I have a 94 Buick Regal (Beater) that runs strong when I start it up for the day, but after I drive it somewhere, park it, and come back out it always has trouble starting. Its not the battery... they car cranks over with lots of power, but it wont start unless I let the car sit for about an hour. It seems like something is too hot and needs to cool. My knowledge is limited when it comes to these engines. Does anybody have any idea of what it could be?

I ask here because there is a few guys here running these blocks in the Cavs and Fires and maybe someone can shed some light

I may be off, but unplug your torque convertor sylenoid (sp?) and see if it still does it.


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any security lights coming on? I had a 92 bonneville and it did the same thing. It turned out it was the computer chip in the key that was letting the car crank but not turn over. Good luck.

any fuel and start related issue is always going to want you look in two general areas. now if im not mistaken this is a multiport fuel injected car right? and it doesnt use a MAF. and I dont belive its alpha n like our cars, so that leaves. speed density. now your cold start table is going to rely heavily on either your air temp sensor or you coolant temp sensor. both of which you should check to make sure are properly working (you want to check resistance and voltage to the sensor.

if you had to put a time on it how long would you say its runs @!#$tty for? and does it feel like slowly the car starts to feel better or does it stay @!#$ty?


"boobs now with Riboflabin"

Tyler Lemburg wrote:any security lights coming on? I had a 92 bonneville and it did the same thing. It turned out it was the computer chip in the key that was letting the car crank but not turn over. Good luck.

I highly doubt its that. Thanks though

ScottaWhite wrote:I may be off, but unplug your torque convertor sylenoid (sp?) and see if it still does it.

I'll try it.

Jcavi wrote:any fuel and start related issue is always going to want you look in two general areas. now if im not mistaken this is a multiport fuel injected car right? and it doesnt use a MAF. and I dont belive its alpha n like our cars, so that leaves. speed density. now your cold start table is going to rely heavily on either your air temp sensor or you coolant temp sensor. both of which you should check to make sure are properly working (you want to check resistance and voltage to the sensor.

if you had to put a time on it how long would you say its runs @!#$tty for? and does it feel like slowly the car starts to feel better or does it stay @!#$ty?

Yes, it is a multi-port. I will check on those things u just mentioned. Once started it tends to run pretty decent, but after a long drive it starts to bog down kinda until I get to my destination. Then it's a 50/50 chance it will start up on the 2nd go, I want to think its a sensor or coil pack issue.

do you have a coolant temp guage?


"boobs now with Riboflabin"

If I had to guess I'd say crankshaft position sensor. What you're describing is common when they start going bad. I had one go bad in a 2.8 V6 and did exactly as yours is.

might sound stupid but i have heard of people having fuel lines causing fuel to buble in the line or something like that.if they arwe even close to the exhaust wrap them in tinfoil may help it somei

I remember that back in the OLD DAYS. People would put wood clothesline pins on the fuel line to absorb the heat.

I ended up replacing the coil packs and everything seems fine so far.