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1988 Pontiac Sunbird Starting problem

Tiny
MARRINAELBS
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
My car will crank but won't turn over unless I use starter fluid. I've already replaced the fuel pump. It still has the same problem.
Monday, March 24th, 2014 AT 7:07 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
How many miles are on the engine? Have you checked spark at the plugs to make sure you are getting a good hot blue snapping spark? Have you checked to see if the fuel pressure is within the manufacturer's specs? Even though you have a new pump, if the regulator is bad, pressure could be too low.

Let me know.
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Monday, March 24th, 2014 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
MARRINAELBS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So my car has 80k miles and the plugs seem to be fine I have yet to check my fuel pressure regulator though. Although I had a mechanic check it a few months ago and he said it was fine but who knows. Any other suggestions?
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Monday, March 24th, 2014 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
I have to be honest. What you described sounds like what I call a lazy fuel pump. It will produce enough fuel pressure to run the engine once it starts, but doesn't have the pressure to start it. This could also be the result of a pressure regulator. You need to check both when the engine is cold and won't start without starting fluid.
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Tuesday, March 25th, 2014 AT 5:05 AM

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