[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by salem1912

Leave the gauge on,start it up and let it run the same as before. Shut off and see how quickly the gauge drops off and what your reading is after 1/2 hour. If it drops to 0 -10psi see how quickly it goes up to 50-55 (what ever the spec is) WITH just turning the key on. You could have either a injector leaking into the cylinders or a faulty pump check valve that's not holding the pressure forward.

To take the above to the next step. If it holds pressure, the fuel system has integrity. (regulator, injectors and fuel pump are good). If the pressure drops to near zero, you have an issue. You can use shutoff valves in the feed and return lines to isolate. Shut off return valve to the tank. If pressure still drops, leaking injector, (s) . Much more common issue is failing crank sensor. They fail in an intermittent mode all the time. Do a quick check for ignition, next time it won't start. Also, next time it won't start, hold the pedal WOT and see if it starts. That would indicate a leaking injector as well. 3800's are pretty easy to deal with for the most part. Take care.

[Bob Dillon]

Go over to Pontiacbonneville.com, join, and describe your problem. There's a million buys there who can help.


I would also suspect the security system. An easy fix, but annoying,

[salem1912]

"Much more common issue is failing crank sensor."

Quick check on a crank sensor would be if car has a tach see if the needle is moving while cranking or scan tool show any rpm while cranking.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by salem1912

"Much more common issue is failing crank sensor."

Quick check on a crank sensor would be if car has a tach see if the needle is moving while cranking or scan tool show any rpm while cranking.

That is a great "quick and dirty check". No tach wiggle or 75-150 RPM on the scan tool, you have your answer.

[Hillard]

Originally Posted by Bob Dillon

Go over to Pontiacbonneville.com, join, and describe your problem. There's a million buys there who can help.


I would also suspect the security system. An easy fix, but annoying,

So I drove it to work today and just went to lunch. On my way to town the "Service Security System" alarm came on. I've made 2 stops since then and it has restarted every time without hesitation, but the alarm makes me wonder if that isn't the issue. I knew of an Oldsmobile that had starting issues and it was found that there were some corroded or broken wires going to the anti-theft system causing the problem.

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by Hillard

So I drove it to work today and just went to lunch. On my way to town the "Service Security System" alarm came on. I've made 2 stops since then and it has restarted every time without hesitation, but the alarm makes me wonder if that isn't the issue. I knew of an Oldsmobile that had starting issues and it was found that there were some corroded or broken wires going to the anti-theft system causing the problem.

Yeah. The wires are tiny and frequently break.


What you need to do is use an ohm meter to "read" the key to see what the reading is. Next, your order the resistor (I got mine at Radio Shack, RIP) and they were 5 for a dollar. I'm sure amazon has them.


You just wire the resistor into the circuit before the key and that solves the problem. I've had 2 Bonnies, a '99 and '97, and they both eventually failed and required this fix.



If you got over to pontiacbonnevilleclub.com and search the archives, this fix will pop up, and it's an easy fix.

[Hillard]

Originally Posted by Bob Dillon

Yeah. The wires are tiny and frequently break.


What you need to do is use an ohm meter to "read" the key to see what the reading is. Next, your order the resistor (I got mine at Radio Shack, RIP) and they were 5 for a dollar. I'm sure amazon has them.


You just wire the resistor into the circuit before the key and that solves the problem. I've had 2 Bonnies, a '99 and '97, and they both eventually failed and required this fix.



If you got over to pontiacbonnevilleclub.com and search the archives, this fix will pop up, and it's an easy fix.

Thank you.

[mgarblik]

To add to the security system issues. It is very possible that is causing your problems. The tiny wires are under the steering column. Green, yellow, white, I think. They are like 24 gauge, very small. You can bypass the system by supplying the correct resistance to the module and bypassing the key chip as mentioned above. Pretty easy. There are several Youtube videos showing how to do it. I have done half a dozen over the years.

[Hillard]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

To take the above to the next step. If it holds pressure, the fuel system has integrity. (regulator, injectors and fuel pump are good). If the pressure drops to near zero, you have an issue. You can use shutoff valves in the feed and return lines to isolate. Shut off return valve to the tank. If pressure still drops, leaking injector, (s) . Much more common issue is failing crank sensor. They fail in an intermittent mode all the time. Do a quick check for ignition, next time it won't start. Also, next time it won't start, hold the pedal WOT and see if it starts. That would indicate a leaking injector as well. 3800's are pretty easy to deal with for the most part. Take care.

I've had one before with a bad crank sensor. This one acts a little differently than my other one did. My other would just act like the ignition is turned off when cranking. This one acts like it's trying to fire but won't.

The fuel pressure with it running was at 45 psi. I think they are supposed to be 45-50??

[mgarblik]

See what the pressure does when you key off? If you determine the injectors are a problem, pull them out and get them to me. I can ultra-sonic clean them and flow test them. I would need them for a week if you can be without.