Hi everyone,
I have a beige 1983 Bonneville with a 3.8 V6. It'* actually my mother'* car, but I work on it whenever needed. It'* a very nice car in good condition, but I have come across a real puzzle with it. It turns over fine, but I can't get it to start. I'm getting gas, spark and air, but nothing'* happening. I checked the trouble codes and got #15 (coolant sensor) and #44 (lean exhuast). I installed new plugs, plug wires, cap, and rotory button with still no luck. The engine was replaced not long before she bought the car and it was running fine for a year when it just would'nt start one day. If anyone has an idea of what this could be, I'd appreciate it greatly. I'm fresh out of ideas.

If the trouble codes are any indication you may be having problems with the fuel system.

I can't help you out...but....

ANOTHER 83!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome!!! Mine'* a dark brown Bonneville Brougham, is yours a regular bonnie or a brougham?

umm i didnt even know a Bonneville that old could throw codes!
I would of guessed timing issues..?

Yup, Pontiac was ahead of their time, even then. They did indeed have a computer analysis port

Okay so maybe i CAN help. i wasn't awake when i posted that last one...

Just got mine back from the shop, with the same issues. My timing was off (she was running to rich at the start) and chugging, hesitating, and not wanting to start.

Start off cheap, if you can get the thing started sometimes, run some carburetor cleaner (get it at Wal-Mart or wherever sells auto parts) through the system, this is an IMMENSE help and will raise your pickup by a LOT. Be warned that it will make your car run a little rougher while it'* going through the system, and also will probably decrease your gas mileage on that tank of gas. It also may cause your car to kick out a little bit of black smoke after she'* just started.

Also, is your automatic choke working right? Or are you flooding the engine when you try to start her?

I also had a minor leak that was messing with things. That was recently fixed, and was connected to the larger problem.

Aaaaand...drumroll please...the major problem...

A part called the canister purge valve. It was stuck. Bad. They replaced it, and all is now well. No more chugging, and she starts right up. She was almost to the point of not starting She was chugging and hesitating, and almost got me hit once because of it

But every car is different, it could be a number of things. Look around and see what'* up.

oh YIKE. Christy made a USEFUL POST...

COOL!

they also had problems with ecm if applicable