Q: Cranking, not starting.

Spark and fuel are required for the engine to start and run properly. If the engine cranks easily, odds are it’s not a battery or starter issue. Lack of spark and fuel can be caused by a number of components. The crankshaft sensor for example. Typically, the engine control unit looks for a signal from the crankshaft sensor to determine that the engine is spinning. It determines what position each cylinder is in, then triggers the ignition and fuel systems to power up. If the crank sensor is bad, spark and fuel could be lacking. Other sensors like the coolant temperature sensor can also be at fault. If the engine control unit cannot determine the engine temperature, the fuel mixture may be too rich (too much fuel) or too lean (not enough fuel), both of which can cause a hard starting situation. Also, considering the age and mileage of the vehicle, the engine wiring harness can also be a cause. Wires get brittle with age and can easily break or cause shorts. With so many possibilities, it may be best to have a certified technician look into the hard starting to find the exact cause.