1986 Buick Century WONT START

CAPTAINMORGAN661

MEMBER
1986 BUICK CENTURY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

CAR RAN REALLY GOOD BUT OCCATIONALLY WOULD STALL AND HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I HAVE 34PSI FUEL PRESSURE AT MANIFOLD. I DON'T HAVE A DECSENT WAY TO CHECK FOR SPARK. I SQUIRTED STARTER FLUID INTO AIR INTAKE AND GOT NOTHING. BATTERY IS UP AND IT CRANKS JUST FINE. I AM ASSUMING IT'S A SENSOR, BUT DON'T HAVE DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. THE ENGINE IS 3.8L SEQUENTIAL PORT INJECTION W/TYPE II IGNITION.

Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 2:31 PM

2 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Try getting one of these spark testers to check for spark
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-In-line-ignition-spark-tester/_/N-268s?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=spark+tester&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=900800_0_0_
Let me know if you have spark.

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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 2:57 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Any applicable mil codes? To check for spark, you can use a known good spark plug or spark tester, in a bind you can use a phillips screwdriver with well insulated handle. Take a plug wire wire loose, use tester in boot, ground metal part of tester to metal part of engine cranking, watch for spark. If you use a phillips, you hold the shank close to engine ground, watch for spark. Secondary voltage will bite, that is your responsibility.

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Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 2:57 PM