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1989 Buick Reatta will not idle


Nevets95

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Recently it had some stalling issues, one a week it would stall and need 45 minutes before being able to start again. All symptoms led to a back crank position sensor. I got that sensor replaced and now it will only run if you hold the pedal down to 2000 rpm. Any lower and it will immediately stall out. This is my only car and I really need help as soon as possible, thank you.

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Keep scrolling down the Forums until you find the Buick section. There's a Reatta subforum there and a group of owners who are very good at troubleshooting Reatta issues.

 

Did you use a GM CPS or an aftermarket part? And no, I don't consider current AC-Delco electronic parts to be a suitable replacement for old stock GM parts.

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Remove the cam sensor and bump the engine to line-up the magnet in the cam gear with the cam sensor hole to verify that the magnet is actually there.  The magnet is held in place by a nylon clip that deteriorates and allows the magnet to fall out.  If the magnet is intact, you could try a new cam sensor; last I knew they weren't too expensive (around $20).

Edited by EmTee
typo (see edit history)
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"will only run if you hold the pedal down to 2000 rpm. Any lower and it will immediately stall out" Sounds more like a TPS signal going to zero, that will kill the engine. SHould be .38-.42vdc at idle and over 4.0vdc at WOT with no dead spots in the middle.

Edited by padgett (see edit history)
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Forums are like convenient markets. The majority of the customers just pop in, get what they need, and get out. They don't come back until they need something else. A few of the regular customers stop by often just to hang out and shoot the bull. I guess I'm one of the regular customers. :) 

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Update on this, apologies for my absence. Got the car back, runs and drives fine but stalls and doesn't start for hours on end. We've pinpointed it has to do something with spark, once it stalls something isn't delivering proper spark to the cylinders. Just waiting to get it back

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Sure sounds like crank sensor or ignition control module. Sometimes the cam sensor gets confused with the crank sensor when non mechanics converse about things to be clear. Did the won’t run below 2000 rpm problem get fixed?

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17 hours ago, Nevets95 said:

runs and drives fine but stalls and doesn't start for hours on end. We've pinpointed it has to do something with spark, once it stalls something isn't delivering proper spark to the cylinders.

Classic symptoms of a bad Ignition Control Module. Crankshaft Position Sensor can do the some but it is rare. Neither one will set a code.

 

Cam position sensor won't prevent a 3800 from starting and running. It only optimizes the timing of the injector opening so you can rule it out as preventing the engine from starting.

 

If your ICM has gray matter on the side of it like the photo below, it indicates it's overheating. Replace it.

ICM-magnavox-goo.jpg

ICM-magnavox-4.jpg

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25 minutes ago, padgett said:

"Fine" is not a value. TPS should be .38-.42v at idle, over 4.0 at max throttle, and no dead spots in the middle.

I didn't ask the mechanic to test this, after all the crank position sensor was why it refused to idle and we replaced it and it works fine

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11 hours ago, Ronnie said:

So installing a second crank position sensor fixed the problem?

It solved the no idle problem, but did not solve the stalling while driving and refusing to start after the stall issue

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Update- got the car back, problem was ignition control module and the coil pack. Ended up fixing another issue I chose to ignore, and has power when cold. There used to be a deadzone when pressing down the pedal all the way until it was to the floor. Runs like a charm and hasn't stalled on me yet

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