Starting issues with '88 Bonneville?

Question

If it's been sitting for a while, it will start fine. If it's been started/running recently, it will not start. It will turn over at the correct speed, but will not start.

We've checked the battery. The alternator is still relatively new. The oil was changed recently. We replaced the starter kit a couple years ago. I think that's everything...

Answer 1

Sounds like the cam or crank sensor....shoot some ether into it and see if you have any fire. If not, start with the ignition system. If it fires and runs, find out why you're not getting gas. If it shoots flames out of the intake, check the timing set. Good luck.

Answer 2

You may be experiencing a form of vapor lock. This can happen when you try to restart a recently run and still hot engine, known as a "hot soak". Fuel in the injector rails tries to boil and percolate back to the fuel tank. A good fuel system prevents this by holding pressure after the engine is shut off. If the pump check valve (part of the pump), injector or pressure regulator leak internally or externally, the pressure drops and fuel begins to boil. Soon you have a fuel rail full of vapor. Injectors cannot meter in enough vapor to run an engine, they need liquid fuel. In addition the fuel pump must be able to develop enough flow and pressure to purge any vapor out of the fuel rail by overcoming the pressure regulator's spring pressure and it must do this under cranking conditions when battery power is lower. This is one possible cause. You have left out one helpful bit of info: how do you get it to start? Do you have to wait 'til it cools? Will it start if you cycle the key off and try again? ( Idle Air Control reset)

Answer 3

do not use starting fluid --use carb cleaner spray it into throttle body at half throttle and see if it takes off --could be a map sensor

Answer 4

check thr fuel,you could have bad fuel if its been sitting for a while,could have moisture in it.