My 1996 Chevy F1500 pickup will crank but not start. After blowing starter fluid in the breather and cranking it many times it will fnally turn over and run rough for about 20 minutes before running smooth. As long as you drive it every day its ok. If it sits for a couple of days then the problem starts all over again. What can I do to correct this?

no engine told at all and is an engine question.
well if it can't crank ,no car starts, unless my car, it push starts.grin/
4wd pickup, K series.
same answer (generic ASE) on all gas engines posted 100s of times here and world wide 1millions of times.
so the starter motor is dead, right? silent no clicks of any kind cab or engne bay?
We jumper cable jump start all cars with any dead starter.
or charge battery and get it 100amp load tested in any auto store for free. the battery must be GOOD FIRST and can fail 5 years old
for sure 10.

1. fuses blown. test them all.
2. scan the PCM cranking , may show power failures. !
3. the causes are, in order, are ;
4. keyon, see cluster glow lamps (CEL glows and goes out cranked) (cluster acts normal)
5. the IMMO lamp if car has IMMO? must not show unhappy glow or blinks per lost free users guide.
6. the PRNDL is next , crank it in PARK and fails then do Neutral
7. if this works PNRDL is bad end saga;.
8. ok still dead, starter, the starter relay is bad. replace it.
9. ok relay is good and must close cranking and sends power to
10. the new starter solenoid and starter spins if engine is not seized.
11. if say jump starts work , engine runs the battery voltage will be 13- 15vdc not less, if less ALT is dead. and cluster battery /charge lamp blows saying I AM DEAD>
12. some shorted batteries (1 cell is) the ALT goes off line or blows the ALT FUSE><<, yes tricky./.. this effect. all techs know this. this is to prevent battery exploding or huge melt down and acid flying all over.
13. that is all for now, more newer cars scanned will report PRNDL is bad, not sure yours but gee I scan first. always why wasted time and cash on parts not needed.? the tool is Free due to ROI econ101.

Kelly, could be a few issues, security lock out, crank sensor, fuel pump fuse/relay, faulty new pump,faulty ignition switch, etc. Attached links may help you diagnose the crank no start issue you are having.
Check the attached links,video,instruction and guides, Good luck
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."
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No Start No Spark Cranks OK GMC Jimmy S10 Blazer

sounds like a crank sensor

Low fuel pressure or problem with spark plugs or crank sensor is got dirty and needs cleaning or its time to replace crank sensor.


Check out the help links shown below for no start problem and cranks but no start problem.


Click the link :-----

It can be the issue with weak battery or faulty battery or if battery is ok,then its faulty starter causing the issue.

From start to end troubleshooting these problem i suggest you to click the link below and follow its procedure:-----

What to Do When Car Turns Over But Won't Start?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-to-do-when-car-turns-over-but-wont.html

-----------
Car starting issues?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-starting-issues.html

------------
Car Starting Problems

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/car-starting-problems.html

--------
1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

----------
1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

---------
1999 Chrysler Cirrus: 8 IGN Fuel Starter Fuse Blows?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1999-chrysler-cirrus-8-ign-fuel-starter.html

-----------
2001 Toyota Camry: No start After replacing Battery?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-camry-no-start-after.html

----------
1989 Toyota Pickup Truck: Turns over but not start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1989-toyota-pickup-truck-turns-over-but.html

--------------
Car dead and will not Start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/car-dead-and-will-not-start.html

--------
1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

----------
2001 Toyota Prius will not start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-prius-will-not-start.html

---------
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine will not start? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1996-jeep-grand-cherokee-engine-will.html ------------- Mitsubishi will not start

http://www.howtorepairguide.com

---------

These will help.

Thanks.

CAR NO START PROBLEMS:-----

It can be the issue with weak battery or faulty battery or if battery is ok,then its faulty starter causing the issue.

From start to end troubleshooting these problem i suggest you to click the link below and follow its procedure:-----

What to Do When Car Turns Over But Won't Start?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-to-do-when-car-turns-over-but-wont.html

-----------
Car starting issues?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-starting-issues.html

------------
Car Starting Problems

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/car-starting-problems.html

--------
1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

----------
1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

---------
1999 Chrysler Cirrus: 8 IGN Fuel Starter Fuse Blows?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1999-chrysler-cirrus-8-ign-fuel-starter.html

-----------
2001 Toyota Camry: No start After replacing Battery?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-camry-no-start-after.html

----------
1989 Toyota Pickup Truck: Turns over but not start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1989-toyota-pickup-truck-turns-over-but.html

--------------
Car dead and will not Start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/car-dead-and-will-not-start.html

--------
1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

----------
2001 Toyota Prius will not start? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-prius-will-not-start.html

---------
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine will not start? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1996-jeep-grand-cherokee-engine-will.html ------------- Mitsubishi will not start

http://www.howtorepairguide.com

---------

These will help.

Thanks.

your pickup coil could be the problem. not geting enough spark or sparking all the time

check fuel pressure. Fuel pressure regulator or pump is probally bad.

check the compression in the cylinders, did you time it correctlly?

it sound like its in the coleum . may be your key switch is bad . its something simpull. check your fues inside and out .and see if you can hear your realay working. i hope you can find the prob

first make sure you have the right starter,and if you do then try putting a shime in it if this dont solve the problem the you might have a bad flywell and those are apain to change...