Car Cranks But Won't Start
The starter turns the engine normally but it never fires. That separates it from a battery problem and points at spark, fuel, or the crank signal.
What it feels like
- A normal, even cranking sound that goes on and on without catching
- No sputter at all, not even a brief attempt to run
- The dashboard lights come on as usual
- Sometimes it starts fine cold but refuses when warm
Codes that usually produce this
Check these first, in this order
Free checks first. Nothing here costs money except the fuel you burn.
- 1
Watch rpm on the scanner while cranking. This one reading splits the diagnosis in half.
What you'll seeA reading of 200 to 300 rpm while cranking. A flat zero means the computer sees no rotation.
- 2
Listen at the fuel filler with the key on for two seconds. A faint whine means the pump is priming.
What you'll seeA short hum from the tank. Silence means check the pump circuit before anything else.
- 3
Check the battery voltage at rest and while cranking with a meter on the posts under the hood.
What you'll seeAt least 12.4V at rest and above 10V during crank.
Stop and get it looked at if
- You smell raw fuel while cranking, which means the engine is flooding.
- The engine cranks slowly or clicks, which is a battery or starter problem rather than this one.
- Multiple warning lights are on at once, which points at a network fault.