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Occasional no start

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT
  • 225,000 MILES
Since I got this van on the road after it had been sitting for many years. It has occasionally failed to start, but it usually start back up if I wait a while. This last time I had to wait a day. The outside temperatures were in the high 80's with humidity. The check engine light was on when I got it, but it has dealer only readout. OBD I.5 looks like recent ignition module and a coil and a couple wires. No problem with the way it runs. I was just going tear into it when it decided to start again. A lot of nuts and bolts with heavy rust. I was wondering if there is a map of grounds for this van 3800 series ll? I am also going to change the crank sensor when I can get one.
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Monday, May 30th, 2016 AT 7:09 PM

32 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a gauge when hot, might be a fuel pump problem auto parts rent gauge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
That is not a dealer only read the codes, just because you have the obd 1.5. I have a actron scan tool that reads obd1 and two codes and will read those as well. The codes will read out as obd2 codes with a letter followed by a four digit number.
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Apparently the auto parts stores dont have the right scanners I stopped and he said cant read it although I dont give those guys much credit for knowing anything other than pushing parts!
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Yeah most only have basic obd2 code readers.
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
So it improved alot with steady starting then I let it set a week and now it starts ok but runs very rough til it gets warm or under heavy load. Im thinkin maybe a temp sensor or mat sensor or tps or what am not able to read codes.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Do you ever have to hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor to start it?The actron scan tool I have reads both obd1 and obd2 codes so I think that's why it does the obd 1.5 as well.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Dont recall all I recall is waiting for a few minutes before trying to start it. But when it did start it ran ok this new issue is its not running good has no power/missing until thoroughly warm and then under heavy load it misfires sporadically
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 7:19 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Your really going to need to see what codes you have that's the first thing I would do at this point. Also I would be looking at live data like coolant temp sensor actual temp versus what the computer is seeing. Welcome to computer cars it's hard to get around looking at what codes you have and live data.
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Its getting worse! Starts/idles fine but runs terrible missing and dont seem to go completely away warmed under load!
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Sunday, June 4th, 2017 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Well it got worse as far as running but started ok and today it stalled at 65 on highway! Based on symptoms it sounds like crank sensor! After stall it started a few times quit immediately. Had it towed tried again no start!
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Sunday, July 9th, 2017 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So have we checked for codes yet?Also it doesn't start or try to start just cranks and doesn't start?If so what are we missing fuel pressure spark etc?
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Sunday, July 9th, 2017 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Cant check codes but has fuel port squirt but no spark. I bought the sensor but cant get crank bolt out! Saw on net about starter trick tried wedged wrench and I think it stripped corners! Dont have a short socket that fits AKA cant find 1! Gonna get module tested just for fun before I replace sensor gotta make a led test light so I can check for signals/juice. Gonna hit pawn to try and get a socket. I could wreck the bolt head flange if all else fails!
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Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Taking a break from heat of day. Got a nice snp 24mm impact socket at pawn found my puller had IGNIT module tested twice passed both times. Looks like I also have a cam sensor? But I didnt think that would kill spark I bad?
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
It has both cam and crank sensors so you have the 16 pin obd2 connector don't you?You really need to scan that thing for codes would be a lot better then just guessing and hoping your right.
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Its OBD 1.5 I cant afford to have it scanned! I'm gonna do simple cam sensor test with multimeter by turn crank by hand I sure HOPE the magnet holder has not BROKEN! If it passes only thing left is CKP or wiring issue?
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Too hot today but I did get bolt loose! Craftsman ratchet and snap on socket wedged it against control arm hit starter. LOOSE! I know why they tighten it so much once loose it fingers OUT! Why not use thread locker and keep torque down to reasonable levels? PROFIT MARGINS!
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You have the sensors wiring coil computer as possibiltys. Now you have to make sure you get the crankshaft balancer tight enough.
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Forgot to mention I used WD and tapped bolt had with hammer before removal per suggestion on another similar topic. And thanks GM for putting lettering code on BOTTOM side of module connector! Intentional or just corporate stupidity? And although I found dielectric grease on underside of module I noticed it does NOT make hard/flush contact with plate surface its mounted on? Seems strange?
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Friday, July 14th, 2017 AT 2:30 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Yeah iam not sure why any company does anything they way they do things. You just have to learn to embrace it.
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Friday, July 14th, 2017 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
EMBRACE THE BOMB! EMBRACE the environment destruction! EMBRACE the culture wars! Turning over crank by hand is not gonna get it for me!It did start and stall right away a couple times after initial fail? Maybe something to do with computer taking over after 400 rpm is reached? Does it need cam sensor to start or just during running? I'm sure it needs crank sensor in order to start?
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Friday, July 14th, 2017 AT 6:09 PM

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