1996 Chevy Malibu Lumina randomly won't start

HERBERTWEST

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET MALIBU

1996 Chevy Malibu 149xxx miles

occasionally if after driving for a while if I try to start my car it will start, but it will sputter out in a few seconds and then won't start until like an hour after. [I deliver pizzas so my car tends to be on and off frequently while i'm working.]

any ideas what the problem might be? I'll post any other information that might be needed. I was told it might be the fuel pump.

3 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

I was told it might be the fuel pump.

Could be but you need to check the fuel pressure to confirm it-also the ignition switch

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Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 AT 11:11 PM

HERBERTWEST

MEMBER
1 POST

If I try to start the car it tries to turn over, but it acts like there isn't any gas in it. This happened yesterday and I had at least 3/4 of a tank.

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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 10:08 AM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do below and tell me what happened

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

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Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 3:03 PM