No Start

1988 BUICK CENTURY
180,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL
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PATRICK FLOHE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Engine was running rough, then after stopping / shut-down, it was fine. After another stop, it ran very poorly.
Now it will not start at all.
Got good strong spark at each plug, but will only occasionally barely fire while cranking.
I noticed the electric fan kept coming in when cranking, so changed the coolant sensor and it no longer does that. still will not start.
Changed MAP & MAT sensors, and still nothing.

I hate to go down the path of changing parts like ICM and Coil Pack, ECM....I have good strong spark.
Fuel pump sounds good and strong, and is less than two years old. A/C Delco / Delphi unit.
As it is an older car and 2.5, it has no pressure sensing port for fuel pressure.

Any thoughts?
Mar 20, 2017 at 3:39 PM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
if it has a distributor check that the reluctor used to crack on these so you would get occasional spark the reluctor is the wheel looking thing inside dist.see pics to diagnose
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Mar 20, 2017 at 11:29 PM
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PATRICK FLOHE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
No distributer.
It's a coil pack set-up, and it sparks very strongly.

Do you think it's a fuel pressure regulator?
According to the manual, it's on the TBI unit.
****I found the Pressure Regulator in the manual, and it's nothing but a diaphragm, spring, spring seat, and cover....****
The guy at O'Reilly, said he's never had to sell one.
Mar 21, 2017 at 4:15 AM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
it is part of the tbi unit should look like a round thing if your injector it think it only has one beena long time, it should be spraying if no signal from ignition then it won't work. check fuel pressure should be 9-11 psi and you'll more than likely need an adapter for this. auto parts rent it.
Mar 21, 2017 at 5:12 AM
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