My car just stopped starting one morning. I have a 3.5 swap in my 99 max for the past 2 years then a week ago the car would ony crank but would not start.

Here is what I have changed already and still nothing:-

-fuel pump and filter
- both crank sensors
- cam sensor
- relays for fuel pump
- spark plugs

I tried the grounding mod of the screw next the crank sensor between the engine and trans still nothing.

I am getting fuel to the engine but the spark appears to be light. Now I am hearing my keys may have lost programming as they have chips(I do not know how this is possible but I tried everything else). This would require the dealer and towing

ANY IDEAS as I am lost at this point

 

I would start by confirming spark. Check your fuses, relays and the main ing plug and confirm continuity and no broken wires. Then unplug a coil take a multimeter and with the key turned to the on position check for ground, 12v then pull the fuel pump fuse and have someone crank the car and at the same coil plug check for oscillation. This is this the crank sensor signal going to the coil telling it when to fire. If everything is cool take the coil and spark plug out while someone is cranking the car ground the plug and visual confirm spark. If this also checks out I would swap out the condensor it's located by the fuel fpr or damper. It works like a fuseable link in older cars

I am assuming you already confirmed fuel, mech timing has not jumped, crank/cam sensors, no broken or bend teeth on the timing ring and that you either have a 3.0 upper oil pan or you shaved the 3.5 pan correctly

good luck hope this helps and its all free and better than blindly swaping parts

 

I will check the crank sensor signal going to the coil with the fuse out for the fuel pump.

I did check the voltage to the coil pack and it is 11.5 the same as my battery voltage. I am getting fuel to the engine but the amount of spark is light.

I will let you know.

 

What up rich, well the 99 has that programming security crap. Grey99max had issues with his at the track and had to tow his car, so yea you might have to deal with dealer.

Now try something, put the key in and turn to the ON position, then go under the hood, disconnect the plug that goes into the starter, and get a wire from the 12v battery to the starter's pin. See if the car starts like that.

 

Does the security light stay on while cranking? If so, it is an immobilizer (NATS) issue. This happened to my old '99 and I had to have it towed to the dealer for a reprogram. This was over 2 years ago and it's been fine ever since.

 

I was about the security also cause when my girlfriend car would not start the light would come on and stay on and not turn off like it should

 

The security light does not stay on during cranking. I will try the wire from the starter to the battery tomorrow and let you know.

This is very annoying right now

 

Something similar happend to me one time as i tried to leave school, car wouldnt start. Eventually I got the car started by trying what I told u (jump the starter with key ON), and did that for a while. Still never really knew what happend that caused it. but went away. Mine is a 97 though, do no key chip thing.