Let me just start by saying I really don't know much at all about cars. Now here's the problem... I have a 1998 automatic with 4WD that I just bought a few days ago. When I went to look at the car it was sitting on a sloped driveway and when the owner went to start it up, the engine cranked just fine but wouldn't turn over. He told me this was because of where it was sitting and was low on gas (which was true, it only had like 1/8 of a tank if that). So he went and gas and put it in and within a few minutes and a couple more tries it started right up and drove home from RI to CT just fine. It sat at my house for less than 3 days and today when I went out to start it, it's doing the same thing all over again. I currently have about 1/4 of a tank of gas and the truck is NOT sitting on a slope. So far I've been told it could be a fuel pump, an alternator, a starter, and as simple as new spark plugs or a tune-up. Help??? LoL =(

 

So it does turn over and eventually starts? Does it start right back up after you shut it off? Sounds like you could have a problem with the fuel pressure bleeding down when it sits for awhile.

 

Try cycling the key a few times prior to actually cranking the engine over, waiting for the pump to start, then shut off. If this helps, then you likely have a check valve or other fuel pressure bleed off problem.

You could also diagnose this with a fuel pressure gauge.

 

bandidolenny:
Well it turned over and started up to bring it home, but now it won't again and it has gas in it this time and isn't on a hill.

 

swartlkk:
What do you mean when you say cycle the key, turn it back and forth a few times? Just wanna be sure before I go do it. And how will I know when the pump starts?

 

Hey Kris.
I think we need to define some terms to help understand things. "Turnover" and "crank" are usually referred as the same thing. These two terms mean that when you attempt to start the engine, the starter turns the engine over (cranks). I'm guessing you're meaning that it does this but the engine doesn't start and stay running? If you can hear the engine turning over (cranking) then your starter and battery, and most likely the alternator, are working properly.
If the engine turns over, but won't start or stay running, then you have diagnose the good 'ol fuel and ignition systems.

 

1998MSO:
LoL Sorry, I started this thing saying I didn't know much about cars. Put it this way... When I turn the key to start it, it sounds like it wants to start like it doesn't make a clicking noise, it makes likes the starting noise a car makes when you turn the key for that split second before it does turn over and the motor starts running (almost like a revving sound but not quite)... EXCEPT that never happens with mine. It never actually turns over and starts up and runs. I get that sound and that's about it, but the truck never actually turns on. (Although lights and radio and everything do so for note, it's not the battery I'm assuming..)
Is that better? I tried LoL =/

 

Kris,
Swartek is referring to a "trick" (test) to check the fuel pump. Your vehicle has the fuel pump located in the fuel tank. When you turn the ignition key to 'run' (not start) you should be able to hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds (have a friend listen if able by the rear drivers tire-it makes a humming sound when functioning). When you turn the key to 'off' the fuel pump should also run for a couple of seconds. Doing this cycle of key to run then off sometimes builds up the pressure enough to fire up the engine (not always!). Just because you can hear the fuel pump humming doesn't eliminate the fuel pump. It can still make noise but still not build up sufficient pressure to start the engine. Of course, the proper diagnoses is to attach a fuel pressure gauge and make sure it's achieving proper pressure (min 55 psi I believe) and it maintains pressure even after shutting the engine off.

 

youll need 60+ psi for the truck to actually start and once shut off it shouldnt drop more than 2-3psi.

 

1998MSO:
Thank you! I'm not sure if it's the exact noise you're talking about, but I do hear a humming noise when I turn the key. I will try to get my neighbor to listen for it again tomorrow however just to make sure. Do you happen to know where I can get a fuel pressure gauge?