Car shuts off randomly and will not restart

CHRIS GREENE2

MEMBER
1992 BUICK LESABRE
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
85,185 MILES

The car has been sitting idle for a little over a year because of the same problem we are currently having. It has real trouble getting started, if it will start at all. When trying to start it, most of the time it will not turn over, it just cranks and will not start. When it randomly does start, it will inevitably shut off again and I cannot get it started again. And every time it stays running even shorter, and now it will not start at all. I have run the problem codes and it comes back with 17 and 58. I have replaced the camshaft position sensor (to resolve the 17 code), but it still does not start and still gives the 17 and 58 codes after I have replaced it. I do not understand what the 58 code means or how to fix it. I do not know what to do, and do not have a lot of money to spend on this car. Our family really needs this car to work again. What do I do now?

4 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon.

The first thing I would do is try some starting fluid in the air filter and see if the car starts and stalls. If it does that will tell us it is a fuel delivery issue.

If it does not, then it may be a spark issue. You will need to check for spark at the plugs while cranking.

Try these two tests first.

Roy

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

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

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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 1:13 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

I found the code. I gave you a list of all the codes. It does not tell you anything about replacing parts but gives the system with a fault.

58 is for the key or VATS system.

Roy

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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 1:25 PM

CHRIS GREENE2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well, my mechanical friends got it started with the help of some starter fluid in what I think is the air intake, and it ran fine until we shut it off. I guess I did not charge the battery as much as I thought I did. We did that a couple times and it has now running for a while. It has been sitting for quite a long time and they said that the fuel would have probably started to break down. We are getting some fuel treatment to put in the gas tank and see how it goes from there. Once I disconnected the battery and reconnected it again, neither code showed up anymore so whatever I did before fixed the two codes from before.

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 1:57 PM

ASEMASTER6371