Its a weird problem that is not very persistent. Sometimes it will not start and sometimes it will. I thought it was a grounding wire issue, one of the grounding wires was loose, but it solved that problem and it still sometimes happens. The battery works, but the engine will sometimes not crank. Today was hot and it did not crank in the heat of the day, so it might have something to do with the heat. I am not the best with cars, so help me out please. I know it is not the battery or alternator because triple A came out and tested them both, the battery is good and the alternator is putting out more than 12v. Let me know of all possible reasons for this and I will check it out and return with a verdict.

 

search this forum for how to diagnose an intermitent crankshaft position sensor with a bottle of water .

It was just posted by a clever LR tech a few days ago.

 

If it is not cranking (turning over, trying to start) then it is not going to be the crankshaft sensor.

After saying that, you say AAA tested both the battery and the alternator. The only way to test an alternator is with the engine running, so was AAA able to get it started?

When it doesn't start, does it click, does it make no sound, does it go "ruh ruh ruh ruh ruh ruh" like a vehicle that is out of gas?

 

No it doesnt even sound like its cranking. No noise at all. And yes the engine turned on when triple A came out.

 

check to make sure the starter relay is grounding. if it doesn't ground then its probably the xyz switch. if it does then swap the relay and if it still happens then its probably the starter.

 

How do i check for this? Im a poor college student so if i can keep it out of the shop that would be ideal.

By the way, since your an LR tech maybe ill ask you instead of starting a new thread. i just bought the car with 131K miles. What is the routine/scheduled maintenance for this car besides the obvious oil change? Should i be worrying about replacing the spark plugs soon, etc?

 

run a wire from the starter solenoid to the battery box, turn the key release it, touch the wire to the battery. if it starts every time you do this it's not the starter. it could be a short in the wire to the starter, if you are having problems when it's warmer it could be the CPS.

as for just buying the truck you should do a full maintenance as you don't know how well it was taken care of before you purchased it. i would do plugs, wires, oil, tranny oil, TC oil, and the diff fluids as well as rebuild the front drive shaft with greasable u joints and check the rotoflex in the back is not cracked. i would replace the power steering and brake fluids and flush the coolant. run a can of tectron thru the tank, a can of seafoam thru the secondary air intake, new oil and air filters and wipe the throttle body clean with some carb cleaner.

then you should be in good shape.

 

key wont go all the way in cuz it wont turn so i can open the door and disarm the alarm.....need help

 

start a new thread