QuestionHi Roland,
I followed your directions and I kept getting a code 12.
Even after trying to start the car several times it showed code 12.
AnswerHi Scott:
Given that you are getting spark, do you hear the fuel pump run for about a second or so when you first turn the key to 'run' position. If not then fuses 8 and 10 in the box under the hood, and listen while a helper turns the key to run to listen for a click coming from the fuel pump relay in the third socket from the front.
If that all seems ok, then I would check whether the exhaust gas recirculation valve might be stuck slightly ajar. The first thing I would do is check the mechanical function of the egr valve which is located along a pipe that runs from the left exhaust manifold (on the side of the engine facing the front of the car) to the intake manifold area (where the incoming air in the large rubber tube enters the throttle). That valve is metal and has a round fitting with a vacuum hose attached, mounted on the top of the valve, and the round part is attached to the main body of the valve by a sort of saddle. Inside the open saddle you will see a metal rod (with a slot) that connects the round top fitting to to the valve body. That rod is a stem on the valve and it is supposed to go in and out in response to the engine vacuum which varies with RPM and throttle opening (gas pedal position). Take a spray can of WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant and spray the stem where it enters the valve body and then use a regular screwdriver blade tip inserted in the slot to lever the valve in and out to try and free up its motion. Also check all the rubber vacuum hoses associated with the valve and a nearby vacuum solenoid valve. If the valve seems to open (against the action of a spring) and close firmly by the spring action when using the screwdriver blade to facilitate the motion, then you should be able to now start the engine. If is stuck ajar now, the effect is to lean out the mixture so much as to prevent it from catching and idling.
Roland
Previous history:
Question: My car has been running just fine, the other day I had used my car a couple of times, and about an hour later I went out to go again, and it would turn over but not start at all. I checked the fuses, spark every thing is o.k I even put the car in N and tried, then back to P and tried still nothing. I disconnected the battery to reset the computer, and tried again, still nothing... Help please!!!
Answer: Hi Scott,
Use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave" doing that in 5 seconds of less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains "on", to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to assure an accurate count. The last two sets of flashes are always 5 in each. Then combine the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form the two digit fault code numbers. The last number will be 55 which is the code for "end of readout". Then write back with the other numbers and we'll go from there, or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translator. You will get a code 12 due to disconnecting the battery, so ignore that. That disconnection also erases the previous fault codes. So try to start it a couple of times to insure that the computer might notice what is wrong and set a new code.
