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General => IHADAV8 Playground => Topic started by: gordyzx9r on April 09 2008, 05:04:38 AM

Title: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 09 2008, 05:04:38 AM
So, my GN is dead...actuall y it's been dead for a couple of months now but my father was convinced he could get it running again (remember, I live across the sea...).  Anyways, he drove it for it's weekly run to keep the juices flowing and everything was fine.  He put it back in the garage, and then remembered he needed to move it the opposite side...but it wouldn't start.  It would crank, but no fire.

First things he checked were for spark and fuel, and it has both of those.  It has all the dummy lights it's supposed to have.  It didn't throw any codes on the scan master.

Replaced the cam sensor and crankshaft sensor, still won't fire.  

So, off to Don Lee's with it and let's hope it won't cost me an arm and a leg.  I don't have time to wrench on it when I get there at the end of May, I need it to be running so I can put it in the trailer and haul ass to the East Coast.  

So, what do you think the malfunctioning piece is?  

To me, it's got to be something electrical, a sensor, a switch...somet hing like that, but now I have no clue as to which one.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Recklessrob on April 09 2008, 01:02:06 PM
How did your dad check for fuel ? Does he know how to properly install a cam sensor ? I'm still guessing a fuel problem.
Did he check both fuel pressure and injector pulse ?
The cam sesor may have caused the injector pulse to go away, and subsequently
mis0installing it may have kept it away.
try giving it a shot of carb cleaner through a vac line with the cam sensor unplugged
and see if it starts.
Title: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: 87natty on April 09 2008, 04:57:20 PM
I'm leaning towards MAF, if it wants to start and sputters out. And true, fuel pressure being there is always good, but how much PSI? Pulsewidth is a good idea, I always forget to check for that.

Hope it doesn't break the bank man. How far you towing that thing?
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 09 2008, 06:36:56 PM
It's not sputtering.  It doesn't fire at all, the starter turns but that's it.  

He checked the fuel pressure at the rail and it was good.  

He did not check injector pulse, and to be honest I didn't even think of that so I'll go research that.  

I also have one of those limp home cam sensor plug in's from Casper's and same thing.  

I don't think it'll be too expensive, IMO it's something electrical and I have spares of most every electrical sensor in the engine bay.  

My trailer got into town, so he's using the trailer to move it, not tow it.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Recklessrob on April 09 2008, 07:45:57 PM
Have him check for a blown fuse while hes looking.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 10 2008, 03:19:33 AM
Quote from: "Recklessrob @ Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:45 pm"
Have him check for a blown fuse while hes looking.

My money is on this
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 10 2008, 04:21:48 AM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:19 am"
Quote from: "Recklessrob @ Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:45 pm"
Have him check for a blown fuse while hes looking.

My money is on this


which fuse?  The fusible links from the starter?  Or in the actual fuse box?
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: DCEPTCN on April 10 2008, 03:39:28 PM
I'm on the fuse wagon as well. This once happened to me and I felt pretty dumb when I had to call some friends and admit what happened. My *first* stop on the hunt for why it wouldn't start was the fusebox, but I didn't find anything. Finally, after months of trying everything else, I opted to start all over again. Sure enough, there was a 20 amp (I think) with a *really* small fracture in it. Maybe it was the fuse for the injectors? I'll take a look, but in the meantime I vote with Jim and Rawb. My symptoms were the same.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 10 2008, 03:52:44 PM
If the car cranks over than it's not the fusible link to the start. If it was that it won't crank at all.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: DCEPTCN on April 10 2008, 03:55:37 PM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:52 pm"
If the car cranks over than it's not the fusible link to the start. If it was that it won't crank at all.
You're right, huh? Isn't it something like, if your fusible link is shot, you have lights and nothing else or vice versa?
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 10 2008, 11:47:24 PM
Quote from: "DCEPTCN @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:55 pm"
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:52 pm"
If the car cranks over than it's not the fusible link to the start. If it was that it won't crank at all.
You're right, huh? Isn't it something like, if your fusible link is shot, you have lights and nothing else or vice versa?

Crap now I can't remember for sure..
Steve's site should have the anwser tho http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/
Title: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: straycat990 on April 12 2008, 09:25:33 AM
Could be the orange wire (I think not exactly sure on the color) on the ecm has come loose.  I have seen that problem on several GNs.  Just check the ecm plugs.  Whatever the problem is ... I would say it is something very simple.
Title: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Recklessrob on April 13 2008, 09:16:30 PM
Quote from: "straycat990 @ Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:25 am"
Could be the orange wire (I think not exactly sure on the color) on the ecm has come loose.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 15 2008, 07:24:05 PM
There was a short in the wiring harness at the ignition module.

While it was there, made sure that the crank shaft sensor my dad installed himself was done properly.

Replaced the cam sensor cap with that new LED one from Casper's since I had it sitting there in a box anyways.

Had them replace some hardware on the brakes since my dad said there was something worn out at the pedal which kept the brakes light on and had been killing my battery.   It wasn't the switch, it was something to do with what holds the switch in place...whatev er, nickel dime.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 16 2008, 01:15:43 PM
Glad to hear it was something small  :supz:
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 27 2008, 11:20:36 PM
Well, it's dead again...

It was a nice day out, so he took it for a quick drive in OB and it flamed out on him.  When he went to restart it, it backfired.  

Wonderful...

Call AAA, tow it, put it back in the car trailer, and it'll get dropped off again at the shop.

I really, really need this car to be running right when I take it back East.
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 28 2008, 12:15:42 AM
Maybe a bad MAF
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on April 28 2008, 11:42:36 PM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:15 pm"
Maybe a bad MAF


Well, if it is...I've got 4 NIB OEM MAFs sitting on a shelf there.  But I just have a feeling it's going to be something major.  I hate not being there.  He's not having luck with vehicles this year.

His expedition was rear ended on the highway (he was at a standstill and the Camry hit him doing 65).  His brand new Volvo that the company gave him was just hit by a drunk driver (who also managed to take out 5 other cars parked along the side of the road as well).
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 29 2008, 12:12:53 AM
I know someone I'm not riding with  :bigeyes;  But then again I've heard nothing but complaints about my driving lately...YOU DRIVE LIKE LOCAL   :rofl;
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Recklessrob on April 29 2008, 12:54:20 PM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:12 pm"
I know someone I'm not riding with
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 29 2008, 11:09:00 PM
Quote from: "Recklessrob @ Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:54 am"
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:12 pm"
I know someone I'm not riding with  :bigeyes;  But then again I've heard nothing but complaints about my driving lately...YOU DRIVE LIKE LOCAL   :rofl;

Are you sure they didn't say, "You drive like loco !" ? :rofl;

Local, loco... same, same

Friends girlfriend was riding with us, she was sitting up front giving directions and looked at me and said "My Mom and my Father have only one child, it's me"
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: TSM Girl on April 29 2008, 11:25:00 PM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ April 29th 2008"
Quote from: "Recklessrob @ Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:54 am"
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:12 pm"
I know someone I'm not riding with
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: Ttype83 on April 29 2008, 11:40:33 PM
Quote from: "TSM Girl @ Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:25 pm"
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ April 29th 2008"
Quote from: "Recklessrob @ Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:54 am"
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:12 pm"
I know someone I'm not riding with  :bigeyes;  But then again I've heard nothing but complaints about my driving lately...YOU DRIVE LIKE LOCAL   :rofl;

Are you sure they didn't say, "You drive like loco !" ? :rofl;

Local, loco... same, same

Friends girlfriend was riding with us, she was sitting up front giving directions and looked at me and said "My Mom and my Father have only one child, it's me"



Well Jim, if that is the case,  Yep, she was telling you that you drive "LOCO".   :rofl;


LOL, 2 of they got together (didn't know each other) and started bitching about my driving while we were on the way to a shopping mall. So just to help out, I unbuckeled my seat belt and started getting out and said fine you drive...Oh left it in drive so it would roll... The look on their faces was great  :evil;
Title: Re: It's dead Jim...or guess what's wrong with Gordy's GN
Post by: gordyzx9r on May 05 2008, 09:22:21 PM
Quote from: "Ttype83 @ Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:15 pm"
Maybe a bad MAF


It was the crankshaft sensor that my father installed...a misaligned pin or something like that.  While it's in the shop, I'm having a few things that I've had sitting around installed (the complete set of RJC pulleys, the ATR Charcoal Canister Relocator, Mini-Starter, Casper's Improved Ground Modification Kit, and Engine Bay Mounted Brace Kit).
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