Starting issues

Tiny
ERIK.S
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
Most of the time the car starts right up and is fine. Here lately and more frequently I have turn on the key and it will crank, but no start. I shut the key off and crank again, and again, and again. Sometimes it only takes four or five times for it to turn over, other times it takes fifty times of turning it on and off. It is taking longer and longer here lately and I only seem to have problems with it when it gets cooler outside. Never any issues during the hot summer. It has never not started, it is just taking longer and longer for it to start. I sat for forty five minutes just cranking it over and over until it finally started and I am sure I am putting wear and tear on other parts. Thoughts on if it sounds electrical or fuel related? I changed the fuel filter, fuel pump works fine, has a new starter. The car is used as a vehicle I use to take back and forth from my work depot to the hotel when I am out of town so I do not have a lot of place to really tear it down and dive into the issue. Any quick fix ideas or answers to my issues is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Monday, October 3rd, 2016 AT 3:25 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,412 POSTS
Try and get a fuel pressure gauge to measure actual fuel pressure and also a noid let set to check injector pulse. When it is not starting, have someone crank it over and check to see if you have any spark. If no spark connect a noid light to the injector wire connector. While cranking light needs to flash on and off. If injector is good and no spark, you could have a issue with the coil pack or ignition control module. If no spark and injector pulse then you will need a compatible scanner to see if there is an rpm's reading. If no rpm's when it wont start then I would suspect a bad crank sensor. If no fuel pressure then verify power to the pump. If power and ground are good replace the fuel pump.
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Monday, October 3rd, 2016 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
ERIK.S
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok so here's the new issue. I have changed the camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, coil packs, and ignition control module. I've had all the fuel issues tested and fuel is not the problem. The car has always ran and idled just fine when it would start, but now that I changed the ignition control module, when it idles it just kinda bumps/sputters/misfires and sounds like it's trying to die. Most of the time it will start up just fine, but when it does not start and just cranks I am not getting any spark from any cylinder. The rough idling is a new problem which it has never done before, but the no start is still the main problem. I did find that the PCV valve/hose is electrical taped and I can hear and feel air escaping. It obviously been like that for awhile so I don't know if that is causing the all of a sudden sputtering/missing it seemed to develop over night. I'm kind of at a loss now so any ideas would be my joy appreciated!
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Monday, December 5th, 2016 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hey Erik,

It kinda sounds like the ECM might be going out, have you ran the codes? Also those engine have a oil pressure switch that shuts the engine off when the oil pressure is low. Can you check the oil level and the switch to make sure they are in good shape.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, December 10th, 2016 AT 11:34 AM

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