3.2 ran perfect, needed jump start now wont run
 

I don't drive the car much but it was parked two weeks ago and the battery died (I think the radio drains it slowly). There was enough juice to crank it a few times, then I jumped it. It was reluctant to start and did run for a minute but sputtered and smoked. Now it flat out won't start.

Fuses are all fine and I switched the relays around, still nothing.

Steve Wong chip if that matters. It runs like a Swiss watch until this.

I tried a search but couldn't find this exact match.

Thank you in advance.

Fuel Pump? ,sounds similar to my issue, ran perfect for 3 years then would just wind over, do easy eliminations,Only my own thoughts, it could be alot of things with the 3.2, see if you have spark ,this clears a heap of guessing with sensors and computer issues, take off no.1 lead and put spare plug in and check If spark then swap out fuel pump, you should be able to hear your pump running, New battery as low voltage plays havic with motronic, again just afew of my own procedures before getting really invoved.
Regards Brett

How old was your battery?
Even if it jumped and ran for a bit, you may need a new battery.
Easy and inexpensive.

Hey Moth,

+1, it could be just the battery has completely drained and damaged. It will not keep it's charge enough to provide proper spark for ignition and keeping the car on.

Remove the battery and take it to a FLAPS. Have it tested and charged if not damaged.

In the future, disconnect the negative side. Our 3.2s has a 6% draw cumulatively, daily. If your radio has a clock that keeps running after it is off will just make it worse.

I highly recommend a battery tender and maintainer like the dealer's no name brand C-Tek 3300. A nice Holiday gift for yourself :D

Cheers,


Jim

The battery was it. It simply wasn't enough to run the motor.
Thanks for the help.

Had the same issue on my 3.0 and the same result, battery.

Don't you just love this forum?? As simple as this fix was, this is what it is all about.

Check the output on the alternator at the battery terminals. Battery at rest should read 12.5v+. At idle 13, 2500 rpms 13.5 to a max of 14.2v. Unless the battery was near end of life the alt could have issues as well.

Yes, once the engine started the alternator should have held the voltage high enough to keep it running.

Seems possible that the last time you drove it the alternator failed and the battery had a marginal charge.

Hope you didn't discard a perfectly good battery....

He fixed it already
Ever have a battery fail with shorted cells?

the FIRST QUESTION - do you have spark from the coil or at a spark plug?

second question - does "won't start" mean won't turn over at all or mean it won't fire? :confused:

Next time call AAA.