2008 Equinox starts but won't stay running

[rlanders]

I have a 2008 Equinox. The battery went dead so I replaced it now the engine will crank and fire but it won't stay running.

[Tech II]

Do we have the whole story?

By that, I mean, was the vehicle starting ok until the battery died?

Was the battery old? Was something left on?

Did you attempt to jump start the vehicle? Any problem like hooking the cables up wrong?

Was the key out of the ignition or in "off" position when battery was removed/installed? Because if the key was left on, you will have s surge through the vehicle's systems when reconnected........

When a car will crank but not fire, you basically check for spark, fuel pressure, and injector pulse.....

Was the vehicle scanned for codes?

A quick check is to spray carb cleaner into the intake while someone cranks the vehicle,,,,if it starts and runs as long as you spray, it's a fuel delivery problem....either a fuel pressure problem or injectors are not firing......

If it still does not start, check for spark.....

[rlanders]

Yes the car was starting and running fine before the battery battery died. I did scan for codes but there are none. The car starts and runs for 2 or 3 seconds then it dies.

[maxwedge]

Sounds it needs to go thru the idle relearn, can you keep it running by stepping on the gas slightly?

[rlanders]

No I tried to give it a little gas to keep it running but it didn't make any difference. How do you go about relearning the idle?

[rlanders]

I had an old Dodge one time and it did this exact same thing. Turned out to be a ballast resistor. But it acted the same way.

[Ruley73]

Which engine do you have - the 3.4L or 3.6L?

Is the security light/warning on or blinking?

Try locking the doors with the remote, waiting a few minutes then unlocking the doors with the remote and try to start it again.

You could try unhooking the battery again overnight, then reconnecting it in the morning. Make sure the key is removed from the ignition before trying this.
When starting the engine for the first time after reconnecting the battery, make sure all accessories are turned off - specifically the HVAC blower fan and radio.

[rlanders]

I figured out that the key I was using was not being recognized by the computer (however that works). I started it with my spare key and everything was fine. I drove to the other side of town, shut it off, drove it back and even stoped for gas. Then just before I got home the ABS light, Brake light and service traction light all came on. The car died and will start again but will only move a few feet before it dies again. I'm stumped

[Ruley73]

You should recharge the battery and have the alternator tested. I suspect you have a bad alternator.

[rlanders]

Thanks I'll do that I was wondering about that.