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No Start but it cranks!

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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 05:42 PM
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Default No Start but it cranks!

Ok so i need a list of things to check on my uncles 88 LE bonnie.
Its got a no start issue. it ran great but he was driving it, he shut it off,
went back to it about an hour later and NO START! :( So he had it towed back home, it was just down the road luckily. I told him i'd give him a hand at fixing it. Could someone make me a list of things to check for. I'm thinking its ignition related. maybe the crank sensor, it was running great then just died out?! Its gotta be something easy.
If one of you 87-91 masterminds could make me a troubleshooting list it would be much appreciated. Thanks In Advance. Also it cranks fine, fuel pump it new and working, and there is no unusual noise when cranking. Thanks!
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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 08:55 PM
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Start here: http://6007.us/cbdnr.pdf
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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 09:31 PM
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Default THANK YOU!

Thanks this outta help out!

Does the problem i described sound like anything in particular to you?
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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 11:01 PM
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I would follow Padgett'* lead but it does sound like crank sensor. If it loses one of the signals from the sensor (don't remember which) it will continue to run but will not restart. It needs both signals from the sensor for startup.
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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 2seater
If it loses one of the signals from the sensor (don't remember which) it will continue to run but will not restart.
:?: :?:

had both out <not at same time>. crank sensor would cause the car not to start, and torwards the end, would actually cause the car to die. cam sensor: the car just didnt have the umph off the line it normally did <and would throw a code>.
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:21 AM
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Default no start

also a dirt or loose pin connector at the ICM could cause an intermitten stall.
Is the crank sensor original?
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 03:16 PM
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I wont be able to check on these things for a while but i'll post what i find when i get a chance. Thanks
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by rjolly87
Originally Posted by 2seater
If it loses one of the signals from the sensor (don't remember which) it will continue to run but will not restart.
:?: :?:

had both out <not at same time>. crank sensor would cause the car not to start, and torwards the end, would actually cause the car to die. cam sensor: the car just didnt have the umph off the line it normally did <and would throw a code>.
What I meant was there are two signals from the crank sensor, 18x and 3x. The two signals together determine TDC for starting purposes. Once the engine is running it doesn't need to compute the TDC and will operate from the ICM and ECM timing control as long as the 18x signal is present. The 3x signal is no longer needed. If either signal from the crank sensor has failed, it can no longer determine TDC and will not generate a signal to start fuel flow, or spark, for starting. The cam sensor only starts the correct sequence for the injectors and it will start and run without any cam sensor at all. If the sequence is off due to lack of cam signal, low speed driveability may not be as good, but it depends if the ECM has guessed right on sequence and will likely change each time the engine is started.
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:45 PM
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seems like everyone has their info straight.

since it is an LE, i am going to probably go out on a limb, and say it doesn't have a tachometer? If it does, that will be extremely handy for you. If the tachometer does NOT move when cranking, it is an ignition related issue. If it does move when cranking, then the ignition ssytem is working properly up until the coils. So it could be the coils have failed, wires failed, or plugs fouled.

One last thing, make sure the SES light comes on when the ignition is turned on.. it'* far out there though..
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:39 AM
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I recall when drivingit that it does not have a tach but I'll use the spare autometer we have and just hook it up to test it. what wire shold i hook into? Oh and the SES did come on when the key first turned, i dont remeber if when cranking. i'll check for codes first.
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