Just replaced fuel filter, no start.

[MoparMatt72]

I just replaced my fuel filter, and the car won't turn over. Is this a common problem? I mean, is there a way that air can get into the fuel system and not start or what? I don't get it. Please give some advice if you have it.

And yes, I have searched other threads with "no start", "fuel filter" and everything.

 

[gavin]

when I did this, I turned the key to Start/On several times to let the system prime before starting it.

did you disconnect the inertia switch, and forget to hook it back up?

 

[Lube]

if it won't ever turn over, it's probably not fuel related unless you somehow knocked a wire loose somewhere in the process.

When you turn the key to "on", do you hear the fuel pump running?

 

[joecrna]

You say it wont turn over. Did you disconnect the battery? Is it hooked back up and making a good connection? The inertia switch would stop the fuel pump but it should still crank.

 

[dimension12]

If it ran before it will run after. Try cycling the key on and off a few times to build up the fuel pressure in the injector rail.

 

[dimension12]

Won't start or won't crank?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'm betting the inertia was kicked to relieve pressure, and wasn't reset? Or, how did you relieve the pressure in order to pull the clips on the filter?

 

[MoparMatt72]

The inertia switch is not tripped, and it won't start... It tries and tries to turn over, but it just cranks. My battery has been an issue for the past month or so, needing to be jumped on a regular basis (every other day or so), so I went and bought one tonight and will install in the morning (I would have done it sooner, but the negative terminal was so rusted on the battery it was impossible to get the bolt loosened. I bought a new terminal and a new battery).

I'm not sure what you mean by relieving the pressure. I just bought one of those plastic ring line disconnects, and pulled the fuel filter out, hooked up the new one and tried to start her up.

I'll try building up the pressure tomorrow like you guys said, and i'll check for spark. Thanks for the insight, i'll let you know how it goes in the morning.

 

[MoparMatt72]

Oh yea, and yes, I do hear the pump when it's in the start/on position...

 

[gavin]

install the filter the correct way?
iirc, it's designed to flow one way. Or, at least my replacement had an arrow showing which way the flow goes.
Although I don't know what the consequences would be if installed improperly.

for giggles if you want, get some goggles and a tiny screw driver; there should be a schrader valve on the top of the engine, on the fuel rail. Press that in slightly. If gas shoots out, you have fuel pressure. If nothing, then you're not getting fuel to the rail.

 

[yavapaires]

I just replaced my fuel filter, and the car won't turn over. Is this a common problem? I mean, is there a way that air can get into the fuel system and not start or what? I don't get it. Please give some advice if you have it.

And yes, I have searched other threads with "no start", "fuel filter" and everything.

OK, I have seen this same thing in many posts and can't keep my mouth shut any longer. We need a lesson in terminology.
Won't crank: means the engine won't spin over. IE starter not spinning the engine.
Won't turn over: same thing.
Won't fire: engine spins over, cranks,turns over, but won't start.
If the engine won't crank, turn over, spin when you turn the key, then you have an electrical problem. If the engine cranks, spins over, turns over, but won't start, or fire, then you have a fuel problem, OR an electrical problem with the ignition system.

 

[yavapaires]

Guys, I AM NOT TRYING TO BE A SMART ASS here. I sure don't know everything, and at my advanced age, I have forgotten a lot. I am just trying to help people diagnose a problem, and some correct terminology would create a lot less confusion.
If I may, I would like to illustrate this with a story. Years ago, I picked up a set of loaded trailers a guy brought into the yard. His comment to me was: when you get back, tell the shop the brakes don't work. Do I need to say more?
Actually all I did was adjust them. This was in Arizona. You can guess what kind of mountains and long grades we had there.

 

[Dono]

Yup, I understand how difficult it can be to give solid information to everyone else when you are in the middle of a problem, but we must be clear.

Since your motor turns over fine, but will no longer start after changing the gas filter, I'd say go for the filter. As gavin said, check fuel preasure. Filter is going to be in backwards, not letting gas get to the motor.

 

[MoparMatt72]

I thought I explained it clearly enough, sorry for the confusion.

Everything's fine now with the car. Apparently, even having the car hooked up to another by jumper cable, it wasn't enough volts, or amps, or whatever the hell it is to start it up. I replaced the battery this morning and it fired right up, and ran smoothly. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Don't you just love temperamental vehicles?

Glad you got 'er going!