Technical 2014 Won’t start

[AxelCDA]

My wife’s 2014 500L died while she was driving last week. I had it towed home and put the code reader on it. It said the camshaft position sensor was bad so I changed it out, still wouldn’t start. It was making a whirring sound when you cranked the ignition. I put a new starter in, charged the battery, and checked the flywheel for damage. Still won’t start and is still making the same sound. Any suggestions?

 

[ZaphodB]

Engine died so you changed the starter ?????

Making a normal cranking sound like it always used to?

Or a different 'cranking' sound?

 

[AxelCDA]

Engine died so you changed the starter ?????

Making a normal cranking sound like it always used to?

Or a different 'cranking' sound?

After I put a new cam position sensor in and it wouldn’t start I did some research and what I found suggested that the starter was bad. When you try to start the car it cranks once and then makes a whirring sound, like a motor spinning. I had my son try starting it while I was underneath listening and the sound is coming from the starter. That’s when I checked the flywheel to so if there was damage that would keep the starter from engaging.

 

[ZaphodB]

After I put a new cam position sensor in and it wouldn’t start I did some research and what I found suggested that the starter was bad. When you try to start the car it cranks once and then makes a whirring sound, like a motor spinning. I had my son try starting it while I was underneath listening and the sound is coming from the starter. That’s when I checked the flywheel to so if there was damage that would keep the starter from engaging.

Can you record it and post the file here?

 

[AxelCDA]

Can you record it and post the file here?

Absolutely, will do as soon as I’m back at the house.

 

[ZaphodB]

I'm going with deteriorated main engine earth strap (and it's connections)

But I'll wait for your audio/video

 

[varesecrazy]

So..
Not a timing gear failure..?

"Distribution" in FIAT speak

 

[AxelCDA]

I'm going with deteriorated main engine earth strap (and it's connections)

But I'll wait for your audio/video

 

[AxelCDA]

Can you record it and post the file here?

 

[AxelCDA]

Can you record it and post the file here?

 

[ZaphodB]

A bit short but sounds like it's cranking but virtually zero compression.

(If the starter was at fault and not actually engaging I'd expect a much higher pitched whine)

When you are cranking can you confirm the engine belt(s) is/are moving... or are even present!

(Not familiar with the engine or sure if this engine has internal timing chain or external timing belt), but there'll be at least an aux belt.

But now your original "It said the camshaft position sensor was bad so I changed it out," now makes sense

If the timing belt/chain has disappeared the camshaft sensor will appear bad cos the engine is turning but the camshaft isn't !

 

[AxelCDA]

A bit short but sounds like it's cranking but virtually zero compression.

(If the starter was at fault and not actually engaging I'd expect a much higher pitched whine)

When you are cranking can you confirm the engine belt(s) is/are moving... or are even present!

(Not familiar with the engine or sure if this engine has internal timing chain or external timing belt), but there'll be at least an aux belt.

But now your original "It said the camshaft position sensor was bad so I changed it out," now makes sense

If the timing belt/chain has disappeared the camshaft sensor will appear bad cos the engine is turning but the camshaft isn't !

 

[AxelCDA]

I should have said this upfront but, I’m no gear head. I’m a proud YouTube mechanic. When I have car trouble if I can’t figure it out on my own, I rely on google and YouTube to help me diagnose the problem. If I know what’s wrong I can always fix it myself but this time I’m stumped.

To answer your question, yes the belt that visible on the passenger side of the engine bay is turning when you crank the engine. I have a compression test kit and will check it tonight after work and report back

 

[ZaphodB]

I should have said this upfront but, I’m no gear head. I’m a proud YouTube mechanic. When I have car trouble if I can’t figure it out on my own, I rely on google and YouTube to help me diagnose the problem. If I know what’s wrong I can always fix it myself but this time I’m stumped.

To answer your question, yes the belt that visible on the passenger side of the engine bay is turning when you crank the engine. I have a compression test kit and will check it tonight after work and report back

Then your starter was and is perfectly fine..


Just send a pic of that area of the engine if you can so I can check if it's a timing belt or just an aux belt.

 

[AxelCDA]

Then your starter was and is perfectly fine..


Just send a pic of that area of the engine if you can so I can check if it's a timing belt or just an aux belt.

Will do, thanks for the help

 

[Mike1alike]

I see that RPM needle stays put to zero while you're cranking it. So crankshaft positioning sensor is dead. That's why the engine won't start, with no crankshaft positioning data, ECU doesn't "see" the engine revolving so injectors are getting no voltage. No fuel to the engine, because it stays put, as far as ECU "knows".

 

[Mike1alike]

And the engine and starter sound really good. Compression is ok. It just doesn't start because it is getting no fuel.

 

[AxelCDA]

And the engine and starter sound really good. Compression is ok. It just doesn't start because it is getting no fuel.

Thanks, I’ll pick up a crankshaft sensor and hope for the best

 

[varesecrazy]

Do let us know what you find

 

[ZaphodB]

I see that RPM needle stays put to zero while you're cranking it.

There were so many copies of the video I missed that

(I started every one of them and about ten minutes later I heard the audio, didn't even look at the video)