help!! have spark and fuel.. wont start

hi, newbie here!

i got a 2000 alero 3.4v6. its cranks over like a charm, just wont fire up and start running.

i can hear the fuel pump prime, so i took the schradier (sp?) valve out of the rail, and turned the key. fuel comes gushing out, so im assuming the injectors are at least getting fuel.


then i took, #2 plug wire off and put in another plug and grounded it to the motor. turned the key and cranked the motor over. it gets good spark, so i know its at least sparking.

it does have a check engine light on. we put a scan tool on it and it says the gas cap is bad, but you would still think the car would run. i figured the cap was pulling the code anyway. it just dont "click" anymore.


so i have fuel and spark.. what could it be?????

crank sensor??? cam sensor??? do our cars have a injector relay somewhere.. if so where at???

thanks for any info

[Vic28]

Hello..
Migh be a Passlock (security) related issue. Try doing a relearn and see what happens.

[lvemy3100]

just because there is pressure at the rail does not mean the injectors are firing... passlock will prevent them from doing so.

[clutch1]

Use a noid light to check each injector to see that it's firing.

Also, I would get a REAL spark checker.. they make adjustable ones that tell you approx how many volts you're getting.

Right now you might only be getting 10,000V.. enough to spark, but not a powerful spark.. just a thought.

[Nate's Alero]

could be like me, had this issue.. it was headgaskets, had decent spark, and fuel... are your plugs all covered in fluids?

[A57]

IMO you need to get a fuel presser reg test to make sure your getting 35 to 40 psi at the rail..
you may have spark at that one spark plug, but you need to ck all of them ..

and last you need to get a injector tester and make sure there working, if not then you have a ECU issue or ingestion plate maybe need..

If there no codes tell you just eh gas cap then you need to clear the codes there are and try to start the car again...
IF it still wont start , did you fill up i the past few day before this happen?
if so i bet you could have bad gas...

[natedawg9640]

cmon guys... it's his first post... no start... 5 bucks says it's passlock...

[JLw7123]

well if the red security light is blinking it is passlock. My old alero had that problem.

[01silveralero]

Passlock problem most likely.
1) If you were trying to start the car, first you'll need to remove the key.
2) Insert the key
3) Turn the key to the "ON" position. DO NOT TRY TO START THE CAR
4) Leave it sit like that for 11 minutes (10 minutes 59 seconds is not enough)
5) The security light at the end of this period should be off. So go ahead and turn off the key, but dont take it out.
*NOTE: you may have to do this 3 times in a row, but most of the time once is enough*
6) Start the car.

[Nate's Alero]

Well, to answer if it's security or not, is the SECURITY light flashing?