) is soaked in gas (and dead bugs steeped in gas), the oil smells like gas, the spark plugs smell of gas.”source ↗
“1977 c10 with a sbc 350. New built motor, checked timing on the distributor like 5 times as well as checking tdc and no movement on the valves for cam timing.”source ↗
“Fuel is old which could be a factor but still doesnt fire up with starter fluid.”source ↗
“Backfires through the exhaust and carb sometimes.”source ↗
“drove it home one night and when i went to the car the next day it wouldn't start. put a new battery in it tried to start it and this is all i get. I'm assuming it's a starter at this point...but a friend mentioned to check my relays.”source ↗
“I’ve just gotten home from getting my fuel injectors replaced (original diagnosed issue with the car) and this problem is still happening.”source ↗
“For more context, this happens when the engine seems to be sitting in the sun for a bit or generally just hot, when I start it cold after a night of it not being in use, it starts first time with no lag!”source ↗
“Car wont start when a ground wire is in the correct place which is from the chassis to the engine cover ( yellow arrow ) but it will start when its in the wrong place and connected to the engine ( blue arrow )”source ↗
“When the car is running its running rough and im getting a P0131 code for Primary 02 Sensor low voltage and ive tried 3 different sensors and hooked up a OBD scanner and watched the voltage change so i dont understand why im getting this code?”source ↗
“Things ive tried: jump starting with those powerful battery operated ones that instantly start big trucks, trying in park and neutral while wiggling shifter, pressing brakes harder, wiggling key in ignition in all kinds of ways.”source ↗
“Fuses looks good visually, in video you see that the green 30 amp one doesnt connect a circuit but the metal inside looks visually perfect which leads me to believe that it is something going on with whatever is under the fuse..which i have no idea how you fix that.”source ↗
“When I tried to start it, the engine light was flashing and the car started shaking.”source ↗
“my 97 cobra went from starting like a top to cranking only.”source ↗
“Fuel is getting to injectors, 40psi, but fuel is not being shot into the cylinders and injectors are receiving proper voltage.”source ↗
“2012 Ford Focus automatic with a 2.0l and 227k mikes cranks but won't start with no (relevant) codes.”source ↗
“At this point I'm kind of at a loss on where to go, does anyone have any ideas or advice that might help us get on the right track here?”source ↗
“Hi I have a vw passst b7 2014 and can’t start it sometimes. It cranks and sound like it’s gonna start then just dies.”source ↗
“now it cranks but doesn't turn over and the engine bay smells like gas when I crank it.”source ↗
“My 2015 charger rt will not start and it just keeps turning over for about 10 seconds before stoping.”source ↗
“It either cranks but stops, or will not do anything at all on the first key turn. second key turn is always a perfectly fine start up.”source ↗
“today i went to go start my truck and it was dead after i jump started it and it turned over and i heard a loud pop now the truck wont start at all.”source ↗
“my instrument cluster had stopped working the day prior when i was driving it apart from that the truck was acting fine”source ↗
“I have a 2009 Mercedes e350 with crank no start condition I change fuel injectors spark plugs crankshaft sensor fuel pump fuel injectors is when it all started when I had bad misfires on all cylinders”source ↗
“Dash lights up but the car doesn’t turn over when I turn the key. It just clicks heaps. I also just got a new battery.”source ↗
“Car taking long to start when turning key”source ↗
“I have a problem with my car. Two months ago, when I got in, it was hard to start—you turn the key, the car struggles, and nothing else happens.”source ↗
“the car stalled right at a traffic light and barely started; it probably took about 20 attempts cranking the starter.”source ↗
“On the 3rd lap, the car started losing power. Even when pressing the gas pedal, it kept losing power, then after 2-3 seconds it started picking up, but exactly as I was turning around for the 4th lap, the car stalled and wouldn't start anymore.”source ↗
“pulled over, and the bike just died completely on its own. Not even sure when the tape ripped off during the ride. Now it won't start at all.”source ↗
“there is a spark, but the plug keeps coming out completely soaked in gas like crazy. When I crank it it just makes occasional pop sounds and refuses to catch.”source ↗
“Over the past 3 years, my kia has been dying constantly.”source ↗
“Even after replacing the starter it died again and again.”source ↗
“Recently its been dying every couple of days again and i dont know what to try anymore.”source ↗
“Im tired of jumpstarting and charging my car and being shocked when it actually starts.”source ↗
“No crank at all, no starter click”source ↗
“Everything electrical works but very weakly (windows, central locking, fuel pump)”source ↗
“Interior and trunk lights stay on”source ↗
“Same problem with different batteries”source ↗
“07 VW Passat cranks strong but won't start — began after rear brake job”source ↗
“So my 2005 2.0 liter Jetta was slow to start for a day or two. Then it just wouldn’t. Heard it trying with a click or two.”source ↗
“Nothing happened except some chugs and a click or two. Now it hardly chugs at all and is only one single click.”source ↗
“I got it tested and it said good”source ↗
“Nope. Spotless.”source ↗
“Tried to jump it, got the battery tested and was told it looked good. Have accessory power.”source ↗
“Not sure where to go from here. At this point likely a tow to a mechanic as I’m out of my realm here”source ↗
“I replaced the fuel pump on my 06 jeep liberty 3.7l was able to drive it around for about 2 weeks no problem. I was stopped at a stop sign and when I accelerated it lost all power and went totally limp, as if someone took the key out of the ignition. It cranks but won’t turn over now, I did some troubleshooting and I think it is still fuel related.”source ↗
“I did check the pressure valve and it is getting fuel”source ↗
“Accidentally shorted while installing new battery. Car won’t turn over, engine fan blows hard.”source ↗
“Not getting power to F22 and F23 fuses.”source ↗
“Car displays ECM fault, but Code reader won’t connect to car so I can verify (it powers up but can’t link).”source ↗
“recently noticed that its taking a little longer to start than it used to”source ↗
“sometimes it cranks for about 1-2 seconds before actually starting”source ↗
“The weird thing is it doesnt seem to happen all the time”source ↗
“if I leave it parked for around 3-4 hours thats when I notice the longer crank”source ↗
“If I drive it, turn it off for about 10 minutes, and then try to restart it, it sometimes refuses to turn over right away. It takes 4-5 seconds of cranking on the starter and multiple attempts, and it might not even start.”source ↗
“On the next attempt, it cranked normally but would not start. The battery is good and the engine cranks at its normal speed/sound. An OBD scan showed P0301 . Can a P0301 by itself cause the engine to completely refuse to start, or would a crank-no-start usually indicate another underlying problem as well?”source ↗
“I can unplug the wire and get it to crank somewhat easily on the remaining fuel in the rail and then quickly reconnect the wire and it will run.”source ↗
“There does seem to be a bit of a weak fuel pressure when I do get it to run and the wire reconnected”source ↗
“Still doesn’t start too happily but for a “temporary” fix it might have to do.”source ↗
“Unfortunately this is a stock relay. It absolutely clicks on and off, quite loud. The used to work absolutely fine but I redid the head and now that it’s all back together it does this”source ↗
“When I try to turn it over it just sputters. Help please!”source ↗
“Key in ignition, turn it, absolutely nothing happens. No clicking, no sound, no lights, nothing.”source ↗
“I have a 2006 Honda Accord Euro R with a K20A(JDM) and the car won't crank. How do i jump the starter? I don't know which two bolts to bridge...”source ↗
“Can I just use a screw driver to bridge the two bolts to start it ?”source ↗
“Are you able to circle the bolts i need to bridge ?”source ↗
“Thank you I had it for a few months and was hoping it's not the starter”source ↗
“Have a new job starting this week and it’s stressing me out thinking the car is gonna leave me sit!”source ↗
“Still have no spark. Can't figure out what's going on.”source ↗
“No fire at all. Sat a plug on the frame and cranked and got no spark at all.”source ↗
“i forgot to mention my gas pedal also stopped working is that a sign it jumped time too?”source ↗
“I have a 2009 Kia Spectra ex that stopped turning over over night.”source ↗
“Everything electric seems to be working but I'm not achieving combustion. I can hear the engine trying to start but it fails every time.”source ↗
“I checked all of the spark plugs after attempting to start the car and they were dry and only smelled like the engine.”source ↗
“I'm running out of ideas as to what the issue may be. Any help would be appreciated.”source ↗
“Just today my Ford focus died. It started as usual but after a few seconds the engine stopped. I tried to start it again but it won’t start.”source ↗
“So my car usually starts rough on Monday’s after sitting for a couple of days but today it just won’t start at all I checked the spark plugs and they all have spark I can hear the fuel pump humming when I first turn the car to on.”source ↗
“multimeter showed my battery was at a 6 and that was after we tried to jump it. bought this battery yesterday and it read 12.6 or so”source ↗
“starter was my fear from the...start”source ↗
“When warm the car is turned off (i.e groceries) and when coming, sometimes the car cranks and cranks but will not start.”source ↗
“Car would run fine when cool, would start acting up when warmed/idle/ sitting for a while.”source ↗
“My car has been unable to start recently and I'm looking for some advice before I go into a shop.”source ↗
“When I press the brake pedal and hit the start button, nothing happens. The dash stays black, no clicking/cranking.”source ↗
“The car starts immediately when jump-started, and runs fine until the next day.”source ↗
“Since it starts up fine with a jump, is this a battery failing despite the store test?”source ↗
“Whenever I turn the key to the start position, the dash lights up and everything seems fine, but whenever I try to crank the engine, the dash goes black except for the check engine light. There is no noise whatsoever whenever I try to turn the key all the way. I changed the battery and starter/starter solenoid.”source ↗
“Went to go to work, crank no start. Tried boosting it. No changes. Replaced the spark plugs and housing. No changes. Replaced the fuel pump. No changes. Replaced the crankshaft sensor. No changes.”source ↗
“Pulled into a parking spot, parked and turned the car off, tried to start the car a few minutes later and it does this.”source ↗
“No engine code this time and won't start at all”source ↗
“2018 Kia sorento AWD FE v6. This usually happens when the car has been sitting a while, it doesn’t start for about 5-10 minutes and then it starts right back up like nothing happened”source ↗
“It’s been happening on and off for a few months anyone know what could be the issue?”source ↗
“Scion TC 2008 , car won't start after pumping gas. Help me”source ↗
“Pulled into a parking spot, parked and turned the car off, tried to start the car a few minutes later and it does this.”source ↗
“This time there is no code and it won't start at all”source ↗
“My boyfriends truck will not start.”source ↗
“The lights come on but when we turn to key to start ignition all the lights shut off and it does not crank.”source ↗
“We went to Oreily, picked up a new battery, installed and same issue. Will not crank or start, lights come on but shut off when trying to start ignition.”source ↗
“After refueling, the car usually won’t start on the first or second attempt.”source ↗
“On the third attempt it will start, but it doesn’t want to idle and dies unless I keep it running.”source ↗
“Nope, it never would crank.”source ↗
“My MX5 (2019 ND) won’t seem to start, it “ticks” as if it wants too however there is no successful start.”source ↗
“I was driving my civic earlier but suddenly the brake pedal is locked tight and when I crank the key there is no noise at all. I tried jumping the battery but no luck.”source ↗
“When I crank the key it is completely silent”source ↗
“I have a portable device I tried”source ↗
“Very occasionally, when I press the start button, the starter just slowly chugs once, like it would if it had a dead battery. But then it continues on and starts with no problem.”source ↗
“Hey y’all I’m new to everything cars but i figure I’d try to fix this ol boy up.”source ↗
“It recently had a really bad throttle body that a mechanic shop fixed up for me but few days later it crapped out”source ↗
“it’s making this noise right now and I’m not sure how to diagnose it”source ↗
“I have a blower motor issue which I’m diagnosing a bad blower motor but just wanting to get advice. I have an ECM motor which I checked for 240V going into the motor and a 24V signal and I get both. Condenser comes on but furnace does not. Any advice or I’m good to change out the motor?”source ↗
“it would stall for no reason and tick all the witnesses, I changed the battery and it worked fairly normally for a day or so, then in the evening it just stopped again, but the odd thing was that it would start up but it would not tick any revs.”source ↗
“I have a 2006 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) and there's no crank when i try to start it. How do I use a screwdriver to jump the starter?”source ↗
“I went away for a few days and I came back to this when.i started my car. I have tried to jump it but it doesn't help at all.”source ↗
“I think it's a dead battery but the fact jumping from my neighbours car doesn't help makes me worried.”source ↗
“since a week almost every night when i start the car it wont start.. i have to use the jumper to start it ..”source ↗
Where this came up
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