Car won't start?

Tiny
PCDJ64
  • MEMBER
  • 127 POSTS
I can get a PCM from another 97 lesabre that has 96,000 miles on it, just wondering if there is a chip behind that plate or if it will start if I just put another PCM in.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Pcm's have to be programmed to the vehicle by vin number
you can change it but it will have to be reprogrammed.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PCDJ64
  • MEMBER
  • 127 POSTS
I'll have to deal with it not starting right away after it has warmed up, the dealer near me for buick already said they can not do anything because the car is too old.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You can always try another pcm it might work but it might be worse
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JODIHART
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,200 MILES
My car won't start first thing in the morning or on a wet day. I have replaced the relay and the fuel filter. Once the air warms up and dries out the car it will start with no problems. When it won't start you do not hear the fuel pump. Every other time you hear the pump with no problem. One day while raining I jumped the relay area with a paper clip at the fuel pump and power connections. It started up, but I haven't been able to get it do again when it won't start. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, it is getting frustrating. I have taken it to the garage they can't figure it out either.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JODIHART
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I forgot to mention that it has all new spark plugs and wires. It also cranks over but it seems like when there is moisture in the air the fuel pump will not come on.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JODIHART
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It seems as though my problem is getting worse. It now has a new battery and the other day it wouldn't start, 15 minutes later it did. Went about 12 miles shut the car off for 1 hour. It didn't want to start and finally it did. Please any assistance is greatly appreciated. 3 mechanics later and still no luck.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CGIBSONCLEVELAND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My 97 buick quit running so I changed the coil packs the car is turning over but wont start could the plugs and wires stop it from turning over
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Is it fuel or spark !
Check if you have spark at the coil
if so and fuel ok
check or replace plugs
also if no spark check and or replace crank sensor
let me know
check fuel and spark
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE 1958
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
I have 2997 lesabre and it has been sitting for 2 months I charged up the battery and all it does is crank but wont start. It started just fine 2 months ago it is getting gas because I can smell it. Even tried to jump it but it does the same thing
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Does it have spark?Is it flooded?Have you tried holding your gas pedal all the way to the floor while cranking to start it?In order to make sure you have enough fuel pressure to start and run you will have to hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what the actual fuel pressure is.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSIEDEWITTE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 200 MILES
It goes like it wants to start but even if I give it gas it doesn't do anything. There is gas in the car so its not out of gas.

Had the fuel pump and assembly changed a couple months ago. Has been working fine. Went out, came back home went to go out again n car didn't start like it ran out of gas. But gas in there.

So went n got gas n put it in. Didn't help. Thought it might be flooded cause the times we tried to start it so let it sit for a little. And same thing. Now battery is dead too. Please help
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem,Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUBWAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. IGNATION MODULE REPLACED. COILS. STILL ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER, BUT HAVE TO WAIT 5 HOURS OR MORE BEFORE IT WILL START BACK UP.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below to determine whether it's fuel or spark problem:

Cranks but no start condition:

Fuel and Spark:
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JTFOWLER1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
Engine dies and won't start until it sets for awhile.
Sometimes it just won't start when cold.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi first we need to check fuel pressure at fuel rail while the car will not start. You also need to check for spark when it won, t start most likely one of these two things are missing when it won, t start after we determine this we can help you diagnose the failing part let me know thanks billymac
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JTFOWLER1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
When it wont start there is no fire to the coils or plugs.
I have replaced everything that might be causing the problem.
Just replaced the PCM, no help. Runs perfect when it runs.
Thanks John
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi john sounds like the crank sensor has failed. This part is behind the crank pulley and is fired by the fireing ring on the crank pulley. Care must be taken when replaceing. As to not damage the aluminum rings. Another possibility is the ign module. This is mounted under the coils. There are technical ways of testing these parts but special tools and training are needed. The module you can remove and a auto store can test it. The crank sensor can be tested with a dvm. Be sure and check all fuses first. Thanks billymac
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JTFOWLER1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I had the crank sensor and crank pully and ign module replaced about a year ago and two days later it died again and has been doing it ever since.
Crazy isn't it!
Thanks John
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)

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