crank no start

[98bonneville#2]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

I recently bought a 1998 Bonneville SE out of state. The man I bought it from said the car had gotten hot and would no longer start.

I had the car transported close to my home, the truck driver was a little apprehensive about dropping the car off at my house.
So we agreed to a drop off location that was about 3 miles from my home. When the transporter got in the car and cranked it over it made a big pop sound,
but it started, so after the pleasantries and money exchange I jump in the car and drove it home, parked it and shut it off. Later that day I started the car and
let in run for 45 minutes or a little longer , the car was running ok but with a little hesitation/miss at a low rev.

A couple days later I jump in the car and tried to start it and it would only crank but no start.

I've replaced the crank and cam position sensor, the ICM and coil packs and the wire set that runs in between them.

There was some coolant on top of the lower intake so I replaced the lower and upper intake gaskets, also the plastic plenum.
So now when I crank the car over it will crank and crank but I'll get nothing from it other than a little backfire from the throttle body.

Any suggestions on what I should do/check would be greatly appreciated.

Also I checked the fuses with a test light and they looked ok. And I replaced the fuel filter.

[J Wikoff]

The backfire makes me think the fuel pressure regulator could be an issue. I think there are instructions for testing those in the tech info section.

Or maybe the injectors. You can test the injectors by putting a 194 bulb in the connectors one at a time and cranking. If the bulb flashes, that particular injectors getting pulse at least. Or maybe one is leaky.

[98bonneville#2]

@ J Wikoff, I'll give your suggestions a try and see what I can come up with.

Also I failed to mention that I bought a ECM from Flagship, I installed it, but the weird part is the security light didn't stay illuminated.
I attempted to start the car but there was no change in behavior of the engine. In did the whole relearn procedure still the same crank no start.

[95naSTA]

When the fuel pressure regulator fails it's common for it to leak fuel out of the vacuum port. I would pull the vac line to check.

The 194 bulb method is a good one. I diag'd an EPROM issue that way.

[98bonneville#2]

I checked for a pulse with a 194 bulb and I am getting a light pulse.

After a visual check and no notice of any gasoline or any smell, I guess the fuel regulator is ok.

I'm a little perplexed right now as what I should do next.

I don't currently don't have yet, but I bought a compression tester, fuel pressure tester and a borescope online and will do some more testing after I receive those items.

btw sometimes I'll hear 2 or 3 beeps coming from the dash after I release the ignition switch. I'm don't know if those beeps mean the ECM is recognizing and indicating
some kind of problem in the system.

[J Wikoff]

Don't assume the fuel pressure regulator is ok until you use the pressure tester.

[98bonneville#2]

Sorry about the long delay in a response and updates to my post.

After all the diagnostic tests and process of eliminations I've done.
I replaced the plugs and wires then my car would start but run terrible.
I noticed a popping sound out the exhaust and the check engine light was flashing.
Found out 2 of the fuel injectors were stuck open.
I decided to replace all 6 fuel injectors.
Also the coolant temperature sensor was malfunctioning, I replaced it.

I probably replaced about $200 worth of parts/sensors that I didn't need to
due to not having the proper diagnostic equipment at the time.

Anyways after all the needless parts and sensors, plus the other things I did (stated above) my car is running good now. It does burn a little oil though.

Thanks for the help and suggestions, and I hope this info may be some help to others searching for info about Bonneville and other GM 3.8 liter cars.

[J Wikoff]

I'm glad you got it figured out!

[95naSTA]

Glad you got it running.