Service engine soon light on and shaking

Tiny
STAY1978
  • MEMBER
  • BUICK LESABRE
I have a 2000 Buick Lesabre Custom 6 cylinder with about 124,000 miles. I was on vacation for 2 weeks the car was left sitting. When I came home drove it to work 100 miles round trip next day drove it 5 miles up the road and the service engine soon light came on and it started shaking really bad. Put some fuel cleaner in and filled the tank now when I start it and leave it running the service light is steady on. If I drive it down the street it shakes a little but if I get a stop sign it vibrates the whole car and the light starts blinking again, when I start accelerating again the light goes steady. Any clues on what to do? I live in a very small town and the closest mechanic is about 30 miles away via the interstate. Thanks for any and all help.
Friday, March 16th, 2007 AT 11:13 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KIN CHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 453 POSTS
Go to the nearest auto parts store and have them pull the diagnostic trouble codes. So I know at least what the computer saw for problematic components and systems.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2007 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
STAY1978
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The code is P0300 multi cylinder failure. Also, noticed today when doing a test drive if I make a left u-turn I hear a what sounds like a grinding sound. Thanks for any and all help.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2007 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
KIN CHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 453 POSTS
Probably bad gas or water condensation. To be sure you need a real mechanic. Has to be able to check pids data and verify its fuel cause misfire. I can guess more but you have to give me more information.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2007 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
STAY1978
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I was thinking that's what the cause was so I put in Gumout Fuel Injector Cleaner the high mileage one. After I filled the tank and put it in it sounds and feels a lot better, but it still does the shake a little bit and I can feel its not back to normal yet. Should I run it or drive it to get the gas running through it to clean it out? Is it safe to drive? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2007 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

I would start by replacing the plugs and wires. From sitting, the wires may have got hard and are leaking electric.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

I would also check the fuel pressure to be sure the fuel pressure is correct. Low fuel pressure will set a 300 code.

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

Roy

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
When the ignition switch is turned ON, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will turn ON the in-tank fuel pump. The in-tank fuel pump will remain ON as long as the engine is cranking or running and the PCM is receiving reference pulses. If there are no reference pulses, the PCM will turn the in-tank fuel pump OFF 2 seconds after the ignition switch is turned ON or 2 seconds after the engine stops running.

The in-tank fuel pump is an electric pump within an integral reservoir. The in-tank fuel pump supplies fuel through the fuel feed pipe, and in-line fuel filter to the Fuel Rail Assembly. The fuel pump is designed to provide fuel at a pressure above the pressure needed by the fuel injectors.

A fuel pressure regulator, attached to the Fuel Rail, keeps the fuel available to the fuel injectors at a regulated pressure. Unused fuel is returned to the fuel tank by a separate fuel return pipe. The fuel pump flex pipe functions as a conduit for transporting pressurized fuel from the fuel pump to the above cover fuel feed pipe. The fuel pump flex pipe also eliminates fuel pump generated pressure pulse noise, and eliminates clamps formerly needed for rubber hoses or nylon pipes. The fuel pressure gauge and fuel pipe shut off adapters are used for fuel system diagnosis.

TOOLS REQUIRED
J 34730-1A, Fuel Pressure Gauge
J 37287 Inlet and Return Fuel Line Shut-off Adapters

TEST DESCRIPTION
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
2. To relieve the fuel pressure, refer to Fuel Pressure Relief Procedure. With the ignition switch ON and the fuel pump running, the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge should be 333-376 kPa (48-55 psi). This pressure is controlled by the amount of pressure the spring inside the fuel pressure regulator can provide.
3. A fuel system that drops more than 5 psi in 10 minutes has a leak in one or more of the following areas:
The fuel pump check valve.
The fuel pump flex pipe.
The valve or valve seat within the fuel pressure regulator.
The fuel injector(s).
5. Fuel pressure that drops-off during acceleration, cruise or hard cornering may cause a lean condition. A lean condition can cause a loss of power, surging, or misfire. A lean condition can be diagnosed using a scan tool. If an extremely lean condition occurs, the oxygen sensor(s) will stop toggling. The oxygen sensor output voltage(s) will drop below 500 mV. Also, the fuel injector width will increase.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the fuel system is not operating in the Fuel Cut-Off Mode. This can cause false indications by the scan tool.

8. When the engine is at idle, the manifold pressure is low (high vacuum). This low pressure (high vacuum) is applied to the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm. The low pressure (high vacuum) will offset the pressure being applied to the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm by the spring inside fuel pressure regulator. When this happens, the result is lower fuel pressure. The fuel pressure at idle will vary slightly as the barometric pressure changes, but the fuel pressure at idle should always be less than the fuel pressure noted in Step 2 with the Engine OFF.
12. A rich condition may result from the fuel pressure being above 376 kPa (55 psi). A rich condition may cause a DTC P0132 or a DTC P0172 to set. Driveability conditions associated with rich conditions can include hard starting (followed by black smoke) and a strong sulfur smell in the exhaust.
13. This test determines if the high fuel pressure is due to a restricted fuel return pipe or if the high fuel pressure is due to a faulty fuel pressure regulator.
15. A lean condition may result from the fuel pressure being below 333 kPa (48 psi). A lean condition may cause a DTC P0131 or a DTC P0171 to set. Driveability conditions associated with lean conditions can include hard starting (when the engine is cold), hesitation, poor driveability, lack of power, surging, and misfiring.
16. Restricting the fuel return pipe with the Fuel Pipe Shut-Off Adapter Refer to J 37287 causes the fuel pressure to rise above the regulated fuel pressure. Using a scan tool to pressurize the system, the fuel pressure should rise above 376 kPa (55 psi) as the valve on the Fuel Pipe Shut-Off Adapter connected to the fuel return pipe becomes partially closed.

NOTE: Do not allow the fuel pressure to exceed 450 kPa (65 psi). Fuel pressure in excess of 450 kPa (65 psi) may damage the Fuel Pressure Regulator.

22. Check the spark plug associated with a particular fuel injector for fouling or saturation in order to determine if that particular fuel injector is leaking. If checking the spark plug associated with a particular fuel injector for fouling or saturation does not determine that a particular fuel injector is leaking, use the procedure.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 5:44 PM

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