90 won't start

[Dales90]

Ok,here goes.

The car is in a lengthy restoration, and has been started from time to time to relocate in the garage.

Last time it ran was approx early June, last evening it didn't start.

Had fuel pressure to the rails, but was not hearing the fuel pump in the tank.

Had spark from the coil packs, but none to the plugs.

Any idea if there is an electronic part that fails without warning and takes the engine out of start mode?

Any help appreciated.

Dale

[Guest Ranger]

Only because mine wouldn't start two weeks ago after it was turned off and after many trys it restarted only to not start again after turning off, I'd suggest you may think about the crankshaft position sensor. The CPS is located near the harmonic balancer. I too had pressure in the fuel rail, spark, just wouldn't start. My mechanic told me the CPS will tell the fuel rail when to allow fuel to go to the engine amongst other functions. He installed a new one (about $40 and 1 hour labor including diagnostics) and I was off and running.

Good luck,

Jim

[Dales90]

Thanks.

I thought about that, had it happen on an 89 Riv a few years back, and didn't want that to be the case, but does seem logical.

I will keep you posted, thanks again.

Dale

[55chevy]

It also may be the VATS key, see recent post

[Guest jcc3inc]

Gentlemen and Ladies,

I recently drove to the post office about 12 blocks from home, and when I came back out it started, ran 50 feet then quit. I pushed it back into a parking lot and tried to restart it; it ran VERY poorly at a low speed, then quit. I went home, came back in 1 hour and it started OK so I got it home, changed the crank position sensor and now all is well. A similar problem happened earlier with our '97 LeSabre.

If you do the work yourself, you will need a puller to get the harmonic balancer off. Do USE CARE WHEN REPOSITIONING the pickup; its position is adjustable and you must center it before tightening the clamping screw.

Regards,

Jack C.

[DebbieH]

I thought I ran out of gas in my 88 Reatta today, but when I put more in it still wouldn't start. Got it towed to a level spot and tried several times. You can hear the fuel pump when the ignition is switched on, and a couple of times it caught, but wouldn't hold.

The CRT flashed something right before it stopped and then the Service Engine light came on. When I looked at the diagnostics, it read E041.

Any idea if this is the same problem? I've had no previous problems with the car -- always starts, always runs. I'd appreciate any ideas - before I take it off to the mechanic.

Thanks, Debbie H.

[Guest Drake]

Hello Debbie,

The E041 code is for the cam sensor circuit. It sounds like the cam sensor went bad, or, the cam sensor magnet. The cam sensor is mounted on the front of the engine, left side just below the water pump. It has a wire connector & one bolt holding it in place. Not to bad to change, you just have to remove the water pump pulley for easy access.

If it's the cam sensor magnet, that's a little more involved. The magnet is located on the face of the camshaft timing chain gear, and can be seen through the mounting hole for the cam sensor ( as long as the magnet stopped in line with the hole when shut down ).

There have been numerous Threads covering this problem. I'm sure someone will have more information for you shortly.

Hope this helps getting you in the right direction.

[DebbieH]

Thanks!!

[padgett]

Loss of the cam sensor may make it run poorly but it will run. Magnet is also a 30 minute replacement (but let it sit overnight to let the glue dry). Bad crank sensor will keep the engine from running.