94 just quit running. I need suggestions....HELP!!!
 

I have a 94 3.8L which LOVE. Never had any problems with it until recently. It started about 2 weeks ago. It started running really rough. REALLY rough. It was missing severely as though it had a clogged injector or something. When I would get on the gas, there was ZERO acceleration. There was a strong smell of gas as well.

Yesterday, while in the drive through at the pharmacy, I killed the engine while I was waiting for my prescription. When I went to start it again, it wouldnt crank. My friend is a mechanic and has a scan tool. We ran a scan and it gave 5 errors. The first of the 5 was the crank sensor. We swapped that out (what an ADVENTURE!) We ran the scan again, and the errors were gone, but the car still will not crank. My friend suggested that the computer had gone bad and was not recognizing the new part.

We swapped out the computer, and still nothing. I am at a loss. I am close to just taking it to a GM dealership and having them run a scan. Any ideas guys? Anybody ever have similar issues? Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks...!1!

what trim model? se, sse, ssei?

plugs & wires?

what were the other codes?

Does it crank but not start? Have you checked the coil packs yet?

It is just a standard SE. Plugs and wires are all standard Auto Zone stuff. Replaced them about a year ago. Checked the plugs to see if they had gone foul, but they looked fine. Didn't write the other codes down, but they were all electrical. They disapeared after we replaced the crank sensor.

We thought that the computer might be out, and that is why it was not recognizing the crank sensor. When we swapped out the computer, nothing happend. We are wondering now if it is the PROM memory card. Autozone had no clue about the PROM card, and said it may have to be ordered though the dealership. Thoughts? :?:

Does it crank but not start? Have you checked the coil packs yet?

Yeah. It will crank like it wants to start, but it just won't turn over. Have not checked the coil packs. How can you tell when they have gone bad?

You can find the test procedures in the tech info at the top of the page. Here is a link to the coil pack testing (seems pretty easy).

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/techinfo/?article=33

Or, check to see if its the crankshaft sensor

Crankshaft sensor was giving errors, so we replaced it. Errors are gone, but the computer doesnt seem to recognize the new sensor...

It shouldn't be an issue of it recognizing the part. The computer goes off set parameters when listening to sensors. If a sensor is beyond those bounds it might not listen to it, but if its not setting a code its probably listening to it.

In anycase the first step would be to, as suggested, check for spark. I've always just jabbed a screwdriver into one of the plug wires (or just use a spark plug) and laid it very close to something metal (avoid sensors). Turn the engine a few times and listen for the TICK TICK noise of a spark jumping the gap. There's your backyard test :)

Bad news...
 

Well it is bad news guys. I finally broke down and towed her to the dealership. They ran the diagnostics and they said it is the fuel pump. They quoted me $800 to replace it and another $400 if the sending unit is out as well.

The part is $135.99 at Autozone. How hard is this replacement? Have any of yall had to do it?

The hardest part is dropping the tank. I think the stealership is ripping you off. I had a Caddy done at the stealership none the less a few years ago because I didn't have the time and it cost me $400. Get a second opinion if you are not going to do it yourself.

You can do it yourself for less than 1/4 of that cost and about 4 hours.

What is the process for dropping the tank? Anybody got a link?

You're in luck, I just did this yerterday on my 93, and it's the exact same on a 94 (which by the way I've also done it on)

1.Empty as much fuel as you can out of the car, Driving it, siphon it whatever.
2.Put chocks on the front wheels
3.Put the rear of the car on jackstands, The ones I used yesterday are 19 inches tall and my tank barely fit out.
4.On the drivers' side, at the rear of the tank are two hose clamps. Loosen and moove them up the hoses and out of the way.
5.Follow the tank straps to the rear of the car and loosen the bolts retaining them just enough to slide the tank around.
6.Slide the tank towards the drivers' side enough for it the clear the exhaust on the passenger side. Watch the brake lines on the drivers' side.
7.Once there is nothing under the tank, Remove the straps carefully and set the tank on the ground, A helper is going to be needed. I only had about a gallon in the tank and because of the tight quarters it took three of us under there.
8.As you slide the tank down, watch the lines leaving the tank on the top, heading toward the passenger side, Do not put alot of stress on these lines.
9. Disconnect the fuel lines. One is just rubber slipped over a pipe, pull it off. The other two are black plastic, Mark one set so you know they go together. Then push them farther together, and squeeze the two tabs on the white part, then it'll pull apart.
10. Disconnect the fuel pump electrical connection. Squeeze the gray part and slide it out, then you can lift the black tab and slide the two halves apart.
11. Slide the tank out from under the car.
12. Remove the fuel pump assembly retaining ring. Push it counter-clockwise with a flat headed screwdriver. Push on one tab until it stops, move to the next tab counter-clockwise and continue around like that.
13. thread the fuel pump assembly out of the tank.

From here the directions on your new pump will direct you. Assembly is reverse of removal.

Have Fun ;)

Fuel pump type???
 

Man! Thanks Damemorder!!! That is sure to help.

I have decided to go ahead and do the work myself. There is nothing to lose. I am not gonna pay the $1200 the stealership wanted. I went into the dealership and they started trying to talk me into getting the work done. I told them to F off.

I figure it like this. The car has never had any problems. Nothing major anyway. Had to replace a few alternators, but I have been told that is a common problem. I figure it deserves a chance.

My question is, how do you know what fuel pump you need? Autozone asks if I need CRC or CAC. Where do you find that info? Thanks...

Got her running. Had a friend come over and it took about 3 hours, but we got her going. Runs like a champ now. Little rough, but probably needs a good shot of Chemtool. Boy it is nice to hear her running again. Thanks to all of yall for your help!!! :D