Car will not stay running

Tiny
GREGORYBRENTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Car will run for ten minutes or so then the lights on the dash start flashing mostly the temperature light and service engine light. Then it shuts off and will not start back up for five minutes or so. Then does it again. I have replaced the crank sensor, cam sensor, the ignition control module and map sensor. What is the next thing I am missing?
Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
Pull the codes when it does it. Being a 1992, it has OBD1, which you can pull the codes with a jumper wire in the connector. Here is a how-to guide for that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Go ahead and do that when it does it, report the code(s) here. Also, make sure it is not overheating or something like that. If the cooling fan is working, then when the engine is off and key is off, feel the upper and lower radiator hoses. If there is a serious difference in temperatures, then coolant is not flowing like it should. Could be a clogged radiator, bad thermostat, etc. Some cars will shut down when the temperature reaches a certain point, but I am not sure whether or not this is one of those cars.
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Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 AT 2:54 AM
Tiny
GREGORYBRENTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I hooked up a computer to the car and it gave me four codes the first was throttle sensor to high the second code was the throttle sensor to low the third was anti thief system failure but the car still cranks over but wont start now
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Thursday, March 15th, 2018 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
Do you remember the specific code numbers? As for the throttle sensor codes, you probably need a new one. That sensor has three wires in the connector. One is a positive lead. One is a ground. And the last is a signal wire (signal goes from sensor to the PCM). Probe two of them with a multi-meter and switch around until you get a +12 volt reading. Now you know which wire is which. You will leave the lead connected to the negative and take the other and connect it to the signal wire. Readings should be steady and go up and down with the throttle. If the readings are jumping all over the place, then you know that you need a new sensor.

Also, the anti-theft system can keep the car from starting. So if you have that code, I can look that up and see what to check.
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Thursday, March 15th, 2018 AT 6:44 PM

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