2003 Liberty cranking, but not firing

[fbody75]

New to the forum. We have an '03 Liberty Sport 4x4 with the 3.7. We have put around 140k on it without major problems. The other day, we stopped to get gas and when went to start it, it just cranked, but would not start. The fuel gage read empty (with a full tank) and the low fuel warning light came on. We sat puzzled for a bit, and tried again, with the same result. A passer-by happened to stop with his hand held code reader, so we plugged it in, but found no codes. While we waited for the tow truck, we tried starting again, and it fired right up. We shut it of and tried again and just got the thing to crank with nothing showing in the tank. The local mechanic tried scanning it, and found no codes to even begin a diagnosis. He feels our ECM is faulty, but I'm not sure (wouldn't it be sending its own code). Any suggestions would be great, I was hoping to get this thing through the next winter.

 

[thegreatgate]

Any suggestions would be great, I was hoping to get this thing through the next winter.

I'd get rid of it cause you could probably easily get $3500 to $4000 for it in as-is condition.

 

[tjkj2002]

You do not need any codes set/stored to diagnose a "crank/no start" condition.You need to check the fuel pressure,maybe as simple as a bad wire or relay and any tech worth a damn would know this and would have the problem found in less then 30mins max(but you would still pay the full diag charge).

 

[streetglideok]

You do not need any codes set/stored to diagnose a "crank/no start" condition.You need to check the fuel pressure,maybe as simple as a bad wire or relay and any tech worth a damn would know this and would have the problem found in less then 30mins max(but you would still pay the full diag charge).

Lol, this is so true. Crank/no starts are usually the easiest things to pin down. Too many guys run to a scan tool, and if it doesnt pop out a magic code, they are hopelessly lost. Seeing you have a fuel gauge issue as well as the no start, the fuel pump wiring and/or pump assembly is the first place I'd start. Bad pump wont normally do what yours is doing, but a bad connection or poor ground somewhere will! Check for no fuel pressure when it wont start, if thats the case, then you need to check power and ground back at the connector to the pump. Pinning down the exact problem may not be simple, but getting an idea of where to look should be.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I'd get rid of it cause you could probably easily get $3500 to $4000 for it in as-is condition.

Get rid of it?

Why?

Because of a little problem?

What a total B.S. comment!

I guess you are one of those folks who believe in the "Cash for Clunkers" campaign?

 

[fbody75]

My feeling is that the problem is simple, the trouble is chasing it down. Does anyone know where the fuel pump/sending unit is grounded to? I was able to get the thing to start at one point, so I am leaning towards a loose/bad connection? I have a repair manual, but it is about half worthless. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[thegreatgate]

Get rid of it?

Why?

Because of a little problem?

What a total B.S. comment!

I guess you are one of those folks who believe in the "Cash for Clunkers" campaign?

Did you read the first post?

He said:

We have an '03 Liberty Sport 4x4 with the 3.7. We have put around 140k on it without major problems. Any suggestions would be great, I was hoping to get this thing through the next winter.

Sounds to me like he plans to get rid of it after winter anyways. So why dump a few hundred into it now and sell it in the spring? Just get rid of it now and upgrade (if he is planning to upgrade anyways...) :shrug:

 

[streetglideok]

A dead vehicle is worth alot less then a running one? Sounds like the OP isnt really in the position at this time to do anything before spring, so its kind of moot at this point.

Sorry not at work, so dont have the wiring diagrams in front of me for the Liberty. I'll look tommorow if no one has posted it by then.

 

[fbody75]

This thing is an "extra" vehicle, mostly driven during the winter. If I have to spend a few bucks to keep it on the road, I'm fine with that (it has 140k+ on it and has asked little from me), it beats making a car payment. I was just hoping to find someone who has had a similar issue, or some suggestions so i don't get beat up too bad by a shop thats trying to chase the problem down. The tech that looked at it said the fuel pump and sending unit are Okay, but there is a communication problem to the ECU. He thinks the ECU is bad, but wouldn't that kick out a code?