87 LE won't start

[sandness]

My father in law's Bonneville isn't starting. Mother in law said she saw a little smoke under the hood coming from the catalytic converter and thinks that is the problem- right. To prove that theory wrong I tried starting it without the tailpipe hooked up and of course no change. It squirted up gas from the valve on the fuel rail. I popped out the plugs, they are like new. They were also all wet from gas trying to start. I hooked a plug up to a wire and touched the plug to the block and had my father in law turn it over. I saw no spark. We replace the ignition coil module. Same test- sparks good. However, still no start even though plugs are getting wet. Is there any simple test for other possible causes like crankshaft position sensors or oil pressure sensors?

Any other ideas would be great.

Thanks

[Bonneville92V688]

Hmm...how many miles? This is the old 3.8 LG3 meaning that I would pull the oil cap to see if the rockers are moving while cranking. The nylon cam gear may have failed. I would check that before looking at anything else because it is all too common. I just replaced a timing set on a LG3 not long ago.

[myfirstbonnie]

Hold the accelerator to the floor while starting. Every time you try to start it, the injectors are pulsed to "prime" the engine and will cause flooding. By holding the accelerator down, it will not do this. Make sure you hold it to the floor and then let up if it starts so you do not over rev the engine.

[sandness]

Thanks for the ideas. It has 103,000mi, so it is 60k less than my 04. I'm jealous.

I'll check for rocker movement. I assume there are separate cam gears for each side of the motor? So if there is movement on the front half, could the back half be out of commission?

I'll try starting with it floored. I didn't do this as I assumed it would react somewhat like a carbereted motor and cause a flood. Thanks for the info.

[myfirstbonnie]

No, only one cam in the center of the block. If there is rocker movement in the front, there will be in the back.

[sandness]

I checked there is rocker movement. I also tested for codes and there were none. How would I check the timing? Or iss there anything else that it clould be?

[myfirstbonnie]

When you replaced the ignition module, was it a new one or used?

[sandness]

It was new.

[Djkthegame]

do you still have the magnavox coil pack on it, or the delco II. is it cranking but wont turn over? I have an 87 LE too and also have that years gm service manual for it. my 87 has only 77,000 on it and I just recently had to replace the crank sensor on mine.

[sandness]

I'm not sure what the coils are. The replacement pack was just a $55 generic from O'Reilly's. I am leaning towards a crank sensor too as it is turning over, but no start. Would I be able to replace the crank sensor with the motor in the car?

My father-in-law gave in and bought a 95 Corsica 4 banger to replace the car. He still has the Bonneville. He is thinking of junking it- they'd probably give him $125 or so. I'd like to offer to purchase the car; will have to see what the wife thinks. I have replaced the starter and alternator recently, has new plugs, he replaced some brake lines, and 15" tires are pretty cheap.

[Djkthegame]

well in order to replace the crank sensor the crankshaft pulley has to be removed and the new crank sensor has to be gapped when its installed. I would suggest you take it to a mechanic and have it done unless you know your engines, and if you dont know what coils are i wouldn't try doing that yourself. no offense of course i took mine to the shop for the crank sensor also...

[sandness]

I wasn't sure if you had to pull the motor to change the sensor or not. And it is moot point now as he has already junked the car. Oh well. I didn't say I didn't know what coils are, I just am not familiar with the older 3800 coils. They were all in a single unit just like the OEM I removed- are those Magnavox? Are the Delco II's the individual coils used in later Bonnevilles?

[horners87pa]

I saw no spark. We replace the ignition coil module. Same test- sparks good. However, still no start even though plugs are getting wet. Is there any simple test for other possible causes like crankshaft position sensors or oil pressure sensors?

Any other ideas would be great.

Thanks

if its getting good spark now that would meen the crank sensor is working would it not?

What about the ghey cam magnet ?