Hey guys,

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I can't afford to have my truck repaired by a mechanic at the moment, and definitely cannot afford to have it towed there to be diagnosed.

My truck won't start - the engine will crank, as shown in video, but will not turn over.




Related Info:

- 1999 Chevy C1500 V8 5.7L

- I replaced the alternator about two weeks ago

- Changed serpentine belt

- I have reset the PCM - unplugged battery for over an hour.

- Is not throwing any related codes (only an emissions code.)

- Do not pay attention to the battery gauge in the video. I have charged the battery via jump multiple times, and verified a strong charge via multimeter and OBD2 sensor (13.5V+ not running)

- I have verified all battery terminal connections are clean and well attached

- I can hear the fuel pump priming and the truck has clean gas


So...

Do you guys have any thoughts on what I should try first? I'd like to attack this in order of most likely -> least likely while considering least expensive -> most expensive.

My first thoughts are fuel pump relay, spark plugs, starter relay, starter solenoid, park/neutral safety switch (I have tried to start in neutral though), or the dreaded hydrolock... (I have noticed a slight coolant leak - only by monitoring overflow tank)


Again, I appreciate any help you guys can offer. Thanks!

Do you guys have any thoughts on what I should try first? I'd like to attack this in order of most likely -> least likely while considering least expensive -> most expensive.

First thing I would do is spray carb cleaner into the intake, while someone cranks the vehicle.....if it starts and runs as long as you spray, then you have a fuel delivery problem, either fuel pump pressure, or the injectors are not firing.....

If it doesn't start with the carb cleaner, then I would check for spark with a spark tester....




My first thoughts are fuel pump relay,

That can be eliminated by checking fuel pressure with a gage......



spark plugs,

See if you have spark first and fuel delivery.....



starter relay, starter solenoid, park/neutral safety switch (I have tried to start in neutral though),

That has nothing to do with the vehicle not firing.....




or the dreaded hydrolock... (I have noticed a slight coolant leak - only by monitoring overflow tank)

if you had hydrolock, the vehicle would not crank over....

Thanks for your advice!

You seem annoyed with my post - if that'* the case, please
let me reaffirm how appreciative I am that you guys offer us FREE help on these issues. I cannot tell you how thankful I am, and have been on previous repairs, to have your expertise at my disposal.

That being said, I have confirmed there is no spark coming through. Would you be so kind as to let me know where you would go from here, if this were your situation?


Thanks again!!

Not annoyed, just tried to tell you that you were wasting time on some of the things you thought were wrong....

Since you have no spark, you need to know how to test an ignition system...

The crank sensor sends a signal to the VCM...the VCM then triggers the ICM, and the ICM triggers the coil.....

Any experience in testing electronic circuits?

Sorry it'* been quite awhile. I had finals in school, then a busy week at work and some personal **** going on. I was able to get back at it this week. I believe I was testing for spark wrong, but I have since verified I have spark. Is hitting it with some starter fluid as easy as pulling the air intake top off, spraying some down the throttle, putting the top back on and seeing if it will crank?

I think tomorrow I will (hopefully) read your reply and continue my online research to try the starter fluid, then try to get a loaner fuel gauge and test my fuel pressure. I know it is by no means a guaranteed quick fix - but for what it'* worth I added new, clean gas and hit the fuel tank a few times with a mallet in hopes of shocking the fuel pump LOL. If it hasn't been said enough, I am embarrassingly ignorant to engine mechanics and am flying by the seat of my pants. But that'* what you gotta do when you're a poor college student