[97EldoCoupe]

It's an Olds Aurora (engines are 95% the same minus the bore size) and he's leaving for his honeymoon, or planning to, but the car will not start. It died on him after his wedding.

1. tested fuel pressure at the rail. 35psi. Not according to specs, but within a few PSI it should still start. It has a new fuel filter, because the old one collapsed and let dirt pass by.

2. Because the filter collapsed, we removed the fuel rail and injectors, cleaned everything, washed the line out and repaced. Checked the FPR as well. Still no start.

3. Spark was verified, but changed the plugs and ICM just in case. Checked the coil pack ground, all was good.

4. Of course, pulled the codes. No codes.

It just won't fire up. Sometimes it wants to, but doesn't. The wierd thing is the plugs don't seem to get wet, yet spark is present. I'm left with two options: Test the injector harness for 12V+ and from there, crank position sensors.

And I stay well away from ether/quick start. I had a bad experience with that one time, never again.

Must be something I'm overlooking or haven't tried yet. Wish I had a tech 2 right now. Lucky for my friend John I have bins and bins full of Northstar parts and sensors.

Ideas?

 

[97EldoCoupe]

I know Caddys have two fuses for the injectors but I couldn't find them for the Aurora. If it's a burnt fuse somewhere I'll be kicking myself. The injectors were spraying two straight jets on my workbench so they were long overdue for a good cleaning.

 

[97EldoCoupe]

Found the fuses, they were good. Tested the injector harness and it has 12V+. Either spark or spark timing now, that's my guess.

 

[97EldoCoupe]

I'm pretty sure (99%) we found the problem. started pumping out the fuel tank to clean the bottom & pick-up sock on the pump, and about 50% of the liquid was water and not gasoline!

Right after the wedding, well within 25 miles or so, the car just up and dies. Does this sound like a coincidence? Sounds like someone didn't want them to go on their honeymoon....:want:

All that time spent on diagnosis, and trying to get it running, and it looks like it was someone's idea of a wedding gift....

 

[Ranger]

50% water?! That sucks! Seems a little more than coincidental and certainly was no accident or condensation.

 

[zonie77]

Old boyfriend/Old girlfriend ?? Practical joker in the bunch?

Too bad it fell on you to find the problem!

 

[Ranger]

That would be one poor "practical joke".

 

[97EldoCoupe]

Yeah. I was the best man at the wedding, which recently changed from another friend of his because they got a bit upset with each other. He never showed even as a spectator....I won't point fingers but that certainly was no accident.

Cleaned the tank bottom, there was a bit of sediment and dirt in the bottom as well so it was a good idea anyways. Re-installed the pump, new clean fuel, purged the line and cleared the rest of the water/moisture/dirt from the line, and changed the plugs once again to NGK platinums (friend's on a budget, and I'm out of AC's) that I had from a parts car.

A bit of cranking got it fired right up, and after about 30 seconds or so it smoothed out. I haven't checked the fuel pressure again but it doesn't seem to lack at all under WOT so a new pump can wait for now. I once had a 4.0 Aurora running with only 8 psi in the fuel system. Ran like $h!t but nevertheless, it ran.

 

[Krashed989]

Wow... That really sucks. I hope that doesn't happen to me when I eventually get married... At least there wasn't really any damage.