QuestionHi Van,
Firstly I'd like to say many thanks for your help, I really appreciate it,
and you've probably saved me a lot of money getting hosed at the
mechanics!
You had mentioned that it sounds like a short in the coil pack and I
think you are on the right
track.
I know I have procrastinated taken in for servicing due to lack of cash
but here are the steps I have taken: Replaced plugs and wires, Replace
Battery, Put in injector cleaner ( I though maybe it was fuel).
I checked the sparks on the coil pack: They seemed to fire when
running although one coil seemed to give less spark than the others.
When the car stalled out and would turn but not start (as mentioned
below), there was no spark coming from any coils while it was turning
over.
Here is what I have noticed: When I replaced the battery, The car would
do the same: Idle for 10-15min then quit. But It would start up again
and sometimes idle for a long time.
Here's the Thing: I accidentally left the interior lights on and ran the
battery out. So I jump started it and it ran for 15min,, this time when it
quit it would not start up again,, not 10min later or the even next day.
It seems as though having a fresh strong battery would allow the car
to restart after stalling.
Do you think that this is a shorting problem having to do with the
strength of the battery? Or is it the coils themselves (I thought when
they were dead , they wouldn't work at all)?
Any help would be great,, Your the Man! I know I should just take it in
but I thought I would give one last try at fixing it myself.
Best regards,
Jeff
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Followup To
Question -
Hello,
I have recently bought a 92 Buick Skylark. It starts up fine, but
after about 15min it cuts right out and will not start up again
until I wait about 15min,,after 15min it will start but will cut
back out again after 5 min. The thermometer on the dash does not
show excessive heat.
It still turns over and revs as if the engine is maybe flooded. I'm
guessing that this is a temperature or fuel related problem but
can't figure it out? Why would the fuel cut out or flood after 15min?
Going though the records, I found a recent receipt with
the following work done to it.
New Parts:
• computer
• fan motor
• TPS sensor
• Thermostat + Gasket
• Temp Cooling Sensor
Labour:
"Remove Throttle body and replace TSP sensor + Thermostat.
Remove alternator + replace cooling sensor. Remove fan and
replace motor. Lots os diagnostics on computer"
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Jeff
Answer -
Hi Jeff,
Sounds like the coil pack with a intermittent temperature induced short
or open.
I would check the spark when it is cold, probably at a few plug wires,
and then when it dies,
check to see if the spark is about the same, or if it is real weak or
nonexistent.
If the spark is still good and strong, then the possibility of a vacuum
forming in the fuel tank is
what I'd check for next. just remove the gas cap, and see if it will start.
Van
AnswerHi Jeff,
A coil pack usually consists of three coils on top of a control module. Each coil supplies the spark for two plugs. The coils themselves, at least on many models, are removable, and replaceable.
If you had a single coil, and there is occasionally no spark, the problem could be from the control module, or the coil itself.
But if you have the three coils on the pack, chances of all three quitting at the same times are almost impossible. If you check more than one coil, and don't get spark, I would lean toward the module, or power supply to the module, or a signal that tells the module when to fire.
That signal could come from a crankshaft position sensor, which in your car could be right behind the crankshaft damper pulley. if there is a disc with notches in it, that rotates in a slot in a different device with some wires connected to it, That could be where your problem is. Optical sensor I believe it is.
Van
