Car died, won't start

[tallbump]

In a hurry to get to work, so you're getting a rough post. Sorry. Copy and paste from my Facebook comments trying to get help

Car died out on me. had the battery tested, it was shot. Put a new one in. It's getting fuel at the rail. It's cranking like it want's to start, but it won't. A few people listened to it, suggested a coil or the coils could be shot. I have another coil (at least 1) so hoping that is all it is. I am really losing patience with this car. I can't afford a mechanic. and I HATE working on cars. I do it because I have to, but I;d rather not ever do anything on it again lol

Got some advice to test the coils, so I did.

On the middle coil, one post had a very small spark, the other post had a great spark. On the top coil there was nothing on either. I have one coil. going to try replacing the top one tomorrow and see how that goes. I'll try the other one if it still seems off

Ok. I replaced that coil with the other one I had. Still won't start. Haven't had a chance to actually test it to see if it sparked, i will do that in a bit. Suggestions either way? Don't know how good that other one is. If the new one I put on isn't sparking, it could be the ICM right?

[nos4blood70]

Sounds like ICM is the next place to check.

[tallbump]

Ok, checked the new coil. It sparked BUT the car also started. Honestly, I was just interested in looking for the spark I didn't even realized it started so I told my wife to shut it off. I was going to check the other sot on that coil. It started right back up, but it's still running REAL rough. It idles rough, and when you give it gas, it wants to die. It sputters and the battery gauge starts to drop.

[1oldman]

As the engine RPMs drop, so will the voltage output from the alternator. Get out the FSMs, if you have them, and follow the flow charts. I only have them for a 92 SSE. - BC

[tallbump]

Don't have a FSM.

But we're talking serious drop, like wants to die.

[1oldman]

just curious, how long since you replaced the fuel filter? - BC

[nos4blood70]

Clogged cat maybe? Fuel filter is a good one too.

[tallbump]

I think the fuel filter was done when I put the new pump in about a year ago.

Replaced another coil. Definitely getting good spark now. Idles pretty good, but will eventually drop and die.

BUT I think it may be out of gas now LOL

I was low when all these problems started. I added about a gallon, and didn't go anywhere. But I think it ran out now.

Goign to try putting a few gallons in and see what that does

[tallbump]

Car is running much better. Still not perfect, but much better. Still wants to die when you REALLY get on it. Like 4500 RPMS. But up til then it is perfect. It started rough at lower RPMS but just seems like it blew some junk out. I id end up running it out of gas so I am sure that probably didn't help (beside obviously needing gas LOL) Anyone recommend a good fuel injector cleaner?

What else could cause it to want to die at the high rpms?

[1oldman]

Car is running much better. Still not perfect, but much better. Still wants to die when you REALLY get on it. Like 4500 RPMS. But up til then it is perfect. It started rough at lower RPMS but just seems like it blew some junk out. I id end up running it out of gas so I am sure that probably didn't help (beside obviously needing gas LOL) Anyone recommend a good fuel injector cleaner?

What else could cause it to want to die at the high rpms?

If it's been a year since you replaced the fuel filter, and you've been running the car with a very low tank of gasoline, it wouldn't hurt to replace the fuel filter. That was one of the first things done to the '05 se when I bought it last year. I was shocked at HOW much trash was in it and it still ran. It was suppose to be a fairly new filter. - BC

[tallbump]

Came out this mornign and it woudln't start.

I will try the fuel filter becuase it's only about $10. Of ocurse, i'll check to see if it is gettign fuel at teh rail.

If it's not the filter, I don't know. I might be done.

It's a 98 and pushing 170K. It can't run forever. My PA inspection is up at teh endo f Octboer and those can be brutal. It might need too much to make it worth fixing.

[1oldman]

Came out this mornign and it woudln't start.

I will try the fuel filter becuase it's only about $10. Of ocurse, i'll check to see if it is gettign fuel at teh rail.

If it's not the filter, I don't know. I might be done.

It's a 98 and pushing 170K. It can't run forever. My PA inspection is up at teh endo f Octboer and those can be brutal. It might need too much to make it worth fixing.

You've got another 100,000 miles left in it all things being equal. Don't give up yet. It'll probably cost you $5,000 to replace it with a descent car/truck. - BC

[tallbump]

I was hoping to replace it with a truck at tax time. Was hoping for a Silverado and budgeting about $5K, so you're spot on LOL

I don't want to give up, but budget is tight now and I can't keep throwing $30-$50 parts at it hoping to fix it.

[tallbump]

Sorry, forgot to update.

Ended up getting it running. After a new battery, plugs, wires, and 2 coils, it ended up being the ICM.

Got it fixed and then sold it within a week.

Hated to see it go, but it was time. It was going to need more money than I had for the PA annual inspection. The inspection itself runs about $50 and I knew it would need at least 2 tires. I just don't have it.

Plus, we needed to come up with about $650 for my daughter's tuition. Her education has to come first. My wife listed it on some online yardsale thing (varagesale) and that same night someone expressed interest. We had it listed for $1250.

They came the next day to look at it. A young couple with a young daughter, husband had lost his job a while ago, car got reop'ed, going through bankruptcy....he got a new job and they had been borrowing her dad's conversion van to get back and forth to work and such....long story short, we agreed to take $700.

The next morning I let them take it to a mechanic to get looked over. He said "where did you find this thing?" he couldn't believe how good of shape it was for a 16 year old car in this part of the country. We met at the notary that night and the wife couldn't wait to drive it home

We still have my wife's/family car, the 05 Equinox. And we have been hugely blessed by a family at our church letting me borrow one of their vehilces. My daily driver is currently an 06 Roadmaster with the 350. That thing is AWESOME. I may jsut end up making him an offer come tax time

Here are a few pics of the car the last night.

This was on the way to the notary



The LAST pic. Just before we went in to sign the paperwork

[SuperHbody]

At the risk of sounding harsh, that is why you bring a vehicle to someone that knows what they're doing. But its good that you got it running and were able to sell it!

[1oldman]

I'm sorry to see the car go. The important thing is you got done what needed to be done. - BC