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Oldsmowbill
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Campbellsville, Ky
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:59 pm Post subject: Oldsmobile turns over but won't start |
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Just replaced the plug wires on my 1991 Olds Ciera awhile back and it fixed the miss in the engine. (Another thread)
New problem:
Just last night, I drove the car to band rehearsal with no problems. Got ready to leave and she won't fire.
It never was hard to start before, it has gas in it, and my friends did confirm that the fuel pump is operating by listening for it as I cranked the engine. (Fuel pump is in the tank right?)
I also checked all the wires to assure proper connection. To the best of my knowledge, the battery is good and never got weak as I tried many long, starting attempts.
It turns over like it is supposed to but will not start and will not attempt to. Just sounds like the engine is cranking without any fire. This sound is consistent.
To make it as simple as possible, what are some good troubleshooting starting points?
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Hans
Joined: 28 Aug 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:23 am Post subject: |
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Bad fuel pressure regulator or pump most likely. Probably not the filter since you claim the car was running good prior.
It could be an ignition issue like bad coils or bad plugs/wires but usually that will cause the engine to run real bad. |
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Brando
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 3069
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:39 am Post subject: |
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This just happened? Was it a cold day? Did you have your battery checked out? It's possible that there isn't enough amperage to start the car but just enough to crank it. Does it crank slowly or just like normal?
Try putting your battery on the charger, make sure it gets fully charged (if it can hold a full charge) and put it in and see what happens...worth a try anyways.
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Brando |
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Oldsmowbill
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Campbellsville, Ky
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:00 am Post subject: |
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Cranks normally and won't get slower. High beams are nice and bright.
And yes, it did just happen all of the sudden.
Always started up fine for the last seven years and then tonight, it just turns over. |
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Brando
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 3069
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:04 am Post subject: |
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Could be the fuel pump relay...but you say you actually heard the pump running in the tank?
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Brando |
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88Ciera_SC
Joined: 10 Jun 2003
Posts: 199
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:56 am Post subject: |
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stupid answer but it is either a spark or fuel problem..
thats about all i know for sure..
well maybe not for sure..lol
check for a spark |
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Oldsmowbill
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Campbellsville, Ky
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:11 am Post subject: |
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Quote: Could be the fuel pump relay...but you say you actually heard the pump running in the tank?
I can't hear that good at all but my friends say that they heard it.
I'll check for spark first and then, I think I'll take the fuel line off on the engine side of the fuel filter and crank on it to make 100% sure that it is pumping fuel.
Any thing else it could be if I am getting spark and getting fuel? |
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Brando
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 3069
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:53 am Post subject: |
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Oldsmowbill wrote: Quote: Could be the fuel pump relay...but you say you actually heard the pump running in the tank? I think I'll take the fuel line off on the engine side of the fuel filter and crank on it to make 100% sure that it is pumping fuel.
Make sure you pull the fuel pump fuse out and crank the car for a while to alleviate any pressure that may possibly still be in the system.
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Brando |
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Hans
Joined: 28 Aug 2003
Posts: 156
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Oldsmowbill wrote: Quote: Could be the fuel pump relay...but you say you actually heard the pump running in the tank?
I can't hear that good at all but my friends say that they heard it.
I'll check for spark first and then, I think I'll take the fuel line off on the engine side of the fuel filter and crank on it to make 100% sure that it is pumping fuel.
Any thing else it could be if I am getting spark and getting fuel?
dont do that. replace the fpr first it is cheap. just because there is a noise does not mean it is working always.
is this a 3.1? |
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Brando
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 3069
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Hans wrote: Oldsmowbill wrote: Quote: Could be the fuel pump relay...but you say you actually heard the pump running in the tank?
I can't hear that good at all but my friends say that they heard it.
I'll check for spark first and then, I think I'll take the fuel line off on the engine side of the fuel filter and crank on it to make 100% sure that it is pumping fuel.
Any thing else it could be if I am getting spark and getting fuel?
dont do that. replace the fpr first it is cheap. just because there is a noise does not mean it is working always.
is this a 3.1?
I believe I remember from his first topic that he has a 3300, the 3.1 wasn't available on the Cutlass Ciera in 91.
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Brando |
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88 Coupe
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 2981
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Oldsmowbill, hello all,
Quote: ............. I'll take the fuel line off .............. and crank on it to make 100% sure that it is pumping fuel .............
Fuel injection pump must be checked with a pressure gauge.
From your description, the problem is lack of spark.
Regards, Norm |
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Oldsmowbill
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Campbellsville, Ky
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:38 am Post subject: |
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Quote: dont do that. replace the fpr first it is cheap. just because there is a noise does not mean it is working always.
is this a 3.1?
It is a 3.3. What is, and where is the Fuel Pump Relay?
Quote: Fuel injection pump must be checked with a pressure gauge.
From your description, the problem is lack of spark.
Regards, Norm
So, there is no good way to check it without a gauge? |
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Brando
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 3069
Location: Michigan, USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:19 am Post subject: |
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The Fuel Pump Relay is located in the RH (Driver's side) front of engine compartment, on relay bracket.
Diagram
THIS is a relay.
:thumbup:
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Brando |
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88 Coupe
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 2981
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:32 am Post subject: |
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HiOldsmowbill, all,
Quote: ................ So, there is no good way to check it without a gauge?
Pumps for carbs can be checked by measuring flow, but injector pumps flow the same, but at much higher pressures.
I don't know exact numbers, but if your injection system needs 40# or more, and your pump only puts out 20#, how would you know without a gauge?
Did you check the spark yet?
Regards, Norm |
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Oldsmowbill
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Campbellsville, Ky
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| Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Ok guys, first thing I did when I got back to the Olds was that I removed one spark plug, connected its wire back to it, laid the side of the plug against chassis ground, had an assist crank on the engine and I observed ZERO spark.
Checked coil fuse in the glove compartment and all was good.
I am assuming that I need to replace the coil pack? |
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