my 89 lesabre did that years ago,changing the coil pack,fixed the problem right away.maybe you should check toward that.Idid160000k since and had no other problem with the car up to now.the price you paid for that car sure is worth a little investment.

Update. Huge snow storm hit cleveland burying my Buick. However, one day it started covered with a foot and a half of snow on top of it. I was shocked. I let it sit over night and now I'm back to the same problem. The crank and poof of a backfire and no start. We're looking into the module and the injectors now.

Cleveland... I just bought a car from there.. .Friday 2/16.

Wouldn't suspect the injectors yet.. You can pull a plug and smell for gas when it refused to start.. Google "worn spark plugs" to read them.

Get that ignition module swapped out from a junker. Or you could just take it out, warm it up in the house and put it back in. That would check for "starts when warm".
Also just thinking of a scenario. If you turn on the ignition and wait for 10 minutes before you crank it and flood it, just the electrics of the module might warm it up OR get some HOT water on it.
Close that chapter.

Odds are better that its an item and not a wire.

Also chasing that Crank sensor possibility, pour some very hot water on the harmonic wheel sensor area. Its about at the 3 o'clock position way down there. You may need a hose for that.

Good Luck



Edited by: bassasasin

I had that problem twice with my 91. The first time I replaced the sensor in the intake and that fixed the cold start problem for at least a year. The I had to replace the coil packs, one set would crap ut when it was cold.

Final Chapter...I replaced the module and after lots of cranking the car started. However, the car back fired whenever I hit the gas hard and the idle was a bit rough. I left the car out over night and in the morning it wouldn't start. I was disappointed. I drove to Mr. Goodwrench at a local dealer and asked about having them look at the car. Instead, they brought one of the mechanics in to talk to me and he suggested I replace the ignition coils since I'd already eliminated everything esle. So i went that morning and replaced the coils for $70. Last night was real cold and when I got up it was only 15 degrees. The car fired instantly without hesitation! Eureka! This part was the suspect part from the beginning. I guess you live and learn. Thanks for you help!
Edited by: davchrwoo

Wow... Reminds me when I couldn't get into a place. Started banging on the door.. no answer... finally called a person to come down and open it up..
Seems the door opened in the other direction.

The good thing now is the education too.


Bass

Edited by: bassasasin

i've been having the same problem with my 90 lesabre. today i tried they idea about spraying some starting fluid to see if i'm getting fuel, did not start. then i checked for spark at the spark plug and was surprised to see that i did have spark. this leads me back to the fuel system. could it be the fuel pressure regulator? or injectors? like the other post, when it starts it runs great. any help would be appriciated.

Start a new thread... It would get more attention and we can start afresh.


I think this thread poster had a spark.. but the coil pack fixed it anyway..


A weak coil pack may not fire to the plug while under cylinder pressure.


Good LuckEdited by: bassasasin

If you have spark and fuel it should run. Maybe your timming gear jumped on you. Any backfiring thru the intake while you try to start?

ok, i'll start a fresh thread. thanks