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Will not start?

Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,403 MILES
Hey everyone, I have the car listed above and for the life of me I can’t figure out why it won’t start. Fuel pump relay new, fuel pump new, fuses good, but still nothing. I spray starter fluid and it does run. But no power to the fuel pump, or relay. I did power the red connector that comes out of the relay to the battery. I can hear a humming in the engine, and fuel comes out of the test valve. Any suggestions? I even changed the fusible links coming from the starter.
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 4:02 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

There is a 15 amp in-line fuse on the relay bracket under the hood. (Passenger side) Have you checked it? Are you getting power to the relay pin 87 in at the connector? Also, relay pin 85 should get voltage from the PCM to actuate the relay. Are you getting power to it as well?

Let me know. Also, I attached a pic below showing the schematic related to the relay, so you have a reference. Additionally, here is a link you may find of interest:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let me know what you find or if you have questions. Also, pic 2 shows the fuse location.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
There is no power at the relay. And the fuse is good. Where is the PCM? I’m new to these cars.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 5:49 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

The PCM is behind the dash on the passenger side of the interior. If you look below, I highlighted the PCM for you.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Okay. The PCM is actually laying on the floorboard. I think someone checked. Thanks
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I put a test light to the fuse for the fuel pump and when I turn the engine it lights up but stops when the engine stops, is that normal? Still don’t hear the pump cycle on.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

Yes, that is normal. It times out after a couple of seconds. Once the ignition is recognized by the PCM, it turns power back on until the ignition is turned off again.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I found this while inspecting the fuel injectors. Some injectors look really dirty.
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 4:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

The marks on the wiring appear to be from someone in the past probing them. If you remove the connector, is there still power to them?

Will it start for a couple of seconds if you use starting fluid?

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It does start for a couple seconds.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2022 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Does it require starting fluid to start for a couple of seconds?

Have you been able to determine the lack of power at the relay? Have you had a chance to see if a ground path is being provided via the black wire on the injector connector?

Also, do you have power to the injectors?

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, October 13th, 2022 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It does use starting fluid. And then turns off after a few seconds. I changed the Fusible links from the starter and now when I put a prob in the fuse and turn the key the lights come on. One of the fuel injector wires looked corroded, some were in there probing the and went in a little too far in, I just changed it. Just have to put it together and see what happens. Thanks for your help by the way.
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Friday, October 14th, 2022 AT 4:06 AM
Tiny
RODRIGO BARAJAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm in it now! It finally started after fixing the injector wire, but it burst into flames, burnt some sensors 1 that is under the cold intake, which is round on the transmission, and other connectors, :( now I need a wire harness for the front side of the car. OMG I just can't believe it I want to cry..
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Friday, October 14th, 2022 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
RODRIGO BARAJAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It started but it caught fire! Now I need some harness connectors and vacuum lines :(
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Friday, October 14th, 2022 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

Wow! That isn't good news. What caught fire? Also, I noticed you added to a different post. Is this the same year make and model as the original one?

Joe
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It’s the same post. I don’t know why it shows it as two different ones. But yeah, I cranked it and it burst into flames. I’m not sure if it was gas the spilled out when I took the fuel rail out. I thought there was no gas in there, but there was, and I think what ignited it was a backfire. Oh, and a hose under the intake burned cause coolant spills out from under there. I need to find some hoses and connectors at a junk yard.
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

If it backfired, that is the likely cause. However, the backfire shouldn't have happened. Can you explain what led you to this point? Also, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Joe
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I have been trying to turn it on for a while and I used starter fluid to before on and I think it was because it haven’t been on for such a long time. It was getting its first breaths of life. Kinda like when you fire up a 350 for the first. At least that’s my thought. I did completely remove the fuel rail to fix the broken wires and cleaned injectors.
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

Anything is possible. When you get the needed parts, let me know if it will run. Also, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
ELMAMALON78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
There is a small sensor below the throttle body on the transmission that is round, what is it called and how u take it off? Any suggestions?
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Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Hi,

Is it possible for you to take a pic of what you are seeing and upload it for me? I'm not sure what you are seeing.

I attached a pic below of the throttle body area. Do you see the sensor in that pic?

Let me know.

Joe

see pic below.
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Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 7:22 PM

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