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97 bonneville wont start


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rsewellh
Novice

Feb 27, 2011, 9:58 AM

Post #1 of 10 (4775 views)
97 bonneville wont start Sign In

1997 Pontiac Bonneville will not start
Engine 3.8L V6 OHV 12V
History
Has leak that gets back floor board wet when it rains, this has never caused any problems.
Have had issue where security system shut car down and would not start until 3-5 min passed but then key would not do anything.
problem
2 days ago it started smelling like fuel when I started it and was rough idling, but after that it ran fine.
It smelled and acted like it was flooding.
This morning it would not start.
Turns over great but does not even act like it is firing
Put in new spark plugs and air filter, still won’t start
Checked spark by putting plug in wire and turned over, had good spark
Old plugs were not wet, did not show signs of being fouled
Pulled cap on fuel pressure gauge hook up valve and have fuel there. Pushed needle while turning over.
Checked vacuum line on fuel diaphragm, no sigh of fuel in vacuum line
Did the finger check for compression and it blew by.
I can hear the fuel pump come on when I turn ignition on.
What I have not done
have not Checked fuel pressure, do not have pressure gauge. checked, 15 psi will ignition on not turning engine over
have not Checked compression, do not have pressure gauge.
I have basic auto electrical ohm meter tester but have not tested anything.
i have pulse at the injectors
next step
any help on what my next step would be is greatly appriciated!!!
at this point i am thinking change fuel filter, check fuel pressure and do compresion check
any other ideas before i go buy soem test equiptment?

update
checked fuel pressure 15 psi will ignition on not turning engine over both before and after fuel filter replacement
replaced fuel filter
checked injectors and have strobe on all


(This post was edited by rsewellh on Feb 27, 2011, 4:17 PM)


autojoe
User

Feb 27, 2011, 11:21 AM

Post #2 of 10 (4769 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

fuel pressure would be nice to know.also injector pulses using an inexpensive noid light.try holding pedal to floor while cranking and see if it helps...doing this will put pcm into a clear flood mode and lean out injectors to 10 to 1.also try spraying some carb cleaner into the throttle body and see if it trys to start or starts and stalls...if it starts and stalls indicates a fuel problem.when you turn key to on position listen for fuel pump to run for 2 seconds at fuel tank could remove gas cap.then with engine cranking fuel pump should be running.spark is crisp blue continious at all plugs?


(This post was edited by autojoe on Feb 27, 2011, 11:25 AM)


rsewellh
Novice

Feb 27, 2011, 3:06 PM

Post #3 of 10 (4760 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

fuel pressure with ignition on is 15
does nto change when cranking engine over


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Feb 27, 2011, 3:57 PM

Post #4 of 10 (4754 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

15 PSI is low.. are you sure its not leaking fuel that might be why your smelling it.
Could be leak, plugged filter, Fuel pressure regulator or pump


(This post was edited by zmame on Feb 27, 2011, 4:01 PM)


rsewellh
Novice

Feb 27, 2011, 4:12 PM

Post #5 of 10 (4746 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

i replaced the fuel filter, i dont see any fuel leaking, only smelled like fuel when it was idling and only when you fisrts started it, smelled and sounded liek it was flooding. now that it will not start at all there is no fuel odor.
old fuel filter did not appear to be clogged,
could a regulator cause the low fuel pressure?


(This post was edited by rsewellh on Feb 27, 2011, 4:13 PM)


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Feb 27, 2011, 4:18 PM

Post #6 of 10 (4738 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

sometime the diaphragm in the regulator can leak causing it to leak past and be sucked up by the vacuum hose into the intake.. which would also explain fuel smell.. take the vacuum line off the regulator run your finger across the spout and see if it smells like gas. you can also leave it off turn car over and see if any comes out.

also the diaphragm can stick causing it to let to much fuel back to the tank.


(This post was edited by zmame on Feb 27, 2011, 4:19 PM)


rsewellh
Novice

Feb 27, 2011, 4:25 PM

Post #7 of 10 (4732 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

i removed the vacum line from the regulator and there is no sign of fuel.
it does nto smell liek fuel any longer, it only smelled like it was flooding a couple days ago when it was idleing.
i have strobe at the injectors
old fuel filter did nto appear to be clogged


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Feb 27, 2011, 4:32 PM

Post #8 of 10 (4728 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

If its possible, if you have an adapter to fit the pressure line at the filter that will let you know if you have good pressure before the regulator.


rsewellh
Novice

Feb 27, 2011, 5:26 PM

Post #9 of 10 (4723 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

it tried to fire now, but still wont start. will try more tomorrow,
no fuel coming out of the regulator when i disonected the vacum line
it feels like it is trying to start so may try spraying fluid in the intake and check pressure by filter.


(This post was edited by rsewellh on Feb 27, 2011, 5:28 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 27, 2011, 5:40 PM

Post #10 of 10 (4712 views)
Re: 97 bonneville wont start Sign In

This car is never going to start with 15PSI of fuel pressure. It's likely a bad fuel pump but if you can find a place to pinch off the return line, you can find out by looking for the pressure to spike up when the return is restricted and the pump is running. If it doesn't spike up well beyond 50PSI, then the pump is bad.



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