Cadillac Repair: 94 Fleetwood wont start, 1994 cadillac fleetwood, crankshaft sensor

Question
QUESTION: Hi I have a 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood RWD 5.7L that will not start. I must tell you some history on this car first. One day while driving on the highway it just shut down. I had it towed to chevy dealer (chevy motor) and was told the problem was the fuel pump and coil. I replaced both items but when I hooked the battery cable back up something shorted and killed the starter. It was a wire coming from the fuel pump that caused this. I fixed that problem and replaced the starter (what ever happened to the days of $25 to $45 starters) The car started, it seemed to idle fine but while driving it was sluggish (like a herky jerky type of motion). I know nothing was wrong with transmission before car shut down on me and I don't think anything is wrong with it now. I thought maybe something was wrong with fuel pump so I took it to a shop and had them replace the fuel pump (AC/Delco). The herky jerky problem did not go away. So I drove the car and noticed on the highway that when trying to maintain just about any speed the herky jerky problem would still be there but if I accelerated like trying to pass someone the car would respond quickly with any hesitation. One day while going down the street the car shut down on me again and will not start. I replaced another coil, cap/rotor, pump relay. The fuel pump has plenty of pressure. I had a buddy turn the car over and found out that I have no spark jumping between the spark plug and wire even while holding wire really close to plug. Someone mention that the problem could be crankshaft sensor. The car will turn over all day long but just will not fire up. Could this sensor be the problem? Please respond

ANSWER: Is or has the CHECK ENGINE light ever illuminated while driving the vehicle ?.

If YES, You need to retrieve the codes from the computer via the diagnostic link connector under the dash.

The easiest way is to take the vehicle into most any auto parts store such as AUTOZONE and they will be able to put a scanner on the connector and tell you what the codes are. Have them ERASE ALL the codes from the computer and then go drive the car and see if the CHECK ENGINE light illuminates  and when it does, go back to autozone and have them recheck the computer for codes and let me know what codes you get. If possible when they retrieve the codes the SECOND time, If you could video tape the flashing check engine light until the test is complete, E-mail the video tape to: onlineautohelp@msn.com as this person is excellent with complicated problems and their resolution.

However, FIRST check to see if the spark plugs are fouled with a blackish residue and if they are, replace them.

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QUESTION: Check engine light has never let while driving. Unable to Take car anywhere because it will not start. Spark plugs are not fouled. I found out today that this make and model does not have crankshaft sensor, it has Opti-spark and I was told that the electronic module (located in or near the distributor) may be bad. I'm about lost on what to do now.

Answer
Are you getting spark to the spark plugs as you crank the engine ?.

Is the fuel pump working ?. Perform this test :

Fuel pump test:

1. Get yourself a helper.

2. remove the gas cap.

3. have one person listen in the gas tank at the gas cap opening.

4. have the other person turn the ignition switch to the ON position ONLY so as the dash lights come on. Do NOT attempt to start the engine.

5. As soon as the ignition key is turned to the ON position, The person at the gas tank should hear the fuel pump run for TWO SECONDS and then it should STOP.

6. Does it ?.


If you do NOT hear it run, in most cases the fault is the fuel pump relay or the fuel pump..