Starting problem !

[mickeypowa]

Hi guys !!!
I have an oldsmobile cutlass 1980 with a v8 engine and it doesn't want to start anymore. Everything was working fine until few days ago. When I turn the key and try to start, I hear the starter turning but the engine doesn't start !! It doesn't even cough !!

So I tried :
- to charge my battery at the maximum with an external charger, the starter seems to work fine !
- to change the 8 sparks plugs but it didn't change anything
- to withdraw the gasoline pipe, just after the gasoline pump and before the carburetor, the pump seems to work fine and send gasoline.
- to put start pilot at the air filter but nothing...

I wonder if the engine is not flooded by gasoline ? Because I did a lot of tries and I hit the throttle few times ! What could I do to unflood it ? I already tried to withdraw the spark plugs and leave it open for 3 days to make it dry...

What else could I check ? Should I test a spark plug connected to the mass to see if I can see a spark ?

Thanks for your help !!!

Mickey

 

[Streetbu]

You need four things for an engine to run, air coming into the engine (ie. Make sure you have compression) spark, fuel, and exhaust. Most likely exhuast is fine. I would check spark next.

 

[TURNA]

Gas and spark.

Take a plug wire off put a screwdriver in it and hold it by the handle to a cleanish piece of metal on the engine NOT the carb.

Have someone try and start the car.

If you see a spark the problem is gas!!

 

[TURNA]

Or just get one of these. Good tool to have anyway.

 

[pagrunt]

Get an ignition module, the one in the distributor might of gone bad which could be causing no spark. Make sure you get the supplied grease with it to go on between the module bottom and the mount pad on the distributor. No grease/not usimg the correct grease will kill it.

 

[pontiacgp]

I'm thinking a wire has broken off of the pick up coil.....

 

[mickeypowa]

Hi guys ! thanks for your help !
so I took a video when I test a spark plug : I put it on the metal bar which is gounded, then I turn the key, we can hear the starter but there is no spark.. !! so I guess the problem is there

I tried with 2 differents spark plugs and 2 different wires and still no spark

So it could be the ignition control module ? or the distributor ? or the ignition coil ? or the pick up coil ?

How could I know ? the thing is strange is that everything was working properly until few days ago... and the thing is that I discovered 2 babys cats in the engine bay few days ago ! so maybe they touched a wire or something... ?

 

[TURNA]

If you are holding the plug on the metal thats no good.

Hold it a 1/8-1/4 inch away you should see a nice blue spark.

Anything other than blue something is on its way out.

 

[pagrunt]

Check the pink wire going into the HEI coil to see if it's loose/broken/chewed before tearing into the distributor. But my money is on the module.

 

[pontiacgp]

Check the pink wire going into the HEI coil to see if it's loose/broken/chewed before tearing into the distributor. But my money is on the module.

If it's not the pink wire I'll give you 2 to 1 that it's the pick up coil.....