no start?

2001 BUICK LESABRE
105,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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CRAIG LOCKWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I recently drove my car from Oshkosh, WI to Winona, MN, which is about a 3.5-hour drive. Stopped to get fuel and potty stop. Came back out car wouldn't start. I turn the key to the on position and all the bells and whistles come up on the dash. When I turn the key to the start everything goes dark, and the car won't start. There is no clicking at all. In the past year I've had a problem starting the car. If I didn't lock the steering wheel when I shut the car off and lock the doors. When I came back out the car wouldn't start. Same thing happens. In the past I would lock the steering wheel and get out of the car and lock the doors, wait 12 minutes. Unlock the car and the vehicle starts. If I waited 10 minutes or less the vehicle wouldn't start. When the car wouldn't start in Winona, MN a tow truck was called, jump start didn't work, car was towed to a garage. After the car sat for 2.5 hours. The mechanic tried to start the car and it started. I picked the car back up. Drove the car back to Oshkosh, WI. Never shut the car off even when stopping. Parked the car after a 4-hour drive. Shut the engine off. I waited a minute, and the car wouldn't restart. I waited 4 hours and the car started. Any ideas?
Jul 8, 2023 at 7:04 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
What you described sounds like a faulty crankshaft position sensor. When the sensor begins to fail, oftentimes it is adversely affected by heat. Once it gets hot, the internal wiring expands and causes a loss of spark to the plugs. Once it has a chance to cool, the engine will start again.

What I suggest is when it won't start, check to see if there is spark at the plugs.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Also, do me a favor and look at this link. It explains symptoms related to a failing crankshaft position sensor. Let me know if it mirrors what you have experienced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know.

Joe
Jul 8, 2023 at 4:09 PM
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