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BadLuck44
New User
May 13, 2013, 7:56 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1475 views)
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Hi I recently bought a 1996 Buick Lesabre, it has 85,000 miles on it with no rust and the engine looks clean and ran good when I went to look at it. I went home and thought about it for a day and thought that it would be a good car so I went and purchased the vehicle. Today, just over a week after I buy the car and drive it for a week without any problems it stalls and now it won't start. I didn't do any serious driving to it during that week just around town to the store and work which is 5 min away. When I was driving the car stopped running but the lights all stayed on and I put it into N and turned the key and it started then again stalled and did this a few more times and then wouldn't fire up for the rest of the evening. Thankfully it happened 500 yards from my home so it made it to my driveway. Sorry for the terrible post, anyone have any ideas what this could be? It had a full tank of gas in it so I assume the gas was sitting in the tank for quite some time. Could it just be bad gas? Or is it more serious like a fuel pump? Please help if you can, I have no car for the time being and not much money 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 13, 2013, 11:37 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1436 views)
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This by "Hammer Time" is locked up top and nicely summarizes the approach but I'll comment at the bottom too....
"All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
****************************************************
OK - I'd begin with testing for lack of fuel and build your own history on this car. Sounds nice - a good 'apple pie' no rust, low mile vehicle and probably needs to get some kinks out.
If you know the fuel sat for way too long it could be the problem but surprised it lasted the week if that alone. Put a fuel filter in it anyway and grease (lines and flare nuts at it) so it can be done easily later especially if you deal with rust where you are.
Dump the fuel from the filter into a clean glass jar to look at it and see if inlet when dumped is full of junk, smells or what. Have to guess as you are that fuel is in need of burning it out and start with fresh again or perhaps needs cleaning out but not so fast. Check all on the list anyway. If and I would anyway use some (don't go nuts with it) SeaFoam fuel solvent and some Chevron's 'Techron' and get that fuel burned out of the thing.
I know you just got it and $$ a pest right after but near all used needs something and start your own history on it,
T
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BadLuck44
New User
May 14, 2013, 7:50 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1400 views)
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Thank you! that was a great and very helpful post my man! Put in a new fuel pump today and it fired right up. I might have run it out of gas because there wasn't much in the tank but the gauge inside the vehicle said half tank.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2013, 1:02 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1392 views)
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Glad to hear of the success. Know that GM somewhat more than others really don't like running low on fuel as the fuel moderates the temp of the pump and they can burn out from being too low.
Gauge. They can and do stick in one spot. Some free up on their own and some don't. You should have a new sender with a new fuel pump and be done with that problem.
Other on this car to watch for: You probably scored a decent practical car so I suggest going thru the rubber items, hoses, belt*, vacuum hoses etc. Most things are straight forward on this thing.
* Belt may require undoing a motor mount, not the world but a tough do that alone to line up heavy engine/trans-axle to get that back in place so watch out if you don't have help to nudge it to refasten mount.
Good luck with it,
T
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BadLuck44
New User
May 15, 2013, 7:25 PM
Post #5 of 6
(1381 views)
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Thanks for the advice I'm going to save this page that's for sure. You are a wealth of knowledge sir. God bless.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2013, 7:58 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1367 views)
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Appreciate the compliment but site has several high end techs attending and all volunteering their knowledge. If you want to save something I do suggest moving it off site or print as things could be lost here, -- Tom
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