Engine turns over but it wont start

I have a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant ES, I was driving down the road and all of a sudden it just died the engine still turns over  but it wont start some one said possibly the fuel pump it jerked right before it died any solutions? There is no simple answer, there are to many variables.

If you have access to a scan tool, pulling the codes should help. Without them its back to old school hunt and peck method.


At this point we need to narrow down the problem. You need to test for spark.

  1. Tag and disconnect the spark plug wires from the spark plugs.

  2. Remove the spark plugs and install the spark plug wires to each spark plug.

  3. Ground (do not hold spark plug) the spark plug; check if spark occurs while engine is being cranked.

Crank the engine for no more than 2 seconds at a time to prevent flooding the engine with gasoline.

If you have spark, You will want to make sure you have fuel injector pulse, along with fuel pressure. If you have spark ..simply spray some starting fluid in through the air filter and hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank it over while spraying. If it fires up, you know it is fuel related (fuel pump, regulator, or ECM if no injector pulse).If you have no spark then look at ignition coil connection and trace through to the distributor(if equipped). The crank shaft sensor has a tendency to fail on these as well.This should give you a few things to test and check to start you on your way to narrowing it down.

If you have no spark then look at ignition coil connection for power and trace through to the distributor (if equipped). If it is DIS( no distributor). It may be the Crank sensor or the ECU. The crank shaft sensor has a tendency to fail on these as well.

The ECU uses the signal sent from the Crank sensor to trigger the spark and fuel injectors. make certain you have checked all fuses)

Engine turns over but won't start
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