Car stalled now cranks but no start

JEFFCANADA

MEMBER
1986 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
2.8L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I was driving my new to me car for $400.00. We are having a crazy heat wave 35 Celsius. I'm heading up a one block long pretty steep hill 3/4 the way up car sputters, fuel guage reads just below quarter tank; boom stalls out. I luckily had momentum to get to top and pull over. I remember it stalling once before but not the same scenario but it started up that time. This time and ever since I haven't got it to start since it cranks fine but no go. The pump and mechanical fuel connections look fairly newish so i'm thinking it was'nt too long ago it got replaced but don't know the details. I have checked fuses, replaced pump relay. I'm going to check the sparks today, but i'm not too knowledgeable on ignition or most auto mechanic diagnosis at all really. So I have been mad watching YouTube videos and reading car forums and getting wrong and bad advice advice from everyone I know that thinks they know. But seems I know more now about this car then they seem to think they know, lol. I'm excited to learn more and hey even hear this old car rev again. Thanks

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This sounds like a fuel pressure issue so the fact that the pump and other components appear to be new tells me someone may have experienced the same thing and tried to repair it.

However, we need to start with running through this info that helps with getting our head wrapped around the possible causes.

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

I would suggest starting with checking the pressure as I suspect this is the issue based on what you are saying happened. Checking spark is a good idea as well.

Here is a guide that will help with fuel pressure:

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

To check the spark, just pull a plug and crank the engine and hold it against the block and see if it fires. If not, then we need to track that down.

Below you will find the info from the manual on how to check the pressure on this. Let me know if you have questions.

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