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Engine won't start?

Tiny
DASTAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 47,000 MILES
The car won't start. Pulled it out of the carport onto the drive which is at an angle downhill. Left it there overnight and it won't start. Just cranks away and when you turn the key off, backfires through the breather. I thought it had jumped time, but a friend came over and was checking it out and it started for him on the second hit. I was a hands on healing as he hadn't messed with anything. Decided it was too low on fuel and probably had trash in the filter screwing things up. Replaced the fuel filter and made a trip to the gas station to fill it up. Filled up and it hasn't started since. Crank away and when you turn off the key a backfire through the breather. If it was a timing issue, it wouldn't start after it jumped time. Right? The cam sensor is only two years old, so I don't think it's that. The service engine light never came on and I've tried the paperclip trick to retrieve code, but it's not talking. What am I looking at here? Ignition module? Crank sensor? I'm baffled, not to mention without a car. Any help?
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 AT 10:16 AM

39 Replies

Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
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
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
DASTAR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
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.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
Does this car have a distributor?
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
DASTAR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It has a coil pack. I have to add that it doesn't backfire everytime you crank it. Probably every fourth or fifth time.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
Remove the ignition module from the coil pack. Take the module to Autozone or someplace like that and have them test it.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
Do check your crank sensor and its wiring to it for looseness and frayed wires its in your crank pully
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
DASTAR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
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
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
BLUEPIG47
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
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!
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
It sounds like it is the module, they had a crossfire problem with those it was a big problem.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
EXPOBASSING03
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
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!
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CASSIE2476
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
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
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_fuel_injection_pressure.htm
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/test_engine_ignition_system.htm
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LJWSPOON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LJWSPOON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
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.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_lesabre_relay_center_1.jpg

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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MRKOKANEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
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
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM (Merged)

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