i have a 1993 buick regal gran sport with a starting problem?

Question

Engine turns but spark is sporatic. Changed sparkplugs, same problem. went to fuel system instead. changed filter and tried to bleed lines but not sure if it was done correctly. it started to idle but shut off soon after. i need help with the proceedures for bleeding the lines and whats the next step if this does not work. i also changed the air filter and battery.

Answer 1

You said sporadic spark? My money is on the coil and plug wires. You moved on to fuel? When changing a fuel filter all you have to do is prime it by turning the key to "run" but not starting it for 3 seconds and turning back to "off" 2 times then crank it over. fuel line is primed with fuel and should run. You also may have fuel pump going out. Good luck.

Answer 2

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RE:

i have a 1993 buick regal gran sport with a starting problem?

Engine turns but spark is sporatic. Changed sparkplugs, same problem. went to fuel system instead. changed filter and tried to bleed lines but not sure if it was done correctly. it started to idle but shut off soon after. i need help with the proceedures for bleeding the lines and whats the next...

Answer 3

1st- check for good spark at the plugs. I use an old plug, clamp it to a good ground w/the plug wire attached.

2nd- if weak at step 1, then check plug wire resistance it should be no more than 3k ohms per foot, if wires are okay

try a jumper wire from coil output to a gap [such as the same test plug], if weak spark, verify full 12V at coil, if voltage present, replace coil. If not 12V, follow wiring diagram back, may have bad ballast resistor. If coil spark good, check cap/rotor for corrosion.

3rd- if spark appears okay then check for fuel &/or verify fuel pressure & volume. Check injector spray pattern. Dump a can of Dry-Gas in the tank, it may have moisture problems.



Keep the battery charged while you work so you do not induce a phantom problem by running the battery low by too much cranking.



Be patient & work methodically! A Volt Ohm Meter can be your best friend.

Answer 4

Could be a one of a host of issues. My first guess is with the fuel delivery, based on the fact that you mentioned is does turn over, but stalls out immediately afterward. The car is 16+ yrs old, and I'm guessing might still have the original fuel pump. I would first check and replace any fuel filters, which are very inexpensive and do occasionally need replacement. If filters are good, get a voltage reading on your fuel pump to make sure it's getting power and pop the hood and visually inspect your injectors to see if there's any leakage on the fuel rail. Aside from that, are you getting any check engine lights? Have you noticed any poor idling recently, or a little hesitation on acceleration? Final question, and please don't get offended, but is it out of gas?

Answer 5

CPI or throttle body injection system?

Is engine flooding out? Do you smell raw gasoline?

Is engine starving for fuel?

If flooding out you are not getting fire to your plugs! Ignition module!

If starving for fuel best way to proceed is get your hands on a fuel pressure gage. They sell them at most parts houses.

At same time get a Haynes Manual or other good shop manual for your year make and model vehicle.

Look up the fitting where you connect the pressure gage to the fuel line. On 4.3L V 6 most likely at back of engine on left side.

Connect pressure gage then start your car and watch the pressure gage while engine is running. If it starts falling off then you have a fuel pressure problem on the supply side i.e. from your fuel pump to your engine which includes gas tank, fuel pump, fuel lines and fuel filter.

If you have been buying cheap gas at cut rate stations you can easily have trash in your gas tank which is getting sucked up to your fuel pump stopping the pump's intake up then when engine dies trash falls off back to bottom of the tank allowing the car to run until it is sucked back to the pump's intake again.

As a rule of thumb on psi readings:

CPI between 60 to 90 psi. with 60 a bare minimum and might start and run and might not. it is better to add a little fudge factor to allow for worn injectors. I usually prefer between 65psi to 75 psi as the minimum pressure before changing the fuel pump anything less with fuel lines and filter being ok I change the fuel pump.

With a throttle body system the fuel pressure should be anywhere from 15 psi to 35 psi. with 15 again being the bare minimum and ify. Be safer around 25 psi. as a minimum.

I'd tell you to disconnect the return line at the tank if your fuel pressure remains constant to check for return. i.e. fuel returning back to your tank from the injector system (engine). To do that you will need a gas can to put the return line is so gas doesn't get every where.

But doing that is dangerous (one He*l of a fire hazard) and should be done only in a shop with proper equipment and fire extingushers.

If it is your fuel pump going back that is also a good time to have your gas tank cleaned out since the tank is going to have to be removed to change the pump.

THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP BECAUSE OF THE FIRE HAZARD INVOLVED!

AND ABSLUTELY NO SMOKING NO ELECTRIC TROUBLE LIGHTS NO NOTHING THAT CAN CAUSE AN ARK OR ANY KIND OF FIRE WHAT SO EVER ANY WHERE NEAR THE CAR WHEN REMOVING THE TANK! THAT ALSO INCLUDES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU DO IT.

AND HAVE PLENTY OF FIRE EXTINGUSHERS ON HAND AS WELL. CLASS RATED ABC FIRE EXTINGUSHERS IN CASE OF FIRE!

Answer 6

Check for any trouble codes in the ECM...this will help isolate the problem instead of guessing what it is....this might save u a lot of time and money....there might be a code for engine speed sensor signal problem which will cause sporadic spark...

Answer 7

Check your wires, coil, distributor cap, rotor button, and the distributor itself.