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Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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ESG927
New User
Jan 25, 2012, 12:35 PM
Post #1 of 5
(2217 views)
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Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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Hi! I hope I can give enough info here that someone can recognize the problem and help solve this problem.
1998 Buick Skylark, 3.3L V6, with somewhere around 236,000 miles on it.
The car sat for several weeks this summer due to some bad brakes that my husband didn't immediately fix. Then the car wouldn't start. Or rather, it'd start, run for a few seconds and die. During a very hot spell, it started and ran so hubby moved it and fixed the brakes. Then it wouldn't start again. He suspected a bad fuel pump....his theory that the temps in the 90s helped build pressure in the fuel tank and that's why it started. The car was pushed back into position and continued to sit for months. Hubby would try to start it at least once a week but with the same start, run for 2 seconds, and die routine.
Recently had the car towed to a garage where our mechanic started looking at it in his spare time. At first, the car's computer would not let the diagnostic machine connect. Then it did or it did after Mechanic got it started with some ether (not sure of how it all went down). Not sure if a code came up, but Mechanic somehow has narrowed it down to a security and/or ignition issue. Back when I was still driving it, I could pull my key out after starting it. Later, hubby's key was the same way. Mechanic replaces one part of ignition and then the whole thing. Mechanic says the fuel pump is fine, adequate pressure.
Car still will not start without ether. But it will start and will run, but cannot be restarted. Mechanic has run through a series of events to supposedly reset the security issue. He says this has worked on other GM cars but it won't on this one.
I believe hubby charged the battery after it sat during the summer. Perhaps this somehow contributed to the problem?
Obviously I don't want to invest a lot of money into this old thing; I gave it up years ago but my construction-worker husband likes it as a work car. Our mechanic only is charging us for 1/2hr labor and the ignition parts so far. Mechanic rides a dirt bike (as do we) and we have a private motocross track. Yeah, it works out well, lol. This is more of a I'm-gonna-figure-this-out-if-it-kills-me type of deal for him, lol. And it's not a high priority -- he and his guy just work on it when they're slow in the shop.
Any advice or suggestions?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2012, 12:43 PM
Post #2 of 5
(2198 views)
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Re: Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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Do you have a security light on or flashing when you try to start it?
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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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ESG927
New User
Jan 25, 2012, 1:03 PM
Post #3 of 5
(2186 views)
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Re: Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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Hubby says the dashboard has a short in it, so either all the lights are on or none -- BUT, prior to the recent problem, the car ran just fine with the dashboard light problem. So, the answer is, we don't exactly know, but the Mechanic is almost 100% sure it's a security issue since the fuel injectors are shut down after 2 seconds. If you give it ether to keep it running, a few seconds later it overrides the system and stays running. But won't restart again (without ether again).
Hubby adds that it has a new throttle position sensor (this has been replaced at least twice before in its lifetime).
Probably unrelated, but the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light has been on for years (when the dashboard works, lol) because it kept burning up both oxygens sensors, one of which is expensive. After replacing them both a few times (and the catalytic converter once), I got tired of it, and just let it go. It never seemed to affect the performance significantly. We don't have emissions testing so the Light was not a big deal.
Thanks for any help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2012, 1:31 PM
Post #4 of 5
(2175 views)
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Re: Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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And you're surprised that you have an engine performance problem?
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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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ESG927
New User
Jan 25, 2012, 1:53 PM
Post #5 of 5
(2163 views)
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Re: Security issue on 1998 Buick Skylark
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nope. not surprised in the slightest. Thanks.
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