1991 oldsmobile 98 regency elite won't start

okay, the pcv checked out fine, i changed the fuel filter, changed the oxygen sensor, all the spark plugs and wires are new, the starter is good and so is the battery. i'm out of ideas. i was told to check the fuel injectors and something about an ecu (whatever that is) and the distributor caps. um there's also a backfire from somewhere under the engine i was told that is possibly the exhaust manifold. also i was told something about checking the spark plugs with a screw driver somehow but i got confused about the procedure. anyone got any ideas or help on what i should do? i need to at least get the car able to run by tomorrow night cuz i commute to college and need to be at class. this is top priority for me. please help.

With problems like this, the more specific you can be describing the exact *symptoms* the faster you will find the answer. What *exactly* is it doing? You turn the key and:

a. It cranks but won't fire, starter sounds normal and engine turns fast but it won't run.

b. It tries to start but can't turn over, you can hear the starter trying to turn the motor but it doesn't have enough energy to turn it over all the way.

c. You hear only a "click" when the key goes to "start."

d. You hear nothing at all when the key goes to "start."

e. None of the above (please elaborate).


From what you are saying in your post, it seems the car cranks just fine but won't start. If that is indeed the case, it is either not getting fuel or not getting spark. If it's not getting fuel, it could be a bad fuel pump, fuel regulator, or an issue with the fuel rail, or it could be an electrical issue. If it's electrical, it could be the ECM (electronic control module) or one of the igntion components.

This kind of problem requires a good factory service manual to diagnose. You will need the manual that includes all of emissions diagnosis. I would suspect an electrical fault. I am not familar with this particular engine, but with other engines something like a bad crankshaft position sensor can cause a crank-but-no-start condition like what you may be experiencing.

it cranks but won't fire

Got spark? Got fuel pressure?

ok i'm totally stumped now. i replaced the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel filter, the o2 sensor, the fuel injectors and spark plugs are all firing like they should, the starter is fine, the battery is charged, the fuel pump is turning on and putting out enough pressure, the alternator is fine, the fuel line isn't blocked, all electric stuff is working, and she still isn't turning on. i'm out of ideas. i've tried everything everyone has said to do, and still nothing. anyone got any other ideas?

Spray carb cleaner in the inatke see if it fires and post back.

Maybe it's flooded? Press the gas pedal all the way to the floor and hold it. Then crank the engine. This will signal the ECM to stop spraying fuel long enough to let it attempt to clear itself.

If that doesn't work, you are going to have to get a factory (not aftermarket) service manual book or CD which you really should have gotten before doing all this work. These new cars are not like the older cars we are used to working on. Even a seasoned mechanic can't mess with them without the factory manual to tell them exactly what to do!

I have a factory manual for an '89 with this same engine, I'll dig it out and see what I can find out. . .

crank and camshaft sensors...thats it...dont bother looking elsewhere

Those will definitely cause a crank-but-no-start condition. Again, need factory manual to diagnose and replace!

1991 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Elite stopped running, would turn but no spark, was told to replace the crankshaft sensor. Did that & since then have also replaced the camshaft sensor, the coil pack & control module, the plugs & wires. Up until today it was still the same turn but no spark, now it does not turn at all it just makes a clicking noise.... I am totally stumped, thought it could be ecm or relay... PLEASE HELP!!

Sounds like a battery or starter issue for now, but when that is fixed check for 12v at the pink wire at the ign module, also all the fuses.

mine starts but wont restart if i shut it off doesnt matter if its a 5 min drive or a 5hour drive

Very old thread! Ok when it won't start do you have strong spark, good fuel pressure​ and injector pulse?