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Car will not start?

Tiny
DANIELBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,000 MILES
I have a 88 buick lesabre that will not start and I have changed the starter, control module and the crankshaft position sensor and still will not crank so what could be the problem?
Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 11:47 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
DANIELBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It is cranking over but will not start
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
DANIELBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I am getting a blue light but the fuel pressure seems to be good since it shoots out.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
DANIELBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I will do that next and see what happens
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
RAMBLINMAN27909
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
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?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
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
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYMONTANA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure if it within specs and clean and test the idle air control valve and see what happens-
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYMONTANA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok I will do u think the coolant sensor has anything to do with the problem
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I don't think so
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JMAC16
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
All of a sudden after not driving it for 3 days and 3 days of rain it won' start. Any ideas
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-1
Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACKEGERTON2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
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?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DJOYNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
Car will crank but will not start, seems to be no spark at coil pack.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
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
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUICKGRIFFIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 BUICK LESABRE
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?
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.FIX IT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm mr. Fix it have u ever tried putting starter fluid in it? I hope I helped :D
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)

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