Engine wont start

1987 BUICK RIVIERA
145,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MY01Z28
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my 1987 cutlass ciera wont start up. It makes a higher pitched noise when it turns over and i can smell fuel, but it wont turn over.I don't know if i am getting any spark. what are some options, or how can i read a engine code for this?
Dec 27, 2010 at 4:47 PM
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JDL
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I'm not sure about the high-pitched sound? Visibly check for spark at the plugs, engine cranking. You can use a known good spark plug or spark tester to check for spark. You pull a spark plug wire from plug, stick tester in boot, ground metal part of tester to metal part of engine, have helper crank it, while you watch for spark.

To check for mil codes, you place jumper wire between terminals A & B of the datalink connector, lower edge of dash. You turn the key just till the dash lites come on, no further, no crank. Then the mil starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.
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Dec 27, 2010 at 5:13 PM
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MY01Z28
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ok thank, you I have checked the code and it's 12. I went to autozone and they said it was " No Tack signal to ecm" what could this code mean in ways of fixing the car.
Dec 30, 2010 at 10:49 PM
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JDL
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It means your in diagnostic mode, key on, there is no rpm/tach signal. Were there any other codes besides code 12? Did you visually check for spark at the plugs?
Dec 31, 2010 at 4:21 PM
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MY01Z28
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yes it has spark, fuel and compression but all the engine does is role over and wont start kind of out of options and am going to take it to a shop.
Jan 1, 2011 at 5:48 PM
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JDL
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Is there an injector pulse?
Jan 1, 2011 at 7:39 PM
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MY01Z28
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Dont know how to test that. I did purge the fuel valve on the fuel rail and it does squirt out, so i fugured that ment it is getting fuel. going to check again for codes to see if anything else flashes besides a one then a two.
Jan 2, 2011 at 9:58 PM
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JDL
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You can check for injector pulse with a noid lite. The autostore should have them?
Jan 3, 2011 at 3:46 PM
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