Engine wont start

Make sure the battery has a full charge and battery connections all good. Engine cranking, the vehicle systems get battery voltage. Engine running, the vehicle systems get generator voltage, that can be several volt difference.
It seems like years ago I heard about removing spark plug on a vehicle that was hard to start, because of low battery. I tried it and it worked. Of course the engine was noisy as heck and it didn't run worth a darn, but, it started. In that example, I don't think it would matter which plug? I tried that about 50 years ago.
You can use digital multimeter across battery posts, everything off. The generic spec for a full charge is around 12.6 volts. Leave the meter leads touching battery posts, have helper turn key to crank, generic info says it shouldn't drop below 9.6 volts. If it drops way down, you need to get it checked out.
Also, if you have that spider fuel system, it is noted for problems.

You have a spark at the plugs, which indicates the ignition system is working.

The engine is cranking over?

If not - or it seems slow to crank - check the earth lead on the battery.

The only other thing that springs to mind is either the crankshaft or camshaft sensor.

if it tries to start, i.e. it is catching check the level of fuel into the combustion chamber and the power of the spark.
If you crank over several times on a fully charged battery, remove one of the spark pluvs if it is a petrol/gas engine, and check the spark plug tip, it should be moist with gas/petrol or at the very least, smell stronly of it.
cHECK THE PLUGS ARE CLEAN, UNDAMAGED AND CORRECTLY ADJUSTED.
If you attach a plug lead to a plug and lean it on the engine and crank the starter over you should see a healthy blue spark between the electrodes.
If the fuel is there and the spark is there at the same time the engine should start, (assuming there is no makor internal problem.)

The issue might be the timing, getting the spark and the fuel to coincide in the combustion chamber when the piston is at the optimum position in the bore.


If there is a weak spark or too little fuel these should be investigated work away from the combustion chambers to the source of the fuel and electricity.
If the spark and fuel are healthy and the timing is okay check compression in the cylinders.
They should be healthy and withing a couple or five pounds of each other

It might be sensors playing up and affecting the ECU, (engine management system)


There is a lot to check, A GOOD MECHANIC SHOULD BE INVALUABLE TO DIAGNOSE.

GOOD LUCK

This is entirely normal, a fuel pump will run only for a few seconds so that it is primed. If it ran continuously without the engine running pressure would build up inside it and would probably cause damage. After if has run for a few seconds after the jey is first turned it will , basically, switch off and wait for a signal from the sensor, communicating that the engine is cranking at whick point it resumes pumping in order for the engine to start.
Remember, the spark and fuel must coincide in the combustion chamber in order for there to be ignition, if you have no spark that may be the issue.
You can check whether fuel is getting to the plugs by cranking over repeatedly and quigkly removing a plug. If the pump is supplying fuel the end of the plug may have some fuel at the tip or may smell of petrol/gas.
You have to find out why fuel and spark are not coinciding essentially, in the combustion chamber.

GOOD LUCK

Cars require three things to run.Spark, air and fuel.Take out a spark plug ,ground it to the engine,isolate yourself from the plug,and have someone crank the car over.Since the plugs are new they should work if not you have an ignition problem.If you have spark pop out the plugs and squirt some gas into the combustion chamber,replace the plugs,and crank the car .If it fires for a couple of seconds and then dies you have a fuel delivery problem,such as a bad fuel pump. I empathize with you ,a no start can be very frustrating but the above gives you a place to start Let me know how you make out,good luck.

THE SMOKE YOU HAD IS BECAUSE MANY TRIES TO START COLLECTED FUEL IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND SUDDENLY BURNT ON START. ANY WAY THE HESITATION OF CRANK START FOR LONG TIME CHECK WHETHER YOU DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP,FUEL FILTER OR COLD START SENSOR. CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUGS CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND DO WITH SCANNER THE ADAPTATION.S

Darien, just because it's getting good spark at the spark plug wires doesn't mean that the spark plugs are firing. Now let's get your girlfriend happy again, Remove those spark plugs, check the center electrode and see if they are worn down, if they are worn down, change all 4, Good luck, Gary

Check the starter relay.

recheck spark by putting a plug into one of the plug wires and place on valve cover, crank engine and see saprk in that plug. check fuel pressure during cranking to verify fuel supply. If you have no fuel pressure check fuses and fuel pump relay, in fuse box and power distribution box under the hood. If all are good check for power at the fuel pump connector with the key in start position, in run position the power will only be there for about 5 seconds, you are correct with fuel and spark it should run, let me know what you find

You may have too much fuel and wet plugs; try starting after having pushed the accelerator completely to the floor and leaving it there while cranking, don't pump it. This will allow a lot of air to enter the engine and help dry the plugs.