Shut off while driving and would not restart, engine cranks but does not start?

2000 BUICK LESABRE
160,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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Have a crank won't start condition. While I was driving and felt like it ran out of gas, the car shut off and wouldn't start. The car has fuel, the fuel pump runs, and the fuel pressure gauge reads 40 PSI key on not running. Should it start? What pressure should a good pump run at? Fuel pump was replaced 4 years ago.
Jul 27, 2022 at 3:10 AM
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SQM
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Hello,

With the key on and engine off the fuel pressure should be 48 - 55 PSI. So, you are not too far off.

This could be due to a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
Over time with heat and vibration the sensor can go bad and can send an error signal to the ECM. That can trigger the engine to shut down. After the shutdown you may or may not be able to start it back up. It will usually only crank.

Take a look at this helpful guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

I have attached the crank sensor replacement and relearning procedure below.

Let me know of any questions.
Thank you.
Jul 27, 2022 at 9:41 AM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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Is there a way to test the crank position sensor ?
Jul 28, 2022 at 4:48 AM
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SQM
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You can test the sensor with a multimeter.
Check for resistance across the pins. If it is zero or out of limit the sensor is bad.
Also, you can check the output voltage of the sensor while the engine is cranking. Probe the multimeter lead to the wire, It should have around 200 millivolt output.
Jul 28, 2022 at 1:54 PM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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If the crankshaft senor is bad will it through a code?
Aug 8, 2022 at 12:15 PM
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SQM
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It will many times but not always. Were you able to test the sensor with a multimeter?
Aug 8, 2022 at 2:40 PM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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I ordered a multimeter and code reader...code reader came , still waiting for multimeter.
Aug 9, 2022 at 1:14 AM
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SQM
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Let me know how it goes.
Aug 9, 2022 at 8:33 AM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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I went ahead and replaced the crank pos sensor and still no go.
Sep 20, 2022 at 8:49 AM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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Is there a relearn process for the sensor or something I'm not doing?
Sep 20, 2022 at 9:18 AM
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SQM
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There is a relearn process for the crank sensor. It will require a scan tool.
See below for the procedure.
Sep 20, 2022 at 3:44 PM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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Will this do the relearn process? Or do I need something else? I don't have a bunch of experience with the scanners and Tech stuff.
Sep 21, 2022 at 1:37 AM
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ARTHUR SWEENEY
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Oh, and does the car have to be running to do the relearn?
Sep 21, 2022 at 1:41 AM
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SQM
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Relearn does require the engine to be running. Take a look at the instructions on the previous post above.
Sep 21, 2022 at 3:31 PM
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