My '92 Lumina starts,runs, dies.

Starts and runs fine for about 10 minuts then dies and wont start again for what seams like hours. Replaced the coils, plugs and plug wires to no avail.
I noticed that when it dies theres no spark but theres a smell of fuel under the hood. Im thinking the crank sensor needs replacing but before I spend like 50 bucks on replacing what might be a perfectly fine sensor, is there some other sensor(s) that can cause this same problem ? Also how do i test the sensors to find if they are bad or not ? Bin plugging google but cant find much. :banghead:

I had the same prob. Turned out to be my pickup coil in the distributor.For some reason they die slowly instead of all at once. Good luck. luminaman

If yours has the DIS ignition with the three coils, the part under the coils is the ignition module, and that sound like it's usual M.O. when they go bad. I'm betting on that.

If yours has the DIS ignition with the three coils, the part under the coils is the ignition module, and that sound like it's usual M.O. when they go bad. I'm betting on that. Crank sensor usually works, or it doesn't, and the injectors won't spray if there's no signal from it, so you wouldn't smell gas.

If yours has the DIS ignition with the three coils, the part under the coils is the ignition module, and that sound like it's usual M.O. when they go bad. I'm betting on that. Crank sensor usually works, or it doesn't, and the injectors won't spray if there's no signal from it, so you wouldn't smell gas.

Was hoping to get a reply earlier but anyway, was unable to remove the crank sensor myself had to drop it off for repair. Turns out it was the sensor after all but the module was partly to blame, it was operating erratically and had to be replaced as well.

So $600 bucks later im good to go. :eek:

Well, at least you should be good for a while. Thanks for posting the resolution. I hate offering advice, and never hearing any more. I would have posted right away, but just joined this board, and went through a bunch of old posts and tried to offer help, since there doesn't seem to be a lot of help happening here. Don't know how I managed to triple post. That's a milestone.

You got ripped off.....Im sorry. The ignition control module is only about $130 and the crank sensor is only about $20. The labor you paid is astronomical! -Chris

My friend as having the same problem. The car runs for a while then shuts down. After it sits awhile it runs again. He brought it to a shop and they said computer is going bad. What do ya'll think?

Need more info from your friends problems in order to properly diagnose.

You got ripped off.....Im sorry. The ignition control module is only about $130 and the crank sensor is only about $20. The labor you paid is astronomical! -Chris


I wondered about that, too. But he said he wasn't able to get the old one out. Have seen people break them off so bad, they have to be knocked into the pan and removed to get it out. If that was the case, I could see it.

3.1 Runs for 30-40 minutes and engine dies. Engine will turn over but will not start for 30-45 minutes. Also when u replace the computer does that also effect the igition switch. What i mean id will the same key work?

What year? No, replacing the computer should not affect the key that goes into the ignition, unless, however , that the computer has control over the PASS LOC system. Those are the keys that have the little chip in the key. You may not even have that, so I would say no. Sounds like something is getting hot and breaking the connection there NOBRA. I would try the crank position sensor first and then the ignition module located under the coils next. Those engines also have a problem with the EGR valve and the area that goes into the intake. Carbon build up will cause weird running problems. The only surefire way to clean all of the junk out is to remove the WHOLE INTAKE. Which you may have to to anyway because the intake gaskets are also known to leak. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Hope you get it fixed inexpensively. -Chris

Thanks Chris, sorry it is a 99 with the key chip thats why i was worried about the computer if it has to be replaced.

Good guess on the price of the module S&D it was $119 + tax.

The reason i couldnt remove the sensor myself was because of its incredibly difficult location, just above the base pan between the motor block and transmission in a very small gap. The guy at the repair shop broke it in 3 pieces trying to remove it, had to remove the base pan to get it out, so this meant replacing the basepan gasket ($42) and obviously a oil and filter change ($25), plus of course ,one new crank sensor $33.50
The coil pack and module too was in a hard-to-get-at spot, directly underneath the manifold,I could just see the 3 coils sticking out, had to use a small mirror to see where the mounting bolts were , not to mention how difficult the darn things were to get back in.
As for the gas smell the mechanic told me it was caused by the coil module, it was only firing on 4 cylinders, guess he was right ' cause the smell is gone.

A.N.

Just depends on your breaking point I guess. I know these parts suck to replace and I can see the reason for removing the pan. But I have yet to break one off. Sometimes I believe that the mechanics break them off on purpose to get more money....know what I mean? You can't see what he's doing and there's no way for you to prove otherwise. Just what I think. -Chris

3.1 Runs for 30-40 minutes and engine dies. Engine will turn over but will not start for 30-45 minutes. Also when u replace the computer does that also effect the igition switch. What i mean id will the same key work?

This is the most common syptom of a bad ignition module, I would start there.