1996 Chevy Lumina Will not start.

Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 215,000 MILES
I have a 1996 Chevy Lumina LS. I got it from my sister she was the only owner. It had a miss so she took it to a Chevy dealer and their scan showed DTC Po401 stored, EGR failure due to intake blockage. They then replaced EGR valve cleared intake ports, cleared DTC. That was on 7/8/2010. It ran great for 15 miles. She stopped at the mail box and it hickup and then started running rough again. My brother in-law replaced the front 3 plugs with no gap plugs but couldn't do the back three. It still was missing out. When I got the car I drove it and within 15 minutes it did have a miss. I ran a scan and if came up with p0301 (misfire # 1 cylinder). I install the same type plugs in the back. It would start then die. So I changed all the plugs with gap type at 60 thousands and wires. I checked to make sure it was all correct 5 times. Now it wont start. I checked for spark and there is blue spark. I checked the fuel pressure by removing the cap and pushed the valve and it blew right out. I cleared the codes and and now it shows 0 codes but still wont start. By the way the EGR valve was also replaced 11/11/2008 by the same Dealer. This is a 1996 Chevy Lumina LS.
Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 3:35 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
Starter take a dump on you? Dead battery. U didn't mention that u checked these basics in ur question so I hope that isn't it. Rough idle could be your Idle air control Valve. Right up by the throttle plate. Try to get those back three plugs too. If you slide the dog bone up front a bit and support motor with a floorjack you could lift the motor and get clearance. It works with the 3.4 dohc so it should for the 3.1.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi CJHoward, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation-

Now it wont start. I checked for spark and there is blue spark.

Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and check the fuel pressure if its within specs and comeback with the readings we start here
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
If you have fuel and spark you either missing exhaust or compression. The starter makes the compression. If that doesn't work she can't exhale take off the catalytic converter(just unbolt and unhang. If she wont start then id take it in fixin. And I had a fuel pump fail on me. It would only do 15 lbs. I need like 40-45 in my z. You should check with a guage
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I did the fuel pressure test and if I did it right there is only 9 lbs of pressure. That seems low. I don't know what the specks are thought.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
Fuel injection should be 4-5 times that. Very likely it is a fuel pump.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
Im pretty sure you need to rev the engine not just test at idle. If u did it right its most likely a fuel pump. But start simple. Filter. Test the regulator out
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It doesn't start so that is the only way I can test it.I put the new $45.00 tester on checked for leaks and turn on the ignition switch on with little result. Then I tried starting it and that is reading I got.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
If you are able to test the starter you should do so. If you live close to an auto zone they will rent you tools. (More like a keg deposit actually) some places will test your starter for you also. I still think its a fuel pump but atleast this is a cost effective procedure to make positive before spending a hundred bucks on a pump. I can hear my pump kick on when you turn the key to "on" but not all cars do that.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It turns over but won't start. The starter is fine.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
While its turning over see if you can feel if puff at the exhaust. Over if you have to plug the tailpipe with you hand. If you feel nothing unbolt the catalytic converter and try to start it. If it runs then ( loud as all hell) you have a clogged cat. You can weld in a universal or buy a direct fit type. If it wont start exhausting out of the down pipe bolt it back up it has to be the pump
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
Fuel specs are as follows Ignition ON Engine OFF 40.5 to 47.0 psi
With Regulator Vacuum Applied [1] 3.0 - 10.0 psi Less than Ignition ON Engine OFF since it wont start I still think pump but try out the cat by unbolting cat and moving it out of the way a bit to let it exhaust and try to start it.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok I will do it tomorrow. It is dark here now in Texas. Thanks I will let you know.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Stupid me ! The gas tank was empty.
I got it started and ran a scan. No codes. No engine light. Idles rough at 900 rpms. And the needle bounces up to 2500 rpms and back again. When I give it gas and release it dies. If the AC is on it won't die. What is up with that?
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
I kinda wanna hit you for the gas thing dude. But hey we've all been absent minded before. Can you get it into drive and see how it drives. My lumina has run rough for the first few minutes and surges on cold starts for 2 years now haha. Im almost positive its a bad injector and flooding. Im still tinkering before I go buy 1 or 6 injectors. They aren't cheap and I get employee pricing at napa. I just replaced the idle air control motor today and ill let you know about that tomorrow. It also could be a vac leak. My z34 was known for a plenum leak. (Probably cuz the wires are run under it)
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
CJHOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
How do you check fuel injectors on a 1996 Chevy Lumina LS 3.1?
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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
NICKHEADZ34
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
Yea im sure its injectors now for me. Im not sure how to check them. Im asking the tech now
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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 6:58 PM

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