'02 Vue V6 won't start after belt change

[ashtonvue]

The serpentine belt on our '02 Vue V6 broke. I replaced the belt, now Vue won't start. Cranks over just fine, but nothing else. Does not seem to be security related, but have disconnected the battery and reconnected it. Could the timing belt have jumped when the serpentine belt broke? There are no strange sounds coming from the engine when it turns over, it just won't start. Has plenty of gas and everything else seems to be in order. Any ideas?

[fdryer]

Not starting isn't likely a timing belt issue unless you're way past the replacement interval (100k miles) and the belt is severely worn. Removing the cam cover is the only way to check for premature wear of the timing belt. A normally running engine would just fling off any water soaking the serp belt. Soaking the timing belt may cause issues but again, like the serp belt, slowly slogging through standing water may not cause any issues.

One fuel check before continuing is to locate the fuel rail test valve covered by a black plastic cap. Leave the ignition in the ON/RUN position. Remove the cap, cover loosely with a rag and press the valve stem, expecting a healthy spray of fuel. This ensures the fuel and pressure are available to the injectors. No fuel spraying out would indicate a fuel issue otherwise this eliminates a fuel problem.

Cranking but engine not firing up may be a crank position sensor (CPS) issue. Without spark plugs wires to remove and plugs to ground against the engine to observe spark across the plug gap, its a little more difficult troubleshooting a cps failure on engines without plug wires. One method is to listen to the injectors 'clicking' right at the injector base electrical connection with a screwdriver 'stethoscope' pressed to your ear while someone cranks the engine over. Clicking is always occurring as this indicates the EFI system is operating each injector by pulsing them at the appropriate time but no clicking would be a failure somewhere in the EFI system. The cps is crucial to EFI system operation as it allows the ECM to operate by providing the precise timing signals needed. The ECM turns on the fuel pump, initiates the ignition system, and pulses the injectors. No cps = no fuel pump, no ignition/spark, and no injector pulses, a dead engine. You can crank all day and either burn out the battery or starter but the engine will never fire up from a dead cps. Its located next to the oil filter. Either a local auto store or dealer part.

[1saxman]

Check every harness connector you may have disturbed during the work to make sure they are fully connected. The first one would be at the mass air flow sensor.

[far2grumpy]

The serpentine belt on our '02 Vue V6 broke. I replaced the belt, now Vue won't start. Cranks over just fine, but nothing else. Does not seem to be security related, but have disconnected the battery and reconnected it. Could the timing belt have jumped when the serpentine belt broke? There are no strange sounds coming from the engine when it turns over, it just won't start. Has plenty of gas and everything else seems to be in order. Any ideas?

Does the engine crank at normal speed ... or does it sound like there's reduced or no compression when starter spins engine?

[ashtonvue]

Cranks at regular speed. Does not sound abnormal. I had a Z car with a broken timing belt and you could definitely hear things where out of place when cranking. This one sounds smooth. It will build up pressure after some rotations and make a low "pop" sound. Not as loud as a backfire, but still audible. Sounds muffled. Valve on fuel rail releases plenty of gas and I can hear the fuel pump running.

[ashtonvue]

Checked timing belt, it's on and tight. I'm stumped...

1. Vue serpentine belt frayed with one strand still holding together.
2. Vue towed home on flat bed.
3. Tried to start Vue next day (before changing belt).
4. Crank would not rotate because belt did not provide enough friction. Did not start.
5. Replaced belt, tried to start. Crank turned as normal. No start.

[fdryer]

Keep at it as you already eliminated a fuel issue and verified a tight timing belt. You may have to charge the battery overnight and with continuous cranking there's a good possibility of flooding the engine without it firing up so refrain from over doing it. Discharging the battery may have taken place with the shredded serp belt leaving a battery in less than charged state. You're now left with determining an ignition issue and its been outlined above. It might help to be sure all fuses are in good condition, in the engine area and inside the passenger/driver footwell. The main ignition fuse(s) are under the hood.

[far2grumpy]

Cranks at regular speed. Does not sound abnormal. I had a Z car with a broken timing belt and you could definitely hear things where out of place when cranking. This one sounds smooth. It will build up pressure after some rotations and make a low "pop" sound. Not as loud as a backfire, but still audible. Sounds muffled. Valve on fuel rail releases plenty of gas and I can hear the fuel pump running.

Could be worthwhile to check the backfire valve ... service bulletin's in post # 2 of this thread:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136892

[IMkenNY]

The belt shouldnt have caused a starting problem, the Vue should start with or without it.

[1saxman]

'Crank would not rotate because belt did not provide enough friction. Did not start.'

What? The starter doesn't depend on the accessories drive belt - it turns the flywheel.

[ashtonvue]

Correct. Not sure what I was thinking! Have replaced many starters...
Anyway, charged battery, still nothing. Just the muffled pop once in a while. Checked all fuses, all are fine. Tried to jump start it, same thing.

[fdryer]

One last follow-up to all the suggestions mentioned; multiple starting attempts and cycling the ignition key ON and OFF without ever having the engine fire up is a sure fire recipe to flooding. Either remove the spark plugs to dry them out or floor the gas pedal and leave it there on the next starting attempt to allow fresh air to dry out all the cylinders. Since you have coil-over-spark ignition and its a chore to remove the plugs (likely necessary if they haven't been replaced in the last 100,000 miles) flooring the gas pedal for as long as possible may help starting. Resist the urge to "pump" the pedal if there's some engine firing since yours is a totally electronic throttle and only allows opening/closing the throttle plate without "pumping" gasoline into the intake manifold. If there is any signs of life, release the throttle to about a quarter throttle and see if the engine fires up. Perhaps drying out the cylinders can get the engine running.

[far2grumpy]

Correct. Not sure what I was thinking! Have replaced many starters...
Anyway, charged battery, still nothing. Just the muffled pop once in a while. Checked all fuses, all are fine. Tried to jump start it, same thing.

Check for intake vacuum when cranking ... gain access to throttle body and block intake with something non-flammable while an associate cranks starter.

The 3.0 used in 02-03 Vue has somewhat a history of loss of compression (and vacuum) for various and miscellaneous reasons.