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1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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KTBaby1982
New User
Jul 16, 2011, 7:42 PM
Post #1 of 8
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1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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I have a 1986 Buick Century. I wanna say it's a V6 and has almost 88,000 miles on it. Yesterday I was driving with my fiance and daughter and all of a sudden, the car shut off and everything seemed to lock-up. I had to slam my foot as hard as I could on the brake to stop it. I threw on my hazards and honestly.... sat there dumbfounded for a minute, like "is this REALLY happening???" So I try to start it.....nothing. It sounds like it wants to start, it turns over, so I know its not the starter. Anyways, I put it in neutral....and my fiance pushed it a little and then the steering wheel locked.....somehow, by the grace of God or whoever, I was able to coast into a parking lot. We have done everything, fluids are fine, there's water in the whatever its called (can ya tell im a girl? lol) we dripped gas in the carburetor, & tried starting fluid spray....NOTHING. I'm thinking all it may be is that it needs a tune-up, but I cant afford one at a shop. I can buy the parts needed, & I already have a list of all parts needed....Ironically, we were on the way to buy the parts, when this happened!
This is the only vehicle we have at the time and I have GOT TO figure out what is wrong with it ASAP. I decided, I may as well try a forum....hopefully y'all can help me. Thanks for any assistance you can give!
-KT
(This post was edited by KTBaby1982 on Jul 16, 2011, 8:06 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2011, 9:22 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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2.8L or 3.8L?
If you tried priming it with fuel and it wouldn't start that leaves two things for you to check. One is the ignition system and the other is engine mechanical.
Ignition system check would be first in order. Did you check for spark using a spark tester?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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KTBaby1982
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Jul 18, 2011, 4:02 PM
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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Still not starting. Checked everything. Fuel filer, distributor was replaced, coils are fine. I swear this car is a mystery! I cant be without a car, this is VERY VERY bad. We are having people help us, but everything we try doesn't work. I am trying so hard to stay sane, but im about to lose my mind messing with this car!! Any ideas/suggestions are welcome!
Thank you
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 18, 2011, 4:04 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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Take a deep breath and try to relax. Now grab a beer. Everything is going to be all right.
Do you have spark?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 18, 2011, 4:05 PM)
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KTBaby1982
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Jul 18, 2011, 5:03 PM
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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LOL if i drank....that'd be a great solution. But I gave up all substances a year ago almost.......
What do you mean when you ask that? Do I need to pull a spark plug out? I'm kinda confused
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KTBaby1982
New User
Jul 18, 2011, 5:10 PM
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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Oh and its V6, 2.8L
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 18, 2011, 5:20 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: 1986 Buick Century NEED HELP!!
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Without a spark jumping the gap of the spark plugs, the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders doesn't ignite, hence the engine won't run.
So, you need to check for the presence of spark. To see if the ignition system is even doing anything.
Some people will pull a plug wire and shove a screw driver in the spark plug wire boot. Then hold it close to something metal on the engine (around .060 inch) and have someone crank the engine. You should see a spark jump from the screw driver shank to the metal on the engine. Of course that way can get you electrocuted. It don't feel to good and doing that on a running engine could make your reflexes throw your hand into the engine fan.
You can also buy a little spark tester that doesn't require you to hold anything. You just have someone crank the engine and you look to see if a spark jumps across the gap in the tool.
If you don't have spark or the spark is weak (yellow looking), you need to trouble the ignition system to see why that is occurring.
Don't ever unplug a spark plug wire on a running engine (unless you are a daredevil) and/or hold the wire in a way so the spark has nothing to jump to. That can overload the coil and cause it to fail.
Once you figure out if you have a spark or not, we can help you to the next step.
This a pic of a typical spark tester. If you notice, they are using a jumper cable that is probably grounded to the battery on the other end, to give the spark something to jump to.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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