My '89 buick lesabre is having a problem. I bought it recently with 135k miles on it (138k now). Up until a few days ago it ran fine with now problems, I changed the spark plugs and wires. A few days after that when I went to drive it, it wouldn't start. I was with some friends so I decided to come back for it the following day.

The next day I went to try again/pick up my car and she started right up. I figured it was just something minor last night. Only to find out that the car would only make it a mile or so down the road then die.

I've now double checked the firing order of with wires and plugs as well as the gapping. Changed the crank shift positioner had to put a new starter on.

If I try to drive it I'll only make it a few miles down the road before it dies again. I don't have an rpms meter on my dash but I'd say at about 3,000 (sitting in park) it will shudder.

Please, any and all information is appreciated.

Thanks,
jonsannoyingbucik.

 

When it dies and won't restart, you might try a shot of carb and choke cleaner into the intake and see if it starts then. I suggest carb and choke cleaner because if starting fluid was used, most folks use too much and that can cause engine damage.
If the engine starts for a few seconds we would suspect a fuel supply problem. If it doesn't make any attempt at all to start, then we would suspect an ignition system problem.

Depending on which result we get would determine where we go next.