QuestionOkay, Firstly I really hope that you dont mind me asking a question about a 1992 Buick Century. Its a 3.3 Liter, about 140,000 miles, has ran great before this fiasco started. I used to work on cars an awful lot, have done this sort of operation before but some advice would be SO helpful.
About a week ago my car started stalling out intermittently, mostly when I had let it slow down or idle for a bit after driving it on the freeway and letting it get hot. It did this a few times the very first day and has continued ever since. I ran the first and only code and it came back as the ignition control cirquit, My first inclination was to change the ignition control module, as I know they go bad from time to time, and this was an easy swap.
I changed the control module and had the old one tested, the old one was bad, so I thought I had found my solution. Much to my dismay, she stalled again, and I did some snooping around online and discovered that the crankshaft position sensor has a tendency of going out when it gets hot and tells the computer to shut her down.
Before changing the crankshaft sensor I took the new control module that I had used for a few days to murrays, had them test it again to make sure that I had not shorted it out, and it tested fine.
I began to work my way to the crankshaft sensor which they hid under the fender on the passenger side. When I was trying to get the crankshaft retainer bolt out with just an impact wrench with no sucess, in fact, the crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer itself looked like it was taking a lot of strain and started to crack a bit from the tension, ive heard that you need to pry shut the starter, which is a pretty common move, but with this car you have to get to the flywheel to do that or remove the oil pan?!? Ive heard lots of different things and my book just says "remove retainer bolt" it doesnt even say what way to turn. Please help as at the very least I gotta get this thing running again, should I just break the pulley and buy a new one? it might save me some hassle? not sure where to go from here.
also, if you had any info on the types of stalling problems I was having it wwould be great because im lost after this thanks
AnswerHi
I would replace the whole balancer assy. they are VERY common for breaking.
Check ALL the wiring for the CKP Sensor (crank sensor) make sure all the individual wires are good, and the insulation is still good and not "cracked" or missing.
As far as taking off the balancer bolt.
I do not have a book that old.
USUALLY you can just remove the starter, the flywheelk HAS got top be right there.
They make a special little tool that fits in the teeth of the flywheel, to hold it in place whhile removing.
Oddly enough, it's called a Flywheel Holding Tool! You MAY be able to rent or loan one from any auto parts store that offers that service.
It will be tight That I can guarentee.
I also have had MUCH sucess , IF YOUR GOING TO REPLACE THE BALANCER, of heating the bolt red hot, then use your impact wrench. That gets them 99% of time. BE CAREFUL and keep a fire extinguisher close.
I hope this helps.
This is JUST ADVICE FROM EXPERINCE.
Good Luck
Pawl
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