Starts, but stall immediately.

Tiny
BRAETZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 20,000 MILES
Car Will start while turning it over, but dies immediately. Every now and then you get lucky, and it will stall, and when you give it gas. Then once it ran great for 2-3 minutes, revved great, idled great, but that didn't last long.

I have replaced the following:
Fuel pump, filter, Crank Sensor, Bought a used computer at a local parts yard. I was told injectors were replaced approximately 2 years ago.

I know it is getting fuel to the rail, because when I took the lines off, fuel came out. I did notice the MAP Sensor vacuum line was broke. Shouldn't it still run better than it is now, even with that small leak?
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 4:42 AM

59 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It sounds like you have a vacuum leak and clean out the idle air control valve and EGR valve and test the TPS sensor-also check the fuel pressure with a gauge if its within specs.

Here is a guide to help you

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 4:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
That is a good recommendation. The manifold absolute pressure sensor can cause the engine to die out. What raz mentioned will cover all the bases.

Let us know what you find.
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 4:59 AM
Tiny
BRAETZ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So, I have fixed the vacuum leak on the MAP sensor, cleaned Idle Air Control Valve, Cleaned Throttle Positioning Sensor. The Car now runs seemingly fine when cold, but when it warms up, after running approximately 5-10 minutes, it shuts off. Then it starts and dies immediately. Will try to run while spraying starting fluid. I have read on other sites that this is often a bad fuel injector, causing the others to fail during "open loop". If this is the case, how do I test an injector? Or, do you think it may be something else? Thanks. I was to the point of taking it to the scrapyard, as I only paid 250.00 for the car. But if this might be the problem, its a fairly easy fix.
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Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 5:03 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
When this happens, have you checked fuel pump pressure?
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Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 5:05 AM
Tiny
BRAETZ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have no fuel pressure gauge, but what I have done is pushed in on the pressure tester, on the fuel rail and fuel sprays out with what seems to be plenty enough pressure.
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Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
You will need to do a fuel pump pressure test to be sure, here is a guide that will help you and you can get the pressure gauge from the parts store for free.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Please run this test and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
LESZACH2011
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 214,000 MILES
I have replaced the ignition module, map sensor, tps, idle air control valve, crank sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter and it still wont start. Why?
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LESZACH2011
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It should have said. I have replaced the ignition module, map sensor, idle air control valve, tps, crank sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter. Still wont start. Any suggestions?
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Of course, the old addage, it is either fuel management, ignition managment or air delivery.

An overlooked issue is cylinder compression. It can be lost when timing chain/belts wear out and timing gets so far out it causes detonation and other internal damage issues. Test compression. The rule of thumb is the compression should be no lower than 100 PSI and the highest compression cylinder and the lowest compression cylider should be within 74% of each other.

Check fuel pressure. Even though you have a new pump, the pressure reulator could be bad.

Those are the most evident and easy, but it looks like you have done so much, I have a wlk through tutorial that helps rule out issues. Since this is process of elimination, I think reading through thiswill help to shorten the list of possibilites.

Here is the link to paste into your brawser;

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Look it through and tell me if it helps or is it is all things you have gone through.
I will get back with you ASAP when you respond.
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD LEGGETT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I just changed my timing chain and my car wont start. Turns over but acts like its not firing. What to do?
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you didn't have that problem before you replaced the chain-you need to verify the valve timing could be 180deg out-even if you're getting fuel and spark
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILL47CC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,000 MILES
Engine problem
1991 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200, 00 miles

Tried to crank, would turn over but would not start. I looked under hood and smelled gas, so I removed the rubber boot in between the air filter and fuel injection housing area where the throttle flap opens and closes. Rubber boot had gas sitting in it. Tried to crank again and gas would flow back towards the air filter. I pulled off a plug wire and was not getting any fire. I used a screwdriver to see if I was getting a spark, got nothing. The last few weeks it had a slight stall in it when I would take off from a stop but it would clear up once I got going. Any help would be welcomed Bill, Thanks P.S. Engine is a 3.1
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Fuel pressure regulator is blown and it is pumping fuel into the intake via the vacuum line. Replace the reg and let the gas dry up and it will run again
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILL47CC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks, I will get one and put on. I will let you know how it worked.
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILL47CC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Have another question, I have removed all bolts and clips that hold the 6 electrical hook ups. The regulator is in between two long bars, which they are sitting on these 6 plastic male ends which go up under the bottom of them. Do the long bars just pop off of those 6 male plastic ends. Everything is lose is except for that. THANKS, BILL
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Those 6 male ends are the injectors. Use a small screwdriver to pop them up out of the intake manifold. Might not be a bad idea to replace all of the injector o'rings while it is apart (12, upper and lower), prevent possible fuel and or vacuum leaks. When reassembling injectors into intake, use a little lube like WD-40 to help them go into the manifold
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILL47CC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Got everything hooked back up, and it cranked right up. I also replaced the plugs in the back while I had everything off. They were still tough to get out, and I am not sure if they had ever been taken out from the way they looked and were gaped open. Runs better than it ever has. I bought it used a couple of yrs ago. I really thank you for all your help. Thanks again, Bill
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
My pleasure
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CORENA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My call will trun over but not strat I have a 1991 chevy lumina 4 door 3.1 enegin
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMARTENS1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 190000 miles

Hi, I've read through all your questions and answers. I found one that may be close. I was driving my car and it all of the sudden just quit. It had done this a couple of times but we were always able to get it started again. This time it won't start at all. It will turn over but won't start.I changed the fuel filter, thinking it might be a clog, but that wasn't it. A friend of mine suggested it might be the timing chain. But before I go through all that trouble I would like to know what else to check out. Thank you.
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Monday, February 27th, 2017 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)

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