1991 Chevy Lumina 1991 Chevy Lumina electrical problem?

Tiny
SCREAMINGMEME322
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
I have a 1991 Chevy Lumina. I was driving one day and the check engine light came on and the speedometer needle dropped to 0, then the car died. I put it into neutral to start the car agian and to no avail. It will run for about 10 minutes after sitting a few hours but the whole mess happens agian. We have changed a oxygen sensor, fuel filter and the fuel pump. I have tried to retrieve the trouble codes but it doesn't seem to be storing any. Got any suggestions?
Monday, July 28th, 2008 AT 9:22 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
How did you read the codes? You should have received a code 12 if nothing else. What's the litre size of your engine?

When it refuses to start, does it crank ok? If so, have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs and injector pulse.

Did you check fuel pressure, before you replaced anything? Some of the discount autostores will sell a fuel pressure gage for less than the parts you've already replaced.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
SCREAMINGMEME322
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My 1991 Chevy Lumina is a 3.1 liter. I did the paper clip method and got the code 12 but nothing else. It does crank over. It might start but die agian right away. I just don't understand why the speedometer drops before it dies. It willl start fine and run like a champ until about 10 minutes then whamm-o, check engine light, speedometer drop and chug chug. I seems like it isn't getting any gas but I have checked the fuel thingy on the top of the engine and gas comes out so there must be pressure. I am stumped!
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 8:54 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Does it die at idle or only in gear?

Pressing the schrader valve to see if gas squirts up, isn't the best way. You would have an initial prime when you turn on the key, no crank. You need to see if the fuel pump is running, with the engine cranking. You can turn the key on, no crank, leave the key in the on position, wrap something over the schrader valve, so gas doesn't go everywhere, bleed the pressure off, then, without recycling the key, crank the engine for a few seconds, recheck the schrader valve to see if there is any pressure. You have to do the testing when the vehicle refuses to start. My first thought was, you may be losing the rpm signal. With the engine cranking if there is no rpm signal, you will have no spark at the plugs, no injector pulse. Other than the initial prime, the pump won't run, unless there is an o/p switch in the pump circuit. I don't believe you have that.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 10:13 AM

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