Cranks, just won't start. Sounds like it's trying really hard to turn over but isn't getting the last push to start.

 

Terminology issue here. I would like to politely point out that "cranking" and "turning over" both mean the same thing. "Firing" would indicate trying to start. "Not firing" would indicate engine is cranking, ie turning over, but just not starting or attempting to start. I see this all the time on many forums, you are not the first.

 

Squirt some fuel in the intake, like half an ounce to an ounce, or pour it in, or let a vacuum line suck it in. It should pop or fire. If it does, you have a fuel pump, relay, or CPS issue. No pop/fire? you have an ignition issue.

 

Finally back to working on this project. I sprayed some starter fluid into the intake. First time sounded like it really wanted to fire, but no go. I'm waiting on a starter to arrive this week. The alternator spins when cranking... What other ignition issues should I be looking at?

 

"it really wanted to fire" Does that mean that it fired off a few cylinders and then nothing w/starter fluid?

1) Check the voltage output on the alternator. Battery is also low voltage, but that may be coincidental....

2) But, sounds like you found the answer. No fuel.

Fuel pump relay/fuse checked? Crank sensor?

 

Yeah, it sputtered a few times while cranking, which was more than it has done previously. I'll make a video soon, it's not resolved in the next few days.

Will buy a multimeter tomorrow to check the voltage on the alternator, fuel pump and starter motor relays to cross possible culprits off the list... Hopefully it's not the crank sensor. That'll be a pain in the *** to swap.

Thanks dude.

 

You can't check alternator output...unless it's running.

If you have no spark and no fuel pressure...while cranking over...most likely crank sensor.

Brian.

 

To close this one out, the issue ended up being a bad crank position sensor. Swapped it, and fired right up.