Car wont start after it gets hot

Tiny
AMBER2945
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
Can you give me trouble shooting tips on why my car wont start after its been ran and gets hot?
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 AT 2:28 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/first_things.htm

Ignition modlues are the first thing that comes to mind on this symptom.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2009 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
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Usually a plugged converter will give other symptoms like a rough run, misfire, lack of aceleration.
Glad you found it!
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Saturday, October 24th, 2009 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
AMBER2945
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Ok car still not restarting when hot also replaced filter fuel ingnition modjuel, converter, fuel regulatoe sensor I dont know what else to do please help thanks
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Sunday, October 25th, 2009 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
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Are you able to determine if you are not getting spark or not getting fuel?

A shot of starting fluid or carb cleaner can be sprayed in the throttle body to check for lack of fuel.
Maybe the sock in the tank gets plugged.

You can try to get it to happen and be prepared with a bucket of ice water and a towel. You can quickly cool off a suspect component that is overheating.

Try wiggling or tapping on the m.A.F sensor when the no start happens. IF nothing unplug it and try it.
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Sunday, October 25th, 2009 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
SUNGOD
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Mine did that and I had the cranks sensor replaced and it fixed it. Was about 200 bucks
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
ZDISCERN
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  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
My car won't start. It will crank but not turn over. The spark plugs are drenched with gas when I crank the car. I have changed the fuel pump. But it appears the main culpit is the spark plugs being flooded with gas when the car is cranked.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMBONZE2009
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
My car won't start so I put it in neutral to roll it back so I can jump start it. Then I am able to start it -- just by rolling it back. ANy ideas?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Possible causes: could be the starter, starter relay, park/neutral switch and ignition switch
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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  • 15 POSTS
  • 1992 BUICK CENTURY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
Recently my Buick started this problem. Half the time it starts and runs fine, the other half it will not start (after not being used for several hours). When it doesn't start, the first turn of the key sounds normal, but if I continue to try, there is a sort of "backfire" that seems to occur where in the air filter compartment, and there is a puff of white vapor/smoke in the same position.

I do have a check engine light that's been coming on for about 2 months, which I was told was saying that my EGR valve was bad. At the time I was told this at Autozone, they also said it wasn't a serious situation, and at most I would probably have reduced gas mileage until I replaced it.

I'm not sure if the EGR valve could be causing the random ignition failures, and while I wait on my paycheck, I took out the valve and attempted to clean it and oil it with WD40. It didn't fix the problem, so I'm wondering if this could be the whole problem, or if it's not involved, and what the issue might be.

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Steve-
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_95_OlderGM_20.jpg


Cross these two terminals as shown, then turn the key on. Count the flashes, a 22 will flash as 2 flashes then a short pause, then 2 flashes, if more than one code is stored, the pause will be longer. The codes will display three times and end with 12. Write them down and post here. This connector is right under the middle of the dash...
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Ok just did that. It seemed to give me two different codes. A 13 and a 32.

Thanks again !
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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O2 sensor and egr. These are not causing your starting issues. If this has the 4 cylinder engine then most likely the cause is the #1 spark plug wire is bad so rep[lace plugs and plug wires. If the engine is in fact a 3.8l v6 then the problem is probably a faulty coil pack and you can check it by using a ohm meter across the towers of the coils and you will probably find one that has a open in it.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Ok, I will do that asap. Thanks a ton for the advice. As far as the o2 sensor and EGR issues, I take it I'll just need to replace the sensor, but any advice on diagnosing the EGR code?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Get it running first then we will worry about the egr.32 could also be the MAP sensor voltage is low.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Ok just finished replacing plugs and wires, also went ahead and replaced the o2 sensor.

Car started on the first try afterwards, so hopefully that behavior will continue.

Edit:

car is still starting. After clearing ECM codes and driving it then getting a check engine light, i'm still getting the 13 and 32 codes.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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Well I jinxed myself. It's not starting again, same backfire thing.

Any other suggestions?
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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What ignition system does this have (here are 2 different ) are the coils all one piece or are there 3 seperate coils? If they are all one coil in a block then replace it. You can check for sure by using a ohm meter across the coil towers and I strongly feel you will find a coil out of resistance
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRIPP78
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I'm still rather new to this, but as far as i'm understanding, the coils are in a single block. I'm going to check for spark and also test the posts at the coil as you suggested.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
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That coil pack is a bad design and is very common for your condition. You will find one set of coiltowers to be open causing your problem and all you have to do is replace it
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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM (Merged)

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