GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Express - AWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Engine Cranks But Does Not Run

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description

The Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic table is an organized approach to identifying a condition that causes an engine not to start. The Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic table directs the service technician to the appropriate system diagnosis.

Diagnostic Aids

If the cause of an engine cranks but will not run condition has not been found, inspect for the following conditions:

    • Hard starting only in cold ambient temperatures. These may cause an intermittent condition that may not occur in the service bay:
       - Fuel heater inoperative--Refer to Fuel Heater Inoperative.
       - Ice blockage at the fuel pickup in the fuel tank--This will be a high vacuum in the supply lines while cranking, and the problem will disappear after the vehicle is brought in the service bay. It may also exhibit a start and stall condition or a starting condition with no acceleration.
    • The correct cranking speed is 100 RPM cold and 180 RPM hot.
    • A basic engine problem
    • Low engine coolant may cause the engine to shut down.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

CH-48027 Digital Pressure Gage

Circuit/System Verification

Important: This diagnostic assumes the cranking speed is within specifications.

  1. If DTCs P0090, P0191, P0193, P0335, P0336, P0340, P0602, P0603, P0604, P0606, P0642, P0643, P064C, P0698, P0699, P2510 are set diagnose those DTCs first.
  2. The engine starts and runs.
    3. ⇒If the engine does not start and run perform the Circuit/System Testing.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: You must perform the Circuit/System Verification before proceeding with Circuit/System Testing.

  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
    2. • Inadequate fuel in the fuel tanks.
    • Fuel smell or leak--Refer to Fuel Leak Diagnosis.
    • A plugged air filter collapsed air intake duct
    • A restricted exhaust system--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Exhaust.
    • Contaminants in fuel--Refer to Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis.
  2. Install the CH-48027 to the fuel rail service port. Crank the engine and observe the fuel pressure gage to ensure fuel pressure is present..
    3. ⇒If fuel pressure was not observed, refer to Fuel System Diagnosis
  3. Engine cranking, verify the scan tool Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor parameter is greater than 10 MPa.
    4. ⇒If less than the specified range, refer to Fuel System Diagnosis - High Pressure Side
  4. Perform the Engine Compression Test. Refer to Engine Compression Test.

    5. Important: During the replacement of the injectors, inspect the inlet and outlet fittings for corrosion or contamination. Refer to Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis.

    ⇒If any fuel vapor was emitted during the engine compression test, replace the affected fuel injector.

Repair Instructions

Fuel Injector Replacement

Repair Verification

The engine starts and runs.