Engine won't turn over. Sound clip included.

[Kelemvor]

Howdy,

Got back from a week long vacation and when I tried to start my car I had trouble. The first time it started right up but then died out after a couple seconds. Since that, it now won't actually turn over (if that's the right term). It just keeps making the sound like it's trying to get the engine to start but it just doesn't actually go. I have a full tank of gas so at least it's not that...

I took a recording of what it sounds like and you can listen to it here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lwj2b5z0gz0mfwx/2017_04_15_12_12_27.mp3?dl=0
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If I hold the key in the Start position, it sometimes sounds like it's about to catch but just never does.

Let me know if anyone has any ideas as to what the problem might be.

Thanks!!

 

[mindless1]

What make model year and engine? Have you checked for OBDII trouble codes? If convenient to do so you might try that.

That is turning over, aka cranking, just not firing so what remains is fuel, spark, and timing, assuming your air filter isn't so clogged up that it's air starved.

See if there's a Schroeder valve on the fuel rail. Pressing it you should get pressurized fuel shooting out after the key is turned to start the engine. Spark plugs, you can pull one, put it back in the cable, hold it (the threads) against an engine ground to see if it's sparking when the engine is turning over. If not spark, try another one and so on, in case it's the ignition module instead of the coils as you're bound to have more than one coil so some cylinders should be getting spark if the ignition module is good.

Timing, could be a bad crankshaft sensor, or a bad MAF sensor can mess up the fuel air ratio too much. There may be some vehicles where a failed oil sensor makes the computer think it's out of oil and refuse to start the engine. There may also be some where a throttle position sensor failure prevents starting, but I mentioned fuel first because it's as likely a fuel pump failure as anything (just giving generic info since we don't know the vehicle specifics yet).

 

[Raizinman]

Remove the air filter and try a spritz of starter fluid. I think that should get it started.

 

[bruceb]

Locate the Mass Air Flow Sensor .. it will be on the air intake tube just after the air filter housing. Disconnect the connector and see if it starts. Happened to me on a 1999 Grand Prix 3.8 V6 when the MAF went bad ... It would crank, but not try to start.

 

[mindless1]

Remove the air filter and try a spritz of starter fluid. I think that should get it started.

Be careful, spraying liquid upstream of a MAF sensor, even a residue free type, can dislodge intake residue and contaminate it. IMO, better to pull the intake off after the MAF or equivalent and spray there and put intake back together quick, or spray it in a vac line instead.