Need help - Car won't start

**Currdog** · 04-14-2009, 09:50 PM

Thanks for any replies in advance. I've got an 08 SRT8 charger, that I put a vortech kit on a couple of thousand miles ago.

This last Friday, I installed some zoomers, drove it around for a couple of days, and then installed a new PI 2800 RPM torque converter on Monday. Did some light driving, no problem at all, car felt great.

Get it back home, and I noticed that the fluid wasn't running very fast through the aftercooler reservoir, so I figured I had a air bubble, took the top on, and cycled the key from off, to on (without starting), a bunch of times. The electric water pump is wired to the fuel pump fuse, so cycling on and off basically runs the pump for a minute.

Next I go to start the car, it starts for a second, and dies. Try a few more times, and it dies every time. I figured I flooded it or something, left it for an hour, at this point it won't even turn over. I pull the battery, try again, nothing. Check it with my predator, no codes, I even go so far as to re-write the canned vortech tune, still won't turnover. Get pissed off and go inside.

Wait a little longer, come back, and the car starts. It runs for a few minutes, then I go to rev it, just to make myself feel better, and it dies.

Now I'm in over my head, I quit, and go to bed.

Tonight I try again, I check the car over, check the tranny for any loose lines, check the fuse in the fuel pressure booster, all good. no workie. I climb over the car again, spot check a few fuses, and the car starts. I don't dare touch the throttle this time, as I'd like to let it charge a bit. After a couple of minutes, car dies, back to the point now where it won't turn over again. I can hear the starter working it's butt off, but no workie.

Any ideas? I could use some. I'm going to check fuses again, I'm at a loss as there are no codes, and I can't see anything wrong.

Thanks.

**BadRT** · 04-14-2009, 09:57 PM

might be stupid but i would straight wire the starter and see if it will turn over or start.. sounds like the car is thinking its running.. got to love the crank by wire setup all vars are going to

**Currdog** · 04-14-2009, 10:22 PM

Sorry (my terminology is probably wrong), the starter runs, but the engine doesn't start. It's like it either doesn't have fuel, or it doesn't have spark.

Thanks for the reply.

**BadRT** · 04-14-2009, 10:33 PM

well try the ecu reset.. pull fuse 11, 14, 16.. hold key to crank till second chime and replace fuses.. see if that works

**Currdog** · 04-14-2009, 10:45 PM

Will do. I'm turning in for the night, so I'll try it first thing in the morning. I sure hope that works.

Sean

**fnkychkn** · 04-14-2009, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by BadRT

well try the ecu reset.. pull fuse 11, 14, 16.. hold key to crank till second chime and replace fuses.. see if that works

huh? just what is this procedure supposed to accomplish? and where did you learn it?
on your '06, pulling fuse #11 in IPM (integrated power module/front fuse box) for 15 seconds will reset PCM. the rest of your procedure is just smoke and mirrors.
on Currdog's '08, pulling fuse #2 in TIPM (totally integrated power module/front fuse box) will reset the PCM.

Currdog, sounds like you're having CKP (crankshaft position) or CMP (camshaft position) sensor issues.
does it run OK when cold but won't run once it warms up?

btw, welcome to LXforums.

both of you!

**Currdog** · 04-15-2009, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the welcome. Tried pulling fuse 2, but I have the same behavior. I wonder if one of the two sensors you mention is on the bottom driver side of the block, I noticed a connection there when I did the vortech install that didn't look 100% seated, but I left well enough alone at the time.

**Currdog** · 04-15-2009, 09:14 AM

Sorry, didn't answer the other question. The car won't start at all to warm it up, so I'm not sure how it will do warm

It's pretty possible if either sensor is back by the starter, that I screwed it up when I set the starter aside to drop the tranny to install the torque converter.

Sean

**Currdog** · 04-15-2009, 10:46 AM

Did some searching on this forum, and from the sounds of it, the crankshaft position sensor is behind the starter, which I had to take off to get the tranny out. I'd bet I either jacked it up somehow...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I'm going to put the car in the air and see if I can get it working.

**fnkychkn** · 04-15-2009, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Currdog

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

i'm just guessing here. this might be the completely wrong direction.

**Currdog** · 04-17-2009, 05:14 PM

I got to the sensors, both "look" ok, and were plugged in. re-attached the cables firmly, then re-tried. Car does the same, starter cranks, engine doesn't fire up. As a point of interest, I did have to get the starter off the car to get to the crankshaft sensor. No biggie, just a note.

I just ordered replacement sensors for both, grand total was 15 bucks, so I'm hoping that's all it is.

Out of curiosity, is there a good way to test if the sensors are working without replacing them (maybe some kind of multimeter read off of a pin or something?)

**fnkychkn** · 04-17-2009, 08:30 PM

the only way to determine proper cam & crank position sensor operation is to monitor signal output with a lab scope.

**Currdog** · 04-21-2009, 08:30 PM

Just swapped out the cam position sensor and the crank position sensor. Fired up after the cam position sensor, died after about a second, then went back the same old problem.

I'll see if I can figure out how to use a lab scope on it... I'm pretty sure I'm going to be calling the dealership in the morning and get someone who knows what they're doing to look at it.

**Mr. iNCREDIBLE** · 04-21-2009, 08:37 PM

this is gonna sound really stupid...

but...

how much gas is in the tank? near full? if so, remove the gas cap and try to start it...

without going into much detail, I have had my car get vapor locked after refueling because of an issue with the EVAP canister.. it caused the same problem you are describing.. (though I don't have a vortec, or any other internal engine mods)..

just a thought though...