1997 Buick Century car will not start but once a day

Tiny
CARMENNL
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  • 1997 BUICK CENTURY
1997 Buick Century 6 cyl 170000 miles

after driving the car wheather in the morning or at night the car will only start once for that day I drove it today and it will not start again it just isnt getting I gather gas. But I have had a new fuel pump put in twice. If I drive the car and park it I try to start it several hours later not turning over. Please help thank you
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 AT 10:37 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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When you say the vehicle (won't turn over) that means it won't crank. If the starter won't crank the engine, you got a problem with the starter circuit.

If the vehicle cranks good, but won't start, that is another issue. If it cranks good, but won't start, have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs. If have spark everywhere, you might try spraying a little carb cleaner or something in the throttle-body, I usuall take the air-duct loose from the throttle-body, open the throttle valve, spray a little in there, see if the engine will try to start, if it does, sounds like a fuel issue. Whether that is caused by no injector pulse or low fuel pressure, whatever.

Are there any troublecodes? Some of the national brand autostores will check codes for free. I guess if you kill it at the store, you may not get it started again. Maybe you'll get lucky?
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Monday, June 23rd, 2008 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
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Also check ALL the fuel injectors for a shorted injector, I just got done fighting with one with two bad injectors that had me pulling my hair out. I believe the correct resistance is about 3 ohms. Hope this helps.
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Monday, June 23rd, 2008 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
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I took it to a shop today drove it there and it stayed there. They checked the spark plugs and I got spark. They hear fuel in the line. But he did a pressure test on the gas line and it seems to have a pressure dont hold it drops down. Cant recall the term used at this time. Sprayed B-12 the car turned over but will not hold stops shuts down. One code has read. Fuel too rich. They feel its the fuel pump again after all I have had 2 installed the latest in january 2008. So im told to take it back to the dealer since it should have a warrenty. So tomorrow I will do this again
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Monday, June 23rd, 2008 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
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I had two bad fuel pumps too, one would run but would not make pressure. Quality control at it's finest!
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
JDL
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If the (fuel too rich) code is current, it may not be the pump? You might have a ruptured diaphram in the pressure regulator, that might allow gas to be sucked or drained into the intake. If you pull off the vacuum line, does gas run out?
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
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Not sure what you mean vacuum line. He slipped on a tube to check the pressure. The gas didnt run out the tube. When he removed the tube well it was tight and gas seeped out then but did not leak when the hose was off completely. I went to get my car today and it started right up but when I drove it shut the car off. It didnt start up. So if its the pump im good if something else I might be out of money. But I hope its the pump. Where is all this other stuff. Diaphram located. Pressure regulator the regulator I do believe was tested and it held pressure. It says the coolant was too rich. Which leads to the fuel. Man its killin me.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 8:23 PM

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