Rep Power: 0

Hello,

I'll admit, I'm no mechanic or even close. Here in Denver we've been having -20 Degree Weather since Wednesday. I last drove my car on Tuesday. On Thursday, I went to leave, but the car would not start. It was somewhat of a slow crank, and I remembered the last time I had the oil changed they said the battery was very low on Cold Cranking AMPS.

So, I bought a BRAND NEW Battery. Still wouldn't start. Tried to jump, no go.
I just changed out the spark plugs, still won't start. I'm wondering if the gas lines could have frozen up if there was enough condensation inside? That Tuesday it was about 55 degrees outside and then come Wednesday night it was -20. I have half a tank of gas in it...

My car does sit outside, but I moved it into a garage on Friday, still won't start today, but we haven't broke 15 degrees and thus the garage is probably still around 0 degrees or less.

Any ideas?

Thank you for your time and suggestions.

 
Rep Power: 518

Does it have spark? How much spark? (If no spark, start there. Gotta have spark!)
Did the dist cap get covered with snow?

Does it try to fire any cylinders at all when you crank it?

I'll guess......
Weak battery > slow crank > flooded.
Even with a fresh battery and new plugs, it most likely lost compression when it got flooded.
Plus, liquid gas standing in the cylinders can get the new plugs wet and they won't fire.

You put new plugs in it, are they wet with gas now?

Hold the gas pedal to the floor the entire time you crank it, this shuts off the fuel injectors and can help de-flood the engine.

Last resort might be to oil the cylinders manually to restore lost compression, dry the plugs, and try some more.

None of this will do any good if there is no spark.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you for your suggestions.

I'm not sure how to test for spark. I do know that when I pulled the spark plugs that they weren't wet/soaked. They were dirty, but that's probably due to not having changed them in probably 9 years, lol.

As As for distributor, I don't think mine has it. It's an automatic EX model....

 
Rep Power: 518

97 has a distributor.


This guy flies through a bunch of 'no-start tests' really quick, maybe some can be of help to you.
Quick spark check comes in around 2 minutes
If the plugs were not wet, and spark is present, then I'd suspect a lack of fuel for some reason.
I'd spray a shot of Carb and Throttle cleaner into the throttle body and crank it-- if it tries to fire with this, then I'd know it's lacking fuel for some reason and proceed with troubleshooting that direction.