engine turns over,but doesn't start.

[gep210]

I have a 96 dodge stratus,the engine turns over but will not start.I've been racking my brain over this,but cannot figure out the problem.Please any suggestions?

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[01indigoR/T]

check to see if yur fuel pump is working. easiest way to check is to let the car sit for a couple mins, them turn the key but dont start the car, you should be able to here the pump working. youll here is for like a sec. if you dont here anything odds are the pump is shot. If its working then you may have a clogged fuel filter. hope this helps

[Cornfed20]

Also try this if you suspect a fuel pump. Have someone turn the key to start the vehicle while you bang on the fuel tank with a mallet or the ball of your hand (don't bash at it!) . Be sure the car is in park and on a level surface of course. If the car starts up while banging it's the fuel pump. Check your fuel pump relay and fuse also.

[Woody17]

Did you also check for spark?

[oudodou]

It'd be helpful to have more info on the car. Have you performed a “key-on� bite check of the ECM and if so, you got any codes to share? With no DTC codes or car information here’s what I’d do.


As noted in an earlier reply, the electric fuel pump will only run a few seconds when the ignition switch is selected to the "run" position with the engine "not running". The ECM computer controls the electric fuel pump circuit separately from the fuel nozzle grounding circuits and crankshaft / camshaft position sensor circuits.

1). If you suspect a fuel pressure/supply issue, try injecting gasoline (with a spray bottle rig) into the throttle body (hold throttle open) while cranking the engine and see if she lights off. If so, install a fuel pressure gauge to fuel manifold rail and troubleshoot the fuel system (ie. Clogged fuel filter, electric fuel pump output or even the fuel pressure regulator). If no start, go to next step.

2) Before troubleshooting the ignition system, I would verify that the engine “auto shutdown� relay has not failed. Many Dodge products have a relay called “auto shutdown� that is always energized when the ignition switch is in the “crank� or “run� position. I case of an auto accident (impact), the engine “auto shutdown� relay will de-energize the engine fuel injector power circuit as well as the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. It’s a safety thing.

Gain access to one of the engine fuel injector connector (look on the forward facing cylinders, pretty easy) and carefully disconnect it. Turn the ignition switch to the “run� position. Using a DC voltmeter, check for 12 volts dc on one of the fuel injector connector pins. If you can’t get to the fuel injector connector, check for 12 volts dc at the crankshaft and/or camshaft position sensor connectors.

If no 12 volt dc power is found at the fuel injector connector (crankshaft / camshaft sensors too) the “auto shutdown� relay has failed. I’m not sure but I think you can found the relay mounted on the drivers side engine compartment firewall. It may be mounted in a bracket with two other relays. If you find, you can simply jump 12 volts dc across the relay connector to supply power to the fuel injector circuit and your car will start. That relay has killed more than one Dodge.

Give this a try on let me know. If this doesn’t help will do the ignition IC circuit thing.

Kendall