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psamp48
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Nov 16, 2010, 7:10 AM
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1995 Lumina won't start
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1995 Chevrolet Lumina
3.1 litre 293,000 kms
My son's 1995 Lumina died in traffic yesterday afternoon. He had it towed home where I looked at it. It has gas (good fuel pressure), spark, and the battery is good. It turns over but doesn't seem to fire at all. Is there a simple way to check if the injectors are firing, or if the timing chain has slipped.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Nov 16, 2010, 9:30 AM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Don't overdo it but does it sound normal while cranking? If it jumped a tooth or two on timing chain they sound funky and would have low compression. I don't know of this engine to eat timing chains so easy but anything is possible. It is an interference engine and will damage it badly if it really does jump the chain too much - valves would crash into pistons.
See if it will respond for a few seconds with starting fluid down throttle body. If that works then check injectors with a noid light to see if they are getting juice.
I don't have the spec handy but what is the fuel pressure?
T
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psamp48
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Nov 16, 2010, 10:12 AM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Tom,
Thanks for the response, it does sound normal when cranking. I haven't checked the actual pressure yet, but I will do that tomorrow. The car just died during an idle at a stop light, so my instinct is that it wouldn't be the valve timing, but who knows. Don't they usually run rough for a while? I will try the starter fluid as well. I don't want to spend a lot of time (or money) on the car, as it has numerous other problems as well.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Nov 16, 2010, 11:43 AM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Yes - get an actual fuel pressure reading and that it can hold. Just KOEO (key on engine off) has to have enough. Injected cars are fussy that it be in spec which I hope someone will post as I don't know it! Starting fluid test will be informative,
T
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Hammer Time
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Nov 16, 2010, 11:55 AM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Fuel System Pressure [1] 40.5 to 47.0 psi
[1]. With engine "OFF", ignition "ON", and the fuel pump running. Fuel system pressure with engine running at idle speed will be lower.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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psamp48
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Nov 16, 2010, 1:44 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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The manual says between 42-47 psi
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Hammer Time
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Nov 16, 2010, 1:53 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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The real manual says exactly what I posted
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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psamp48
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Nov 17, 2010, 2:08 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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I checked the fuel pressure - it is good. It runs with the starter fluid. I found out that the fuel injector 15 amp fuse keeps blowing. It even blows with the injector harness undone. Where do you think the short would be?
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Hammer Time
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Nov 17, 2010, 2:25 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Here's what's on that circuit
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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psamp48
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Nov 17, 2010, 2:39 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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Do you think it would be the camshaft or crankshaft sensors, as I have the injector harness undone?
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Hammer Time
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Nov 17, 2010, 3:38 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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That's what you have to find out. You have to just keep disconnecting things until the short goes away. It could be a bare wire along the way too.
It's easier is you substitute a circuit breaker for the fuse until you find the short.
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psamp48
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Nov 18, 2010, 12:08 PM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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It's the camshaft sensor. It runs with it unplugged. There are no codes (MIL). Can I drive it until I get another one?
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Hammer Time
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Nov 18, 2010, 1:39 PM
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Have you tried starting it a second time? Some of them will run until shut off and not restart without a cam sensor.
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psamp48
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Nov 18, 2010, 6:07 PM
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Re: 1995 Lumina won't start
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It does start multiple times.I will be junking the car soon but I need to drive it for a week or so.
Thanks for all your help, I am always impressed with your expertise.
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Hammer Time
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Nov 18, 2010, 6:12 PM
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I don't think the cam sensor is that expensive. Although is may be running, it is not running normally. Without the cam sensor, you do not have sequential injector firing and they will all fire simultaneously without that sensor and that will rob you of power and fuel mileage.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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