Hey Scotty, I have a 1995 Buick LeSabre Custom with 83,000 miles, automatic transmission, 3.8L V6 3800 gas engine. No codes because it doesn’t have a computer because they didn’t come into cars until 1996, a year after. A couple months ago the car started to have a starting issue. Some days the car will start right up and drive the whole day or a couple days no issues at all, however another day the car will just crank and crank with no start at all. Sometimes if I try to start it again a couple hours after it wouldn’t start, it sometimes starts but not always. It has even stalled as I’m driving it a couple times. A couple years ago the car had a stalling issue so the ignition control module and fuel pump were replaced, and turns out it was the fuel pump. With this new issue, I’ve had the fuses and all grounds checked and I even replaced the fuel pressure regulator but have had no luck at all. I’m not sure what to do now. Any help will be much appreciated!
Thanks, Aaron
No codes because it doesn’t have a computer because they didn’t come into cars until 1996, a year after.
Completely untrue. Although limited by today's standards that car most definitely has a computer. You can pull OBD1 codes, or use a Tech2 or equivalent scan tool for codes, data, and bidirectional testing.
I’m not sure what to do now.
You need to do more diagnosis. Check out the FAQ section on troubleshooting starting problems and see if that helps. You can also check the basics like filters and spark plugs if not recently done, and check fuel pressure to make sure the replacement fuel pump is not an issue. (A lot of aftermarket parts are poor quality and fail quickly.)
I guess what I meant by “no computer” was I’ve had mechanics try and connect using a scanner and the car doesn’t want to connect to their tool, so I assumed it didn’t have much of one but I guess you’re right by it at least having one. I’ll do some more diagnosis for sure! The spark plugs should be good because I checked them a couple weeks ago, but I’ll check again. Thanks for the help! Much appreciated!
I’ve had mechanics try and connect using a scanner and the car doesn’t want to connect to their tool
They just didn't have the right kind of scanner. 1995 was a transition year. Most cars still only had OBD1 but some had early OBD2 implementations and some had features of both. Chances are those guys don't see a lot of cars that old. (Many mechanics will flat-out refuse to work with pre-OBD2 vehicles.)
A quick test to see whether the problems is spark or fuel related is to spray some starting fluid into the intake when the engine won't start normally. If the engine runs briefly you have spark but no fuel, and vice versa.
So run through some diagnostics and let us know if you need further assistance.