I love my 89 bonneville 3800, I get almost 30MPG and it has almost 300K miles. I was driving the other day at 55mph and it just quit, no farting or backfires, it was like someone turned the ignition off. The engine turns over, there is gas to cyl. but it will not fire. I am in the Army and cannot afford to take to mechanic, and I have no other vehicle. Is this maybe the ignition module? I was told it was the cam shaft sensor but then wouldn't it backfire if it was bad? If I leave the car alone for a few days and then turn the key it will start but immediately die?

please help?

hey thanks for responding. No, if I wait a few days it will start then quit immediately after the cylinders fire. When I try to start it again, it just turns over and won't fire. I ordered a cam sensor but was sent a cam magnet...sigh.

nope. it ran perfect. no check engine lights, oil press fine, full tank of gas, I've not checked spark as it'* hard to by yourself. I have no code reader.....
new battery, new alt, I may have to salvage it as it blue books at $200.

You do not need a code retriever for this car. Follow this procedure to check for codes.

When you are cranking it, and it doesn't start, does your tach stumble around a little bit? Or does it not move?

Here'* a few freebies you can try.

Disconnect the battery cables, remove the bolts & rubber boots. Clean both sides of the cable ends & spacer. Coat all surfaces with dielectric grease & reassemble.

Unplug the electrical connector from the MAF sensor & try starting.

Turn the key to run a couple times then check for fuel in the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator. Shouldn't be any.

Cam sensor isn't needed for starting but a shorted sensor could prevent it from starting. See if it will start with the cam sensor unplugged.

Hard to say until we get those codes. My first idea is a faulty MAF sensor.

I replaced the cam sensor today and no change, new plugs 100 miles ago, checked fuses, checked everything external....I'll try hot wiring the code tomorrow.

ok - i just disconnected the MAF and no change. thanks everyone for trying to help me.