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fiveoformula
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Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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 Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: Another no start problem... |
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Im trying to help out my step brother with his GMC safari van.
He didn't give me the best info about what happened, but from what I can gather, he was driving along and it died on him.
I jumped in and turned the key, didn't hear the pump prime, when you try to crank it, you hear the starter engauge but it doesn't turn over the engine.
All lights are on nice and bright too.
So I grab my meter and find the battery has 12.1v, shouldn't that be enough to turn it over? it didn't change when I gave it a jump with my car either...
Thats about how far I got with it, but im curious if theres anything odvious im missing...
Thanks for any help guys!
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'88 FORMULA |
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chevymad
Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 5476
1987 Pontiac Formula
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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| First I'd make sure the motor turns over by hand and isnt seized. You need to check voltage while someone tries to crank it. Just having voltage doesnt mean that the battery has any power. If you hit the key and it drops to 5 or 6.. well batterys dead,trash, or starter is. Try rapping on the starter with a hammer lightly while someone tries cranking the van.. Sometimes the starter can get stuck from low voltage. Then you can't even jump start it. |
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fiveoformula
Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, thats a good place to start. Also forgot to mention he just had a fuel pump put in about 2 months ago and he said "it did the same thing as before" (when the pump went). And I can't get a sound from the tank when the key is turned on.
So I may have 2 issues here. |
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fiveoformula
Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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So I finally got a chance to look at this thing today, decided to take the starter out and get it tested, it passed with flying colors. Went back home and put it in, good power from the battery, still nothing.
I then decide to check the oil. Can you say SLUDGE?! when I wiped the stick nothing came off and no oil read. 
So I tried turning the engine by hand again and I realize that its the bolt that turns, not the crank (checked in the dark last time)  .
So I think its safe to say the engine is frozen up.
Then for kicks, pulled the drain plug and got 1 drop of what looks like hot fudge sundae. lol
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DBL_TKE
Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1505
Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| fiveoformula wrote: |
I then decide to check the oil. Can you say SLUDGE?! when I wiped the stick nothing came off and no oil read.
Then for kicks, pulled the drain plug and got 1 drop of what looks like hot fudge sundae. lol |
I had that same experience changing the oil in my parents jeep. I was surprised it still ran. I later found out that I had done the first oil change in over 50K miles
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Richmond 3.73 posi| 36/24 sway bars | SLP LM2 | Koni's | Ground Control 800/200 | Y2K wheels | Dyno Don headers & Y-pipe | airfoil | BBK underdrive pulleys | Raised strut mounts | Extended ball joints | LCARB'S
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83Z28BlackBetty
Bam-Ba-Lam
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 2083
Location: Aloha
1983 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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oh yikes! when was the last time he did an oil change?
~JAKE
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1983 Z-28 5.7 LT1, T56, Headman headers, BW 9 Bolt Posi Disc, WS6 suspension
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kutison
Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2008
Posts: 222
Location: Troutdale, OR
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, I can't sleep if I'm overdue by more then 100 miles  |
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aaron_sK
Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 8834
Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| fiveoformula wrote: | | its the bolt that turns, not the crank |
Wait... so you had the crank balancer bolt turning clockwise without moving the crank?
BTW, that thing would have been knocking for quite awhile without oil. He forgot to mention that though, didn't he? |
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fiveoformula
Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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| aaron_sK wrote: | | fiveoformula wrote: | | its the bolt that turns, not the crank |
Wait... so you had the crank balancer bolt turning clockwise without moving the crank?
BTW, that thing would have been knocking for quite awhile without oil. He forgot to mention that though, didn't he? |
Yes it turned clockwise. And according to him, it just stopped "just like when the fuel pump broke."
when I turned the key the first time the stereo started blaring... and he isn't a car guy anyway, so im sure he wasn't listening for a knock. It had to be screaming..
Im sure he's never changed the oil if he's anything like his mom. 
I too loose sleep if im getting close to 3,000. lol |
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