quick "cranks but doesn't start" checklist

[robertg]

1990 lumina 3.1/4 speed (i bought a replacement for my black lumina. $250!)

 

i initially replaced the fuel pump after determining that was the cause of the new car's not running.

 

i'm getting 40 psi at the regulator, however it does drop down after about 15 to 20 minutes and hold around 30 psi.

 

with the key on, engine off, i don't have a check engine light coming on. i switched ecm's between the two cars. i still have no check engine light.

 

 

i'm running out of ideas. any insight? i don't have a scan tool to run the checks that are suggested by my gm service manual.

 

thanks!

 

[jeremy]

got spark?

[Dark Ride]

first check your ECM Fuse, no SES light sounds like no power to ECM.

 

I'm assuming that you know for sure that your second ECM is good.

 

second, Check codes, you don't need a scan tool, a paper clip or chunk of wire will work.

 

http://www.w-body.com/ecm-codes.html

 

third, it could be injectors, you might want to try to ohm those next. 12-14 is good

 

Hope this helps you out,

Mitch

[jeremy]

you also might want to check to make sure there is a bulb in the cluster for the light

[Bossman429]

Sounds like you're going to need to get that SES light coming on. No ECM Power, and nothing is gonna happen, no matter what you try.

Check over ECM fuses as Dark Ride suggested. It's not probably likely that you have two retarded ECMs assuming that the one you checked with came out of a running car

The lack of SES light HAS to be at least one of your problems.

 

After you get an SES light to come on, if it still doesn't start check for spark.

 

Work from step one, and step one is to make sure the ECM is working and getting power.[br]Posted on: April 26, 2006, 09:43:08 PM_________________________________________________

you also might want to check to make sure there is a bulb in the cluster for the light

I was about to say that too!

[robertg]

there's no spark from what i can tell.

 

it didn't occur to me to check the ecm fuse. duh.

 

everything in the underhood electrical center looks fine.

 

i'm confident that the second ecm is a good working unit. it came out of my old black lumina.

 

someday i'll get this figured out.

 

 

thanks guys!

[joey b]

I think the fuses for the engine control are under the hood on the passenger side.

[Crazy K]

ecm fuse would be in the glovebox. on the 3.1...

 

check for the bulb!

 

i would assume someone yanked it.

 

I would suggest the most likely dead car problem is the crank sensor.

then the ICM.

 

most likely the bulb for the check guage is burnt out or removed. someone didn;t wanna make it run right.