Car will not start?

When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear engine try to fire?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

it is cranking over but will not start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

i am getting a blue light but the fuel pressure seems to be good since it shoots out.

Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure tester-the eyeball and thumb method is not gonna work. You have to use the fuel pressure tester

I will do that next and see what happens

It used to start hard and even after it started , it ran rough for a few seconds and then it straighten out and ran fine . but now, it won,t start at all . i replaced the timing chain, cam sensor, magnet, crank sensor, spark plugs, sprayed starting fluid in it. checked to see if the plugs were firing, compression but it just won,t even attempt to start . any suggestions what to try next?

Good evening,

You need to do some tests. From your description, it sounds like it could be a fuel pump. The pressure needs to be checked to confirm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

You also need to check for spark to the plugs while cranking.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Roy

Hi I have a 1988 buick lesabre i brought about 3 weeks ago in stockton ca, from there i drove it to sacramento ca, and finally to oakland ca my hometown the car ran fine didnt heatup stall or anything unnormal until today it left me stranded midway threw a tunnel a busy 1 to on my way to school so i finally got a push from caltrans and later i found out my battery was bad and my waterpump was making noises like it was loose and scratching from the inside so i changed it and tried to start the car it turned on for about 3 minutes then it started shaking and stalling till finally it turned off itself now it cracks up for about a second but the car just wont stay on ANY ADVICE WILL HELP PLEASE LET ME NOW IM A FULLTIME COLLEGE STUDENT AND ITS MY ONLY RIDE.

Check the fuel pressure if it within specs and clean and test the idle air control valve and see what happens-

ok i will do u think the coolant sensor has anything to do with the problem

I don't think so

all of a sudden after not driving it for 3 days and 3 days of rain it won' start. any ideas

Check for moisture in the distributor, spray plug wires with WD 40, this helps dry out the moisture, then if it starts consider new wires and check cap and rotor condition.

I have a 1988 Buick Lesabre. I have checked the coil and changed the crank sensor, but once it warms up a little it cuts out and loses power to a point of completely dying. it idles with a little roughness, but once the load is put on it from the transmission, It will barely move. Can you help me diagnose this? I don't have the money for a garage.

How long since a tune-up? Any applicable mil codes? Use a gage and check fuel pressure.

If the engine races and the vehicle barely moves, could be a tranny issue?

Car will crank but will not start, seems to be no spark at coil pack.

Often times a failed crankshaft position sensor will cause a no spark condition. Do me a favor. I need you to pull diagnostic trouble codes on the vehicle. This has an OBD1 system and doesn't require a scanner to check. All you will need is a short jumper wire or even a paper clip.

Here is a link that shows how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method


Once you retrieve the codes, let me know what they are.

I attached a picture of the crank sensor I mentioned. Make sure it is connected and there is no damage to the wiring.

Also, here are a few links you may find of interest:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement


Joe

I have an 87 buick lesabre w/ 145,591 miles it has a v6 engine. The car ran great everything was in pretty good working condition. I let it sit in the garage for a period of about 2years it had a half tank of gas. I tried starting it recently i put a new battery in it and the spark plugs are good I have put oil in it as well as added gas to the tank but it won't start. It turns and turns but will not start. What should I do?

I'm mr.fix it have u ever tried putting starter fluid in it? i hope i helped :D

Sounds like old gas. I second starter fluid, and maybe gas cleaner wouldn't hurt either.

Engine Mechanical problem
1983 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic unknow miles

My brother in-law lives 2000 miles away and is having trouble starting his buick. He thinks that it is a 236 V-6 engine. He says it is not firing when it cranks. Does this engine have a coil that may be bad or should he look elsewhere for another problem ? He is handicapped with terminal cancer and I am trying to help him solve this problem as quickly and cost effectively as possible.
Thanks ,
David Ratliff

He says it is not firing when it cranks. If its cranking over and refuses to start-have someone do below to see if its a fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it