01 Firebird turns over but will not start

[dove66]

Hi all, I have a problem with my 01 firebird, she turns over strong but will not start even with starter fluid. I have checked the following: checked the fuel pump, and fuel pressure (fine), changed fuel filter (fine), checked/tested 3 coil packs (fine), checked/tested ignition module tray (fine), checked pressure of fuel going into throttle body (fine), checked ground to frame (fine), tried cranking in nuetral and park, security light goes out durning turn over, changed oxygen sensor, all accessories work fine. However, I am not getting any spark on any plug. Does anyone have any idea what the issue may be?

Thank you,
Jerry

[guitar0408]

I have the exact same problem. Just wondering if Jerry ever got an answer?
I started the car and all was fine. I got a 1/2 mile from my house and the engine stalled. I managed to pull over in a parking lot. I tried restarting the car and it turned over, but sputtered as I gave it gas. I had to pump the pedel just to keep it from stalling. It finally stalled. I kept trying after waiting a little. some times it would start, sometimes not. I had it towed home the next day, but before I did, I tried to start it again. It started right away, ran normal, I drove it 150 ft across the parking lot and then it stalled again. It just cranks strong now, but will not start. Any one have any ideas? My 2001 Firebird has only 55k miles on it. I have had to change a couple the coils more than once after misfire problems. could it be the ignition control module?
Thanks,
Pete

[Tech II]

You should start your own thread, instead of jumping on one with no solution.....

Which engine? Check for codes? Check fuel pressure? Check for spark? Injector pulse?

Will it start if you spray cab cleaner into the intake?

[guitar0408]

Originally Posted by Tech II

You should start your own thread, instead of jumping on one with no solution.....

Which engine? Check for codes? Check fuel pressure? Check for spark? Injector pulse?

Will it start if you spray cab cleaner into the intake?

Thank you, I will start a new thead. Just thought that guy may have found his solution by now and could give me that advise.....
My engine is the 3.8 V6. I just got it home and I'm about to do some trouble shooting. What I can tell you now is that the only code that comes up is the P0420 code that had my check engine light on for 6 months now. It is a Catalyst System Low Efficiency code. I think it maybe just a bad oxygen sensor though because the car ran and performed great up until this recent problem.
Pete

[Tech II]

The oxygen sensor has nothing to do with starting a vehicle.....

Pull a few plugs and check the condition of them(replace if fouled...use OEM)......check fuel pressure.....check for spark on all 6 cylinders......see if vehicle starts with carb cleaner sprayed into the intake.....see if car starts with MAF disconnected....check the vac line to the F/P regulator for gas....

If it still won't start, the fact you have a P0420, you should eliminate the exhaust as a potential problem....disconnect the O2 sensor and remove it......See if the vehicle now starts....

[guitar0408]

Originally Posted by Tech II

The oxygen sensor has nothing to do with starting a vehicle.....

Pull a few plugs and check the condition of them(replace if fouled...use OEM)......check fuel pressure.....check for spark on all 6 cylinders......see if vehicle starts with carb cleaner sprayed into the intake.....see if car starts with MAF disconnected....check the vac line to the F/P regulator for gas....

If it still won't start, the fact you have a P0420, you should eliminate the exhaust as a potential problem....disconnect the O2 sensor and remove it......See if the vehicle now starts....

Yes ofcourse the oxygen sensor has nothing to do with starting the car...lol. Thats why I said its been bad for 6 months. Rained all day to day ,so I'll check the car out soon as possible. Thank you for the check list! I think you may have hit it with the pressure regulator. I looked up symptoms of a bad one and I saw something familliar. It said that the fuel pump may be noisey at times. A few times when I tried starting it, I heard a knocking sound that seemed to come from under the car. Maybe from the F/P on the gas tank? I'll check the Press/reg vac line for gas first. I'll let you know how I make out!....Thanks again!

[Tech II]

The knocking under the car could be the sound of a broken up cat, that is rattling and blocking the exhaust....that is why I asked you to remove the O2 sensor and try to start the car....

[guitar0408]

Originally Posted by Tech II

The knocking under the car could be the sound of a broken up cat, that is rattling and blocking the exhaust....that is why I asked you to remove the O2 sensor and try to start the car....

I removed the 02 sensor after the converter, the car did not start. It did start however when I used starter fluid. So I'm guessing that eliminated the other ignition issues? ... I'm now going though your more of your check list.

.....Didn't start with MAF disconnected..... I had the key tured while I listened for the fuel pump to turn on. I couldn't hear it for sure, but it is windy outside, hard to tell. I checked the fuel pump fuse(good)... checked the fuel pump relay(good)... I dont have a gauge to check fuel pressure. Is there another way to be sure the F/P is working?

[izzydjinn]

@dove666
Asuming its a v6 since you said 3coils, its a good chance its the MAP SENSOR.......

[Tech II]

"I removed the 02 sensor after the converter, the car did not start. It did start however when I used starter fluid."


When you check for a blocked exhaust, you remove the pre O2 sensor, not the post O2 sensor....

But since it started with starter fluid, you have one of two problems: either you have no fuel pressure(bad pump, low on fuel, or problem with circuit to pump)......OR.......the injectors are not firing(blown fuse, no crank signal to PCM, no fuel enable signal to PCM, bad PCM, wiring problem, etc.)....

I assume it started and ran as long as you sprayed, and died when you stopped spraying? OR, did it continue to run after it started?

[izzydjinn]

Well, did you check the MAP SENSOR?