Car wont start!Help please

Tiny
DYSFUN492
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 96 Oldsmobile aurora 4.0 and it will not start. I started the car and it started right up no prob and pulled it in the garage. I then jacked up the front end of the car both tires off the ground and changed the oil, antifreeze, and front spark plugs gaped at.050 thousandths. I started the car while still on the jack stands and it started right up then started running rough and died. I thought nothing of it and went to start changing the front left break pads and when I was done I tried starting it just cause it was bothering me and it wouldn't start. So I put the car down off the stands checked all my fluids and they where at correct levels but car still wouldn't start. Oh I also put 3 quarters of a can of sea-foam in the gas tank that only had 1 quarter of a tank of gas in it, and put half a can of sea-foam in the oil crank case. This was earlier before I tried starting it. My wife told me she put regular unleaded gas in it and it is suposed to have premium only of a 91+ octane minimum. So autozone told me to put half a bottle of 108+ octane in it that it would be fine even no I had all ready put 3 quarters of a can of sea-foam in it as well. So I did and still nothing. I have checked the fuel pump relay and it is good and working, the fuel pump was replaced 2 months ago, and I just replaced the fuel filter tonight because when I tapped on the fuel filter while my wife turned the key it started up and ran for about 30 seconds and then died and would not start again. I sprayed ether in the air intake and it started then died after 2 seconds. I had my wife turn the key while I depressed the fuel pressure relief valve on the rail and it doesn't seem to be getting any fuel pressure all the time. It was after I replaced the fuel filter but then shortly after stopped. I have seen that some of these same models have a fuel cutoff/inertia switch but I can not seem to find one. I have looked in the trunk, and under the driver and passenger dash and glove box. If it does have one I don't know where it is. I have my battery on the charger now I drained it trying to start it so much. I have EXPLAINED as much as I can. PLEASE HELP
Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 4:58 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Sounds like fuel pump is problem. Was it done by dealer?
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
DYSFUN492
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No it was done at home. I checked the connection and it is solid.
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
DYSFUN492
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
My mistake. I just bought the car a month ago private party but I found the mechanics receipt. It was done at a mechanic shop 2 months ago.
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I have seen a lot o people who have had pumps go bad by merely running out of gas. They put gas in but car wont start. End up putting in new pump. Also seen lots of after market pump failures usually under a yr after replacement. So if your pump is getting power but not running/running right that would be my guess.
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
DYSFUN492
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for ur help im just gonna keep messin with it and hope I get it run. Will keep u posted
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 7:34 PM
Tiny
AURORABOREALIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Our Aurora (1995) also won't start the first time you turn the ignition on, maybe not even the 2nd, or 3rd. Today it took at least a dozen attempts, and it finally started. It has taken a while to realize it is something to do with the electrical system. We have had triple AAA start the car for us a few times; we have had a variety of mechanics service the car - because the dealer could not diagnose the problem, just let it run with the "SERVICE REQUIRED" lit up on the panel. Those servicing the car have tested and replaced the battery (expensive), replaced the alternator (more expensive), and replaced the started switch, all to no avail. We now think all the problems the vehicle has are related to whatever electrical/computer glitch is in the vehicle - it is not mechanical. Now the speedmoter needle bounces furiously from 0 to 150, messages keep poppong up on the message panel: "PASSKEY SYSTEM FAULT", ERROR CODE "32", bells ring, lights flash, and it goes on. We think that the times we or AAA jump-started the car, if we'd just turned the key in the ignition a few more times, it probably would have started anyways. Other than 'just keep turning the key and pausing between attempts', any suggestions would be most appreciated
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 11:45 PM
Tiny
DAZEDREAMR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Ok my aurora is having same issue but was caused by different situation. My 95 aurora got stuck in the mud on an inclined driveway, (there was no way to turn around)front was raised. I gave it gas to get it unstuck and backed it on out to leave. It drove sluggish but still got gas. Until we started up a hill that raised the front end up high again. We started losing pressure and then it stopped altogether. This was at night and it was pitch black! Every time we tried to re-start it would not get gas. We finally had to back it down to a flat spot, have a friend tow it with their truck. They tried tapping the fuel filter, adding 108 octane, checked the jet, regulator still wouldn't start. Finally had it towed and here it sits 4 months later and still won't start! I had several car savvy people troubleshoot, even the tow-truck driver, my brother helped over the phone but I wouldn't just let any person get in deep, I love the aurora! It had bout half tank of premium grade fuel when this occurred, basically still does. I've never run out of gas and don't think I've ever run it low enough to cause a issue. I also NEVER had a problem with this car before & it was used in 2006 & when I bought it had a great warranty history. The nearest dealership cost a fortune! Local tow company is outrageous (both are only 10 mins from each other!). I could shop around for a local mechanic BUT do I really want a backyard mechanic fooling around with an aurora? No offense but its a high-tech ride in my opinion & most local mechanics and regular folks around my area have no idea what the auroras can do! Sorry so long. Please help! Any ideas?
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Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 AT 1:46 AM

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