Cranking No Start -Quick Basic Diagnosis 

My 93 Metro quit on me as I was driving. Came across this vid and decided to check the fuse FOR A 2ND TIME, this time I took it out for a better visual and Thank You Very Much, sir. I knew it was fixed when I heard the fuel pump priming. There was a short in my system that I was able to fix too. Great video.

Man, I've watched a lot of your videos because you are knowledgeable and have a quick way of getting to the problems. I have picked up a few short cuts from you and I appreciate the time and effort you put into these. That being said, those geo metros are awesome. Don't knock em til you try em! Geo for life....

Very well done, Matt. I agree with those who like to see minimalist equipment used, simulating what we might have at the roadside. A similar situation happened to me hundreds of miles from home, and with my family aboard I quickly asked for help from the mechanic in the shop 50 feet away. It took him over an hour to find a blown fuel pump fuse, and to my surprise he only charged me $20 for his time. I think he was feeling a little sheepish he didn't find it sooner. As you say it's not at the top of the list, and other data like the absent spark can send the investigation down the wrong rabbit hole.

I'll never tell another mechanic what to do first, I'm all about learning and it's good to see you're back in the Tube!

Nice! One of my all time fave RU-vidrs!!! So much better than the mainstream mechanic channels.

I have just started to DYI on my van and I found your website. I thank you for you taking the time to explain things.

I'm glad your back Matt ; keep the videos coming for us 2%ers!!

Yes, glad to see another video, you're an inspiration to a hopeless amateur, many thanks and keep them coming.

You are absolutely brilliant. I love your knowledge and the way you interpret it. Give me more.

Thank you Matt for another awesome video! I love the FASTTEC method. Keep up the great work!

Back: Glad to see you again. I always like the overwhelming majority of your videos.

Welcome back matt.. A long awaited video...12 minutes to watch the vid and 45 minutes to read all the comments. Love the humour Keep up the good work

Finally! Someone with a real brain.

Thank Shrondingers Box.....Hopefully soon I can get this Kia Spectra started so I can get to work.Then I can purchase the premium ch. Thank , you have always been informative and I appreciate you..

you explain a lot in your videos. they are really helping me. makes me want to add mechanic to my carrier as a part time job. i love troubleshooting.

Glad to see another new video Matt! Thanks

You are really my good mentor when its come to diagnosis. Thumbs up man.

Thanks for the videos! I've watched, learned and applied quite a bit especially with my daughter's 2002 Malibu. At the very least I've saved hundreds in diagnostic fees! I'll check out you other channel; I'm sure it's worth it.

A few notes. Avoid probing the female pins in a connector or a fuse block with just a test light or voltmeter probe. It's OK to touch the terminals but don't jam the probe into the pin because that can cause terminal tension issues. As far as when is the right time to check the fuses, the right answer is after you have a sense of direction such as whether you were missing fuel, (pump operation and/or injector pulse) spark or both then you can start to drill down to "why" those were missing. Otherwise any other test choices made would be totally random in nature and could just as easily be wrong or right on any given vehicle.

I am glad you are teaching again. I learn alot from you. Keep up the good work.

You're back! Man I missed you!

Love you videos. You couldn't be any more correct in your process. I always check the fuses first only because in my profession I always have a volt meter handy and I'm usually on the side of the road and its the only hope of fixing it right away being that I will have extra fuses in the glove box. Randomly checking fuses is just stabbing in the dark.

very very clear discription for the not starting problem. thank you

Love your channel. I have to admit most of your videos are over my head, but trying to learn...thanks man

Just a new sub., who has watched a lot of your diagnostic videos on crank, no start. A lot of it is way above my head, couldn't even catch it with a ball glove. FASSTEC is very helpful. Still working on getting my sons car running. I just don't want to throw random parts at it. Even worse, it's on my sisters sloped driveway, wind is from the north, and snow. Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Great job diagnosing the 3 cylinder Geo Metro. Of course one never knows ahead of time where the problem might lie but only the smart guys who know what they are doing find the problem as fast as you did. So once again, this was great. My 8 cylinder VW Touareg also has been acting up. It has this weird gas-mileage problem and no mechanics have been able to diagnose it because the Touareg behaves good when it is at the shop. The problem with the truck is that during my commutes to work, most of the time it gives me poor gas mileage (15.5 - 16.5mpg average), but sometimes (~15% of the time) gives me very good gas-mileage (18 - 19 mpg average). Usually (but not always) the good gas mileage is accompanied by more power and slightly better sounding engine. At first I thought it probably had something to do with engine-temperature or humidity etc, but after many weeks of observing I have to say that neither engine temperature, nor humidity, or traffic conditions, or AC on/off, have anything to do with it. It seems it simply has to do with what mood the truck is in. When the engine feels powerful, I drive it slightly more aggressively and still end up with the same great gas mileage. Needless to say, I want great gas mileage accompanied by more power, all the time. Have you ever come across such an issue? Where do you think the problem might lie? I have some basic scanners but being a novice, I need guidance as to what I should observe and what I should look for. TIA

thank you for sharing some knowledge with us..

Sound diagnostic skills right there. Well done!

Just watched the second installment of this repair on the pay channel. Honestly, Matt, you deserve a medal just for getting within fifty feet of that rancid mobile garbage bin. How can anyone not be embarrassed to bring something like that in for repair? It takes all sorts, I guess.

Good to see you back Matt. Looks like you may be gathering some new material for addressing the "hate mail" again!

Enjoyed video. Nice to see the steps you take for diagnosing the no start condition. I never knew that if the fuel pump doesn't work, the computer shuts of the ignition. Not like the old days. That can get confusing. No fuel equals no ignition. Weird. Thanks for the video. Good to see someone that knows what they are doing working on cars.

I bought the predecessor to this new in 1984. It was the Chevy Sprint by Suzuki. It got 60mpg hwy with a carburetor.

Awesome, came here to diagnose a no start camry. Got a solid clue of where I got to be.. (I remember watching your vids awhile back) definitely knew this guy knows what he's talking about 👌

Great job Matt, the FASTEC is a good sistem of diagnostic. Regards from Spain.

Ok I will try that... Thank you so much Matt ... your the Best !!! I appreciate your help alot my friend .

Good job! I'm learning stuff here, because the usual way I approach problems is with a WAG (Wild Ass Guess), and usually just start replacing shit. Thanks for all this valuable knowledge.

Great tutorial, well done.

Imy Geo metro was doing the same. Yes it was the fuse he replaced in this video. thanks!

thank you for sharing some knowledge with us.

I hadn't realised you were back to regular postings on the pay channel, I unsubbed when the videos dried up after your promotion. It's really good value, when you consider what you get for your money. Less than the cost of a Pint of Beer over here in the UK. You guys really should give it a watch. And no Matt isn't paying me to say this.

Much better video presentation. Stayed on da subject thru da whole subject.👍

Hey boss you really inspire me!

good basic diagnosis..Thank you from Indonesia..

very informative and thorough, thank you

Very well done man!

Love the name of this channel. Very clever 🐱🐈

that was quick, a pleasure to watch.

It's always good to watch your vids. Easy to understand even if English isnt my 1st lang. :)

I really learned a lot on your videos brother

hello matt nice to see you back

good job . all ways for your uploads .

Tip to identify the coil on the relay, use an ohm meter. The contact set will show either 0 ohm or OL

Pretty cool stuff, thanks.

good to see you again

This was actually really helpful as a Crank No Start refresher.. Thank You!!

Great vid man. Ur on point sir!!!!

Nice to see you again Matt. Scope pattern might reveal something about the fuel pump. I still look forward to your videos although I shifted to working on electric motors.

The comment I made on your recent video about how following the scientific method doesn't mean you're "wrong" to check the part that isn't bad first seemed to belong a lot better here, lol. Wow. I really need my boss to watch this, but he may just remind me again the other day that I should have checked a fuse first. Sigh. ;)

what a treat a video from the cat!

Hahaha asshats ..... my favourite saying. I love how methodical you are 👍

My car cracks slower than that. Any ideas? 5.7 hemi Chrysler 300c

This guy is brilliant... Absolutely brilliant.

Miss you man!

I had the crank but no start problem with my 1998 Ford Escort. The problem was a worn ignition key. I used the original key which was seldom used and the car fired up with no problems. After 16 years of using the key made at a hardware store, it was a bit worn on the edges.

Woot - the cat's back! Good to see you have a new video, Matt. :-)

👍 Great work....

something you might concider is to use a 12v automotive circuitbreaker inplace of a fuse. breakers come in different amp load sizes. its been my experience that blowing fuses until the problem is found is not only likely but can be a frustrating when you have too continue changing onetime use fuses. it seems to work well for me. like your show and your methods approch the challenges well.

Great video, very helpful thank you

Great video thanks !!!

Anther great video. Narrow that diag down to where in the fuse box first. Always look for obvious visible signs of things. And basic functionality tests.

love the video..just wish I could see the end result of what's happening to blow that fuse without paying to watch it on your other channel.

Just feeling the need to pop in and tell people that the basics don't always diagnose every crank, no start issue.... especially with vehicles later than 03 at least. Cat issues became a really big problem in the mid 2000s. Just got my 08 started after pulling an o2 sensor and spraying seafoam into the cat. And then I torched the sensor end of my o2 sensor to burn off the build up....red hot. Car fired up and ran for quite awhile. Will probably have to replace the cat and the o2 sensors shortly, but this was a quick fix until I can get the parts ordered. I had zero codes at all. Once I got it running I had a cat/o2 code that was there months ago and went away. Hope this helps people who have tried everything with no prevail.

hey!! maat sir.. how are u. Every time you explain something thank you sir

I say check the fuses/relays first simply because it’s easiest. Got a coworker that had a bus with wipers stopping intermittently. Stole a motor off another one, changed the switch, check the air in the tires (j/k there), etc. After being down almost a week, turned out it was a bad relay. I hear what you’re saying and you’re right: that fuse blew for a reason and there’s nothing wrong with investigating further. I’m just saying always check the easy stuff first. Just my two cents.

Nice one sir!

Thank you!

Good job.

Ill be towards colorado springs in a month, cant wait. A high of 80 degrees there vs 105 here.

Hey Matt, thank you for the great video! Why is there 1 Volt even though the fuse broke?

I have an O2 sensor diagnostic video I uploaded recently. I show what to do to diagnose without a scan tool (pre-OBDII) and without pulling out the parts shot gun.

It's always the last thing you check, because then you stop checking! Why would you keep looking once you find the problem? So of course someone will say "you should have checked that first". Thanks really like the videos!

“Almost looks like a 4cyl, your half way there.” Um.. 3 quarters?

turn the key, and listen to the fuel pump ist the first thing. if you do not hear the pump check the fuse if the fuse is OK check the relay if the relay is OK check the ignition switch , if the ignition switch is OK give 12 volt to the fuel pump. if the pump is runing check the wiring if not replace the pump. German mechanics LLC . Maricopa , Arizona.

There's idiots everywhere. Those not having to diagnose, often are the fastest to chime in. Good work buddy, skilled trades are slipping away but, you've got it locked in.

Matt could you please elaborate about the fuel & ignition being on the same circuit? I've always thought they were separate circuits & when you pulled the fuse it only said "FI". Are they always together or just on certain models? Is there typically no ignition fuse then or does that vary between models?

Great video man. I have a crank no start on my 2.8 liter VR6 the motor was just freshly rebuilt and I believe I'm getting no spark. I checked all fuses and they are all good, the ECM relay is good as well. What could be causing this crank no start/ spark issue? What a ground wire missing from the transmission to the chassis cause this?

LMFAO!!!!!!.............now come on Matt, you know before you tried that ol fastec nonsense you are supposed to blast the whole engine bay with brake cleaner and you would have found the problem instantly................good work buddy glad to see you back

In order to verify spark, should we connect the test light to the negative post of the battery? Thank you.

That was a great video, thank you for sharing. I am having problems with the same type of Geo this video covered which I would like your opinion on if possible or find out if you have already covered the problem in prior videos you have made. The 97 Geo I have will start twice then just crank over and not start again until I have disconnected the battery and let it set over night then the same thing will happen again. It will start fine and run fine on the first start, second start the same, third start all the check engine lights come on and it will just crank over with no start. I just don't understand on electrical end of things how you trouble shoot to find out if it is a sensor or part has gone bad. Does this sound like it could be a cam or crank sensor problem?? Any help you could offer would truly be appreciated, thank you...

The best of the best

I agree, hindsight is always 20/20 in the end. Sometimes fuses just "go" for no reason other than it's their time. I only worry about changing a fuse when it's black on the inside, that means it definitely went open because of a catastrophic failure (short) of some sort. If it is just open and clean looking on the inside I don't sweat it, changing it is all you can do at that point and wait and see if a failure of some sort presents itself more clearly in the future.

Hi Matt look after that Vantage Pro of yours.. The reason I'm telling you this is my Snap On rep sent mine to Sydney (Aus) recently for a repair quote.Rang and told me the quote to fix was 2 grand can you believe!.You take care now and look after it.. i'm buying a Pico.

Can you comment on why a blown fuel pump fuse gives you no spark? I thought the cam/crankshaft control the spark. My car problem is I have a 1995 Maxima. I did a piston and ring job on it; now it cranks but won't start. I have spark. Two of my six cylinders are below min. psi(125 instead of 142). I'm using starter fluid.

Would it be ok if I ran a new 14 ga. wire with a manual switch between the fuel pump and Battery... I can turn it on when I need to drive and flip the switch off when I am done driving ? will this work or ?

Hey Matt Some Good News !! I Directly Connected 12 Volts DC to the Fuel Pump and heard the Fuel Pump spinning and have good fuel pressure to the fuel filter also. But am not getting 12 DC ( Electricity ) to the Pump ...and no spark?

Dr.Schrodinger can u please do or tslk abt how to change a cylinder head on a dual over head cam like a boss. I seen the chilton but I'm wondering if there are any cheats like there is on single cam

I have a 1994 Toyota T-100 Pickup Truck ( Cranks great but wont start ) I installed a new OEM Fuel Pump & Fuel Filter , Battery with new wires, I pulled out the Circuit Opening Relay and energized it with 12 DC it was clicking good..points where pulling in good... I dont think im getting 12 DC to that relay?when I turn the key and when I checked for 12 DC at the fuel pump I didnt have any Voltage at all ? what should I do next ? Thanks in advance.

Hah, I just had a fuelpump die on me a few weeks ago, and the first thing I did was try to hear the fuelpump, then the fuse, then leave the ignition on and beat on the tank (which apparently kickstarted the fuelpump). Drove it to a shop, switched the ignition off, tried to start it again, same problem. Told them to swap the fuel pump, and voila. Not quite the 2% method, but I'll take it. But I agree on the fuse thing not being the obvious thing to check first, I mainly did it because I didn't have any tools with me (nor am I really that proficient with electric diagnostics etc, but I love watching others do it :P), and it was an easy thing to check. I would've been very suspicious if my car had had a blown fuse though, so will you be providing an update on this car if it happens again, and/or if the actual reason behind the blown fuse is discovered?

You could drive it around and have a go at it. Had a small nissan micra that could only go about 25km/hr. Above that, it stutters and wasn't able to go faster. Ihad put in a spare pump I found in the boot.

I was just curious if I could use Propane into a vacuum source to see if a vehicle will attempt to start. Thank you