luftweg Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Although my Reatta has been off the road for quite some time (it has been stored for over a year), I too had pretty much exactly what you describe (the 'needs-three-to-five-cranks-to-start-in-the-morning-but-starts-okay-if-it-has-been-running-within-the-last-three-hours' syndrome)...I never got very deep into solving the problem; I did notice that it seemed to make no difference what the weather was, and that turning the key to on position a few times (for a few seconds each time) didn't seem to work (at least in any obvious way).I had been told all the stuff about the prom, fuel pump, filter (changed that), battery, etc...Btw, mine is an 89 with about 85k miles....Is it possible that this problem is 'idiopathic' to many Reattae? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Read the service manual last night, and the problem could be the oil pressure switch. Just ordered one from GM this morning. If anyone interested part # 3532954. Let you know if this was the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 OK back to basics. Pour 1/2oz.-1oz. of gasioline into the plenium (I usually pull one of the hoses going to the octopus on top of the plenium and insert there.Wait 10 seconds and try to start with foot on gas. If nothing happens, the problem is in ignition. If it starts, runs a few seconds, then dies you have a fuel delivery problem. If it starts and keeps on running then there was a fuel line block that cleared or a fuel pump that did not run.No special tools required (other than a funnel).Once you try that we'll go to the next step Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Thanks Padgett for the info. Try you suggestion Sat morning, but today going to install the oil pressure switch to see if that corrects the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Mr. Padgett Replaced the oil pressure switch this morning before starting, and same problem no start.But this what i found. 6 attempts by turning the key to run position could not hear the fuel pump.Then started to crank the engine 5 times each time i would turn the ignition off and try again.On the 6th time just turning the key to the ON position i could hear the fuel pump start running for the first time, and immediately cranked engine, and it started.I replaced the fuel pump relay on the firewall Thur. It is the center relay for the fuel pump on a 89 reatta??????Help me padgett thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 That certainly sounds like you are not getting the initial 2 second pump action through the relay (by 6th attempt you had probably cranked enough to get oil pressure reading which also turns the pump on).Now there are a number of involved elements from the ECM to the relay to ground, just the most common failure point is the relay. In the 1989 manual (available online) this can be found on the left side of page 8A-20-8. Troubleshooting is going to require a DVM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Mr. PadgettThanks to you giving the elect page# in the shop manual this car was built on Sunday????I assumed and shouldn't have the fuel relay on the firewall was the CENTER relay?After following the color wire codes on the page you gave me 8A-20-8 and using a test lightmy fuel pump relay on the firewall last one close to the pass side.Or standing in front of the vehicle last one on the left.Replaced the relay with a new one turned the key to on, and could hear the pump run for about 2 sec, and starts first try.I know been a pain to everyone, but spent wad of money in last month just about everything is new now. Wife wanted me to get rid of it so told her go shopping. Like before have a 94 impala ss with 59,000 miles rather drive the reatta.Again thanks to everyone, and especially Mr. Padgett Padgett let me know about the relay position on my firewall?? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 You are welcome but things like relay positions do not always match the manual, recently had to replace the same relay on the TranSport and it was not in the same position as shown in the manual (but was the only one being used as a double throw). Heck the Teves trouble codes in the book do not match what I have observed.This is why having the proper tools (in this case a $3.99 DVM) and knowing how to use them is essential.Maybe I should put together a "Harbor Freight Reatta Essentials" package, suspect it would be less than $75Just be glad no-one suggested dropping the engine and trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machiner 55 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Padgett, I think that is an outstanding idea. You should do it.On another note..... I feel a rant coming on... big time! It's regarding the difficulties of getting the needed info from the FSM. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> In the process of gathering documentation. Too tired tonight to write it out. Will try tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luftweg Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Hey, so it sounds like your problem is solved?In summary, it all turned out to be that fuel pump relay then?And that you had errantly replaced a different relay (which was not the fuel pump relay) in the early-on stages of working on this problem?On my Reatta, I have had the same exact symptoms, but, I could have sworn that I had been hearing the fuel pump run for the 1.5 - 2 seconds (it's supposed to run (?))...And I thought you had mentioned that you also heard the pump running on yours -- at least sometimes (in an older post, and well before changing the real relay)...So I guess my question is whether this can be a somewhat intermittant problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 It is not difficult, it just helps to read very fast (I flipped through just about the whole transmission section before realizing that the 3rd gear switch was a "pressure switch".Also helps to go through the entire manual first to get a feel for what is where. I have postits on the start of the major sections. The elctronic version is a godsend but is a set of scans. This means you cannot just do a search.Perhaps I am from the wrong generation but flipping through a paper book is just easier.So the value in the service manual is that it has so much infrmation but the problem is that there is so much information it can be hard to find any one thing, particuarly if you do not speak GM.Of course the trade is always time vs money and if it is an option to make a dealer's next boat payment for him, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Luftweg i shure hope its fixed. Had good news this morning after sitting all night turned the key to on position, and fuel pump ran about 2 sec cranked engine started right up.In my case the center relay on 89 reatta was not the relay for fuel pump.If anyone can tell me what the other two operate would be appreciated. Know one is for the teves brake system. What is the 3rd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadster90 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 They are both brake relays Larry....wished some of us would have realized you replaced the wrong relay....I have got 90 models and my f/p relay is on the right side of the shift console in a relay center....I am not familiar on the location of many things on the 89 (certainly not an expert on the 90 for that matter <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />). Anyway, Congrats...Happy Motoring <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machiner 55 Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 This must be read like we're talking to one another over a cold beer at the local pub, not like I'm bug-eyed and rantingI'm 51 years old. A licensed Private Pilot. (the government trusts me, so should you <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) I've been a wrench since before exiting the womb. I have two Final Edition FSM's One "good" one and the other dog eared and dirty and a little more than well worn. The cover has been duct taped to hold the front and back covers to the spine. I use a scanner and a printer to copy pages of interest. Can't use the online version. Misplaced my password. (sent for a new one though) I haven't paid anyone to put a wrench to any of my four cars in over a decade. (mounting/balancing tires and wheel alignments don't count)Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with the FSM.There's good info in the FSM but the way it's compiled and the frequent omissions leaves a lot to be desired. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I would be hard pressed to do a better job writing a manual as complex and inclusive as the one for our cars or any type of manual for that matter but, then again, that's not what I do for a living. Once I've completed my rant I hope you and the others will see my point. If you don't... well, thanks for listening. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 This was one of the best posts I followed. At least you took us to the final conclusion!Thank YouGood luckCharlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Have to realize that even the "final editition" is usually available before many cars are built and errors can be discovered. To fill in this gap, each GM division creates Technical Service Bulletins through the year. These are loose leaf folders and cover the entire car line. Each of the four years of the Reatta is about four inches thick and if you think the FSM is hard to follow, it is easy compared to finding the Reatta nuggets among the horde of Park Avenue, LeSabre (some of whick apply to the Reatta drivetrain), and Skylark sections.Further some errors (like the upside down thermostat) persist year after year, just seem to be part of the culture.So unless you use them daily, it is hard to keep up with that you read and what you just have to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Using the TSB's on Reatta.net and Alldata I have solved many problems.Just to name a few1.Hard starting2.Transmission leak3.Rear main seal leak.4 Air condition freon leak.I like to take a lot of time and do as much research and ask as many questions as I can before I get in over my head or wallet.Their is a ton of information available.Using the Search function on this board is worth it's weight in GoldCharlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_blazer1997 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Just final update. Starts right up smooth as silk. Again thanks everyone. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now