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'* your backyard test

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?