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1991 Other Oldsmobile Models CAR not starting

Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 OLDSMOBILE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Well I just changed my fuel pump, but now the car wont start, when starting it sounds as if it’s not getting fuel or spark. I pressed the pressure nozzle on the fuel rail and the fuel squirts out. So I know the pump is working, which must mean I’m not getting spark. I put a screw driver in the plug, held it ¼ inch from the exhaust manifold, started the car and got no arch. So I must not be getting any spark. Do you know where I would go from here or how I would diagnosis the spark issue?

Don't know if this has anything to do with it, but The car has been raised 35 degrees for 5mo.
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 3:34 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Use a DVOM, see if you have power at the coil, if yes, but no spark, check your Ignition module, Which engine is this? Check coil as well. Come back with engine and model of the car and I can look into specific tests.
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 5:41 AM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the response, it's a 1991 olds 98 with the 3.8 liter engin. What is a DVOM?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 2:49 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the response, it's a 1991 olds 98 with the 3.8 liter engin. What is a DVOM?[/Quote:ab1b285035]

Oh also, when facing the engine, the 3 places where the spark plug wires plug into on the left had white crude on them, as well as in the wires. But the three on the right had none. Does this mean anything?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
A common problem is the coil pack, inspect the towers you may find rust or corosion. When was the last complete tune up? Wires plugs filters?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
It has been over a year, but I didn't replace the wires only the spark plugs and the air filter. Oh and one spark plug I couldn't remove. But what about the test I should do?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Spark plugs are not optional! Change ALL and ALL wires and the coil too then let me know what happens. If you don't know what a DVOM is what testing can we do?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I learn very fast, I just changed a fuel pump(pump in the tank) with 12 gallons of gas in the tank. That was the first time I ever did anything with the fuel system. Okay, I just learned you use the V and Comm recepticles on a DMM tester. Can you tell me what to test and how to do it?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
What about the ECM should have change that TOO?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Did you get my last two post?
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Just logged on, I have your posts. Have you changed all tune up parts yet?
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I plan on doing it wend. So I will contact you then.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
On 3.3 engines, the coils are paired, 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6, so test all of em for spark. If any pairs fail, move the coil to another pair, if the no spark moves with the coil, replace the coil, if the no spark stays in the same place, replace the ignition module. A DVOM is a digital volt ohm meter, ohmthe coil wires, any with more than 30,000 ohms should be replaced, the white on your front wire are a sign of arcing, so check em. A single cylinder misfire test as above then if the no fire stays in the same cylinder, replace the wire. If it follows the coil, change coil.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
DEKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
What about on the 3.8 engine?
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
3.8 has a single coil for all anyway, so try the coil, check for power at the terminal, and check wires.
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 AT 12:24 PM

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