Engine won't start?

You have got to find out if it is spark or fuel

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

Try squirting carb cleaner down the throttle plates if it starts its fuel if not its spark

I already tried starter fluid and that didn't work. Still won't start. Still backfires through the breather when you stop cranking. Also took off one rail of the the injector system and saw that it was getting fuel. I don't think it's fuel. Haven't checked the pressure on the fuel line yet, but I'm guessing it's fire.

[quote:cdc4bb49ee="dastar"]I already tried starter fluid and that didn't work. Still won't start. Still backfires through the breather when you stop cranking. Also took off one rail of the the injector system and saw that it was getting fuel. I don't think it's fuel. Haven't checked the pressure on the fuel line yet, but I'm guessing it's fire.[/quote:cdc4bb49ee]

does this car have a distributor?

It has a coil pack. I have to add that it doesn't backfire everytime you crank it. Probably every fourth or fifth time.

Remove the ignition module from the coil pack. Take the module to Autozone or someplace like that and have them test it.

[quote:0211912402="dastar"]It has a coil pack. I have to add that it doesn't backfire everytime you crank it. Probably every fourth or fifth time.[/quote:0211912402]

do check your crank sensor and its wiring to it for looseness and frayed wires its in your crank pully

I replaced the coil pack about four years ago and the crank sensor about two years ago. I don't remember backfiring being a problem in either case, but it could be that I just don't remember that it was doing it. I'll check both. The cam sensor is the original from 1989 as is the timing chain, but it really does only have 47,000 miles on it. I was thinking that they're probably okay. Unless just age is the issue.

SOLUTION BY KEN BELOW

I just had the same problem with mine. I have a '89 Buick Lesabre that has 28000 mile on it. I replaced the computer and it it works perfect now. I ended up changing my coil pack, fuel pump/ filter. I took out my fuel lines completely and blew those out and testing all of my injectors. It wasn't any of those things!

It sounds like it is the module, they had a crossfire problem with those it was a big problem.

Engine Mechanical problem
1989 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 190k miles

Car had been driving fine with no problems. i had gotten home and tried leaving 2 hours later to go to the gym.the car turned on but died out instantly. could'nt leave the drive way.when i turn the key to on, the service engine soon light blinks along with the temp light about every three seconds , like an on and off type thing. while clicking is occuring, in the motor, all of the sensors are make a clicking sound along with the radiator fan turning on and off with the click. all the relays under the hood are clicking as well. everthing clicks to the service light turning on and off. 40 psi fuel. electrical is good. connected an obd1 but since the service engine light blinks i could not get a code. so returned it. i take out the ecm fuse and the clicking stops. so i took out the computer? what could this be?!!

Try disconnecting the battery and touching the two cables together to discharge the electronics. Hook the battery back up and see if it still goes crazy. If so, you probably have a bad ECM.

Shakes or Wobbles problem
1989 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Automatic

My car will turn over but will not start. I've been told it could the fuel pump, filter, injectors. I've been told alot of things and I just need to know how to know if it is the fuel pump and where the fuel line is located on the car

well if you listen very carfully , when you turn the key to the on position, you should hear a funny noise kinda like a buzzing comming from the fuel tank, Youll need to listen while someone turns the key to on. also you can just follow the fuel lines out of the gas tank underneath the car. I would check for fuel by the pressure regulator too and check for spark, I'll send you a couple of links to show you how to do this.

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_engine_ignition_system.htm

Engine Mechanical problem
1989 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have replaced spark plugs, wires, starter, and ignition kit and it only turns over.

Have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. Spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. Any applicable trouble codes?

When you say, ignition kit, your not talking about some aftermarket thing? If so, I can't help you.

I BOUGHT THE IGNITION PACK WITH THE 4 WIRE HOOK UP AT THE BOTTOM, BUT NO I STILL GOT NO SPARK, AND I OPENED THE GAS CAP AND PUT MY EAR TO IT WHILE HE TURNED THE IGNITION AND DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING.

There may be some fuses in the area of lower middle of dash. Use a voltage tester, see if fuses are ok, and that fuse circuits are hot. As you can see fuses 6& 7 supply primary voltage to ignition module--fuel injector/s-- fuel pump relay. Those circuits go hot when you turn on the key, if no voltage may have to check feed to and from ignition switch.

the problem is the car won't start,i have done a few tests like the node test using a led and it lite up find i aslo have spark to every plug(bought new ones)by the way before it wouldn't start the wife said she go no faster than 20 or 30 km when she brought it home it would start but reving the engine was very sluggish and no power i thought the plugs were the problems so i bought new ones and installed them,same problem
it started 2 more times after that then nothing, crank but no start i have fuel at what pressure i do not know but when i depressed the schader valve the fuel shot right out big time.when i took the plugs out to check
they were wet and every once in awhile it pops and farts out the throttle body as if it fired correctly for a moment and cranks slowly and almost not to crank at all as if the timing has been changed i have not checked the cam sensor yet but i will just seems funny to start change the plugs start a few times and then nothing....any ideas....could use the help
thanks in advanced

i would check the catalitic converter if you still have one on. if it is plugged up, this could cause the problem. good luck

check the exhaust back pressure. also the fuel pressure key on engine off 40-47 psi pressure at idle 37-43 psi.

Car won't start on its own. If starting fuel is sprayed into the air duct it starts up right away and runs very smooth drives with out any problems. When turned off, and you try to start again it does not you have to use the starting fuel again. So far I have replaced the fuel pump, ignition coil and igniter, cmp. and ckp. sensors, coolant temperature sensor, air flow sensor, injectors. The car runs very very smooth as soon as it fires up but it would not fire up with out the starting fuel. Have been working on this problem for months.

check yoru fuel pressure should be 41-47 psi min

Check the voltage (using a voltmeter) to the fuel injectors when you are spinning the engine over trying to start it. It should alternate between approximately battery voltage and 0 volts.

Also, check the computer codes and post them here. This way we'll have a good starting point in diagnosing the problem (otherwise we'll have to check everything!)

What size engine does you car have.

The fuel pressure is within specs, and there are no codes in the system. However during cranking the voltage at the injectors is never more than .52 volts, but when I get the car is running by using the starting fuel the voltage is 12+ volts. The engine size is 3.8L .

P.S Could not check it before due to the fact that it was a public holiday.

if you can spray fuel and it runs it sounds like a fuel problem. get your igniniton mocule checked auto parts store can do this, you may not be getting ignition for the injector s to work. also when you test fuel pressure it should hold pressure for 5 minutes after the key is off if not then check regulator. also check cranks sensor connector as it may be bad. this cold be a pcm or prom problem as well.

2 weeks ago I went to start the car it started for a minute then died I re-started it the engine gave like a power surge and a puff of blck smoke came from tail pipe she idled really rough for a minute or two then died and has not started I have replaced the coil the battery is only 2 months old.please help as this is my only vehicle

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.



Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.


2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.


3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

my dash bourd acted funny the digital radio and dash bourd itself just started making flickering like backwourds c's and after that the the car started jerking then stalled and now it does not start up it has good gas pressure, spark, compression, and i replaced the crank sensor. I also checked the ecu fuse and that is also ok so what would be the problem and how do i solve this problem
things that was replaced

spark plugs and wires, coil pack, and lower crank sensor

Hi:
If you have spark, fuel, and compression it should run, unless the timing is off. Have you checked the cam sensor? How much compression does the engine have? Does it try to start or backfire?

Let me know.

Joe

Car started acting up after driving a while, would idle weird then shut off, would crank again, but still hesitate. Eventually wouldnt start at all, replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, & ignition module, Started & ran good for about a month, then started same thing again, & wouldnt start. Then replaced fuel pump, & filter. started again & ran fine for about 3 weeks. Again started stalling, I went to store and turned it off, when I came back it wouldnt start... Waited a few minutes, tried a few more times & it started, but ran rough. Acted like it was gonna die, & everytime I tried to accelerate it ran even worse, after a couple of miles down the road it smoothed out fine and got me home... next morning tried to crank it, but no luck. Cleaned fuel injectors, used lucas... nothing, but tried again and it started, ran a few minutes, backfired, and died... Please I need help:(

scan for codes and check fuel pressure. shold be 41-47 psi. check map sensor and hose leading to it if yo have one. it also could be crank sensor as they had problems that year with those.

i need to know,i let my sister drive my car the other day and now my car is broke down,the engine will turn but wont start,i checked my plugs and they have a bunch of carbon built up on them,it also has a short somewhere that causes the battery to drain over night.it quit running like this before,but 2 days later it started right up.what could it be keeping it from running?please help me.i cant go to work or anywhere for that matter,unless i can get my car back running.thanks
RICHARD(CHILLIN)

Try changing the plugs. Make sure you properly gap them.

BTW: I dought letting your sister drive the car has anything to do with the cars problem..Keep in touch

Car starts & idles fine but when you press the throttle it starts sputtering & dies. After it dies it will start right up with no problems. Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

[quote:ef9ab7d284="gracer"]Engine Performance problem
1989 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 204000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
Car starts & idles fine but when you press the throttle it starts sputtering & dies. After it dies it will start right up with no problems. Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.[/quote:ef9ab7d284]
check fuel pump and fuel pressure
check tps and mass air flow sensor

I have a 1989 BUick Lesabre it has 199,000 miles it is giving me trouble running and starting sometimes you start smelling gas when you try to start it. It seems like sometimes it is flooded and sometimes it isn't getting gas at all I heard a slight ticking this morning and it seemed to be coming from the fuel injectors. The fuel pumpe is fairly new but I open to any suggestions

Sorry for the late reply.

How long since a tune-up? Check for applicable trouble codes, your obd1, you should be able to check mil codes? Use a gage and check proper fuel pressure. Also, check that the pressure will hold for a bit with everything off.
Smell of the crankcase oil dipstick, see if it smells like gas?

I realize this is an old post. In the future, hope you don't have any vehicle issues, but, if you do, keep the site in mind. They are always working to improve the site and it's free to ask a question. They have more moderators now, to answer questions, than they did a few years ago.
Have a good day.