1991 Chevy Lumina no spark or fuel

Tiny
JUKENUKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,800 MILES
Hi! Have a '91 lumina that quit running at a stoplight after being drove for about 10 miles. Then 4 hrs later restarted at home (after towed) and ran about 10 min and stalled. No spark.(Didn't check f.P. At time). Had ignition mod checked 50 times. It even got warm. And it checked ok. But replaced anyways with another. Put together. No spark or fuel pressure to speak of(dribbles out of scrader valve). Checked fuse to ecm. Good and has power there too. Fuel pump does not run for 2 srcs when I turn key on. No spark when cranking. Ecm flashes #12 only. Does this mean it is still operational? Should I check wires going to the ignition control module? Which ones? And use a 12 volt test light with just the key in "on"?Could it be the ecm? I see it has been replaced at some time with one from an auto salvage yard. Help! Thanks!John
Thursday, February 12th, 2009 AT 9:44 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
No spark and no fuel is not a common problem. If your sure youy have no fuel pressure and no spark I would lean towards the ecm because thats what sends the fuel pump relay a ground to turn it on when key is turned on. First check the fuel pump relay for power when key is on to make sure there are no broken wires. If you push in the schraeder valve and turn the key on and some fuel comes out I would say thats fuel pressure. What you are describing is a bad crank sensor but this wont shut off fuel pressure. When these have no spark its caused by one of 2 things 99 percen of the time. 1 a bad crank sensor or 2 a bad ignition module.
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Friday, February 13th, 2009 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
JUKENUKE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi. Thanks for your answer. Checked fuel pressure at scrader valve while cranking with fuel pressure gage. No pressure. AND no spark.I know the crank sensor won't shut down fuel supply, but can the ignition control module stop fuel if it is bad? I took out the fuel pump relay and when the key is "on" one of the plug holes lights up my 12 volt test light. Is there any way to check the ecm. If I go to a salvage yard to get one do I have to take the prom out of my old one? Thanks alot, John
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Friday, February 13th, 2009 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Yes you will need to original prom. The ignition module wont control fuel either. Check the green wire on the fuel pump relay for a ground for 2 seconds when the key is turned forward. This is a ground signal from ecm to fuel pump relay. Also does the check engine light illuminate when the key is turned to run?
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009 AT 6:35 AM
Tiny
JUKENUKE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Good news, kinda.I went and got another fuel pressure gauge, suspecting the old one I was using was broke. And it was.I have 45 lbs while cranking. But still no spark. And YES, check engine light does come up when key is turned. Gonna take this different control module and have it checked out. If it is bad I will replace it again. Is it a bad sign if the check engine light doesn't come on when the key is trurned?I located the crankshaft sensor last nite. It is in one hell of a space too.I can barely get my hand up there to even touch it. How do you guys change them on a lumina. If I can manage to get them bolt loose, I don't know how I'll get it out.I bet it's in there tight too.I have big hands. Do you get someone little? GOD.I tried tilting the engine UP. Made LESS room. Help! Thanks for all your great help.I have already e-mailed your site to 3 of my friends. John
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009 AT 7:53 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Im dure the problem is the crank sensor so be prepared to change it. I use a 8mm socket, a 1/4 inch swivel and a extension to remove the bolt and the sensor comes out. Rarely will there be a problem removing the sensor. Just dont break it. If it feels like its going to break when you are prying it out, then it will. Pb blaster or penetrating oil works great. Let me know how you make out.
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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
JUKENUKE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi. One last thing.I thought I had located the crank sensor. On the passenger side, back of motor. Looks almost identical to the one I bought at auto-zone. Except auto-zones has a litttle brass ring on it by the bolt. What concerns me is the haynes manual shows 2 crank sensors. And the auto zone description of where it is, says on the front of motor by the harmonic balancer. The one I'm taking out has a purple and yellow wire to it. The haynes manual describes this as the low resolution 3x position crankshaft sensor. So. Is the one 3x. Purple and gold wire one located on the back of the engine block, passenger side the right one? Thanks alot.J
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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
The one on passengers side rear of engine is the one. The new sensor has a brass ring on it but the original one may be all black plastic. The 3-1 litre engine does not have one on the crank pulley
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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 5:34 PM

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