Car cranks but won't start

Symptoms

• Engine spins/cranks at normal speed
• Engine does not catch or run
• May crank longer than usual before you give up
• No unusual smell or occasional faint gas smell

Likely causes

• CommonEmpty or near-empty fuel tankAn inaccurate gauge or running on fumes is an easy miss.
• CommonFailed fuel pumpNo fuel pressure means the engine cranks but never gets gas to the cylinders.
• CommonBad ignition coil(s) or spark plugsNo spark means no combustion even with fuel present.
• PossibleBlown fuse or relay for fuel pump or ignitionA single blown fuse can disable an entire system.
• Less commonTiming belt/chain failureOn some engines a broken timing belt causes cranking with no start and can bend valves.

What to do

1. Check the fuel gauge and, if possible, add a gallon of gas as a quick test.
2. Turn the key to 'on' (not start) and listen near the back of the car for a 2-second fuel pump hum; no hum suggests a pump or fuse issue.
3. Check the fuse box (under the hood and inside the car) for a blown fuel pump or ignition fuse using the diagram on the fuse box lid.
4. Have someone crank the engine while you look for spark using a spark tester on a spark plug wire (skip if unfamiliar with ignition systems).
5. Check for a fuel smell at the tailpipe or intake, which can indicate the engine is flooding rather than starving for fuel.
6. If the car recently had fuel or ignition work done, double-check that connectors were reseated.
7. Have the fuel pressure and spark tested with a scan tool and gauge if the basics check out.
8. Avoid repeated long cranking, which can drain the battery and overheat the starter.

Tools and parts

• Fuse puller/tester
• Spark tester (optional)
• Flashlight

When to call a pro

If there's no fuel pump hum, no spark, and fuses are fine, a mechanic with a scan tool can pinpoint the failed component quickly rather than guessing at parts.

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