2005 sunfire will crank but not start

[tonja1986]

I have a 2005 sunfire that will not start. i drove it to work just fine in the morning, but when i got off work it would not start.

The engine will crank just fine, but it wont fire. you can hear the fuel pump when you first turn the key, so i know its not a pump problem.

Anyone have any ideas what it might be?

 

[melsg5]

You have to run a fuel pressure test, just because the pump runs doesn't mean you have sufficient pressure.
You have to check for spark at the plugs.
I assume the security light is not on.

 

[EaOutlaw]

For now lets keep it simple and check the basics,
Oil and Water level, Check battery connections for corrosion or looseness Check fluid level in the battery if serviceable.
If you had any recent work done to the car reinspect the new work. Many times a unusual condition or symptom can develop after work has been done from broken plastic retaining clips on harness connectors,
IF you still do not see a problem, you or someone has to perform basic test to determine what is missing Air? fuel? spark? compression? if your car doesn't have all four needs satisfied it just will not run,

 

[Bipoy]

I am an owner of the 2001 model. The exact same situation happened to me 6 years ago.
First day at work in my new job in a rainy day. After work car won't start, I got new batteries and enough power so I knew it was something else. Left enough battery power while I try to figure out what was the problem. The sun was down when a colleague at work noticed I was in trouble since the hood is open. He wanted to help and asked me to try starting again to see if he can find a symptom. From that dark evening my colleague saw a spark arc on my distribution cables as I try to start it. From there he figured the bad cables. Glad to have some electrical tape with me all the time. Wrapped the tape around and in just a single click "Boom" the engine started.

Sorry I have to tell you my life story but I just want to point out how one can learn and fix something by luck.

______________________________

 

[bradashton]

I am an owner of the 2001 model. The exact same situation happened to me 6 years ago.
First day at work in my new job in a rainy day. After work car won't start, I got new batteries and enough power so I knew it was something else. Left enough battery power while I try to figure out what was the problem. The sun was down when a colleague at work noticed I was in trouble since the hood is open. He wanted to help and asked me to try starting again to see if he can find a symptom. From that dark evening my colleague saw a spark arc on my distribution cables as I try to start it. From there he figured the bad cables. Glad to have some electrical tape with me all the time. Wrapped the tape around and in just a single click "Boom" the engine started.

Sorry I have to tell you my life story but I just want to point out how one can learn and fix something by luck.

Where are those cables located exactly? I searched google for "distribution cables" and nothing relevant came up.

 

[EaOutlaw]

Bipoy mentioned a problem that had the same symptom engine cranks but it would not start.

There are many reasons your car will do the same thing, crank and not start.

This does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that the problem or cure is the same.

Bipoy whom is not a technician with many years of experience repairing cars for a living
explained it was by dumb luck that his problem was stumbled across and temporary repaired using electrical tape.

when your ready for help diagnosing your car you found the right forum.

If you want or need a magic wire to tug on or part to replace that will fix your car, you may be waiting for a long time for the answer to that one.