Engine code #17 and #24

Hi, I just bought a 93 and it starts great like a new car 9 out of 10 times. I put the key in and it turns over nice and starts. But every now and than I put the key in and turn it over and it just turns over seems like it not getting any gas or a spark not sure. If I keep trying it might start and when it does it starts like a new car.

I other day it would not start I took kids out of car and walked to the school came back home 15 min later put key in and bam it started.


If I turn the key and listen for the fuel pump I don't hear it but it starts so I can't tell if it is the fuel pump that way.

Most of the time it will start like new
Any help would be great

did you put a tune up on it yet? if not i would start with the plugs, wires, air and fuel filters and see how she does.

You need to check for a few things when it's not starting.
Spark from all 3 coils
Fuel at the injector rail
Fuel injector pulse

If you need info on how to check any of these just let us know.

I do need help with info on how to check

Spark from all 3 coils
Fuel at the injector rail
Fuel injector pulse


Right now I really think it is the pass key II turning off the fuel or spark.

But GM dealer said it would not turn over if it was the key.

Okay after reading through the forums I think it is the crank sensor. If I move the gear shift changer into neutral and back to park and it has started 3 times when it would not before. Only once it did not work.

Do you think I would be able to change the crank sensor myself? I have a basic socket and wrench set.

The "standard" problem with the security system is the VATS module not being able to read the pellet in the key. This would disable both the starter & the fuel injectors. I suppose a faulty module could disable the injectors but still let the starter turn over the engine. That's one of the reasons we need to check for fuel injector pulse.

Crank sensor is needed for spark but would have nothing to do with putting the car in neutral and/or park. There is a park/neutral safety switch that could disable the starter if defective. From your first post it sounds like the starter is not a problem.

You can test for spark by removing the spark plug wires from a coil & setting the blade of a screwdriver on one post with the end of the screwdriver about 1/4" from the other post. Watch for spark while someone cranks over the engine. Check all three coils.

Use a #194 light bulb to check for injector pulse. Just remove the wires from one injector and insert the light bulb wires into the wiring harness. Bulb will pulse as engine is cranked. Look carefully the bulb never goes on or off all the way it just pulses.

There is a schrader valve (similar to tire valve stem) on the fuel injector rail. Remove the cap, turn key to run position for 2 seconds, turn off and then press in the center of the valve. Fuel should spray out. When you do this position your hands so fuel can't spray in your face.

These three easy tests will help us narrow down the problem.

I will trouble shoot it tomorrow or the next day, just as soon as this bad weather moves on by.

Moving your gear shifter shouldn't have anything to do with it. If your park/neutral switch detects that you are out of park or neutral, you will not be able to turn the car over at all. If your car is turning over, then the switch cannot be a part of the problem and thus moving the gear shifter cannot have anything to do with the solution.

Before replacing anything, consider paying a mechanic to properly diagnose your car. It sounds as though doing the diagnosis yourself is not a likely happening. Therefore you will spend less paying someone to find the cause than in replacing several parts you don't really need.

It is not your VATS system. It would not turn over at all.

Diagnosing your crank sensor or ignition coil may be beyond your present abilities/technical knowhow/tool collection.

It does sound like it could be an ignition module, but at around $200 you need to know for sure before replacing!

Well it has some thing I guess to do with the steering shaft because if I move the gear changer up and down it will start. Hard to take to a shop it it not broke. It starts most of the time.

Some kind of short or something in the steering column.

Well the gear shaft did not work today. I used some quick start in the air intake and bam it started for me twice. Is this a sign of fuel rail or something ?

Well spaying quick start did not work today or moving the gear shifter back and forth help any. So I walked home with two little kids 5 and 4 years old from the grocery store, made dinner and than we walked back to the car and I put the key in and bam it started like a new car. It got to be the Vats or some thing to do with the key shutting down the fuel.

The quick start got it to fire but not run.

Only sure thing so far is to wait 10 min and it will start. Does not matter if it cold or the engine hot. It seems you have to wait at least 10 min from the time you turn key and nothing till it will start.

vats1.pdf (http://www.asttraining.com/Files/vats1.pdf)

Well I think I will sell this car. I always wanted a LeSabre but not very happy with this one. Will look for a newer one or something else all together.

Hi. I got the codes read off the car today and I have a 17 code and a 24 engine code.

Code 24
Vehicle Speed Sensor This code can only appear when the vehicle is in motion, if it appears when the car is not in motion, ignore it. Check ECM connections, any other problems should be diagnosed by a qualified mechanic.

So that might explain why it will not start sometimes and why my transmission seems to slips and lose power until I turn off engine and restart the car and it runs fine.

Not sure what to do about the error code 17 or really what to do about 24

Hi. I got the codes read off the car today and I have a #17 code and a #24 engine code.

Code 24
Vehicle Speed Sensor: any way to fix this or bypass
This might be why my car goes in limp mode
or won't start some times

I also got a Code #17 not sure what this is or how to fix it.

Any help would be great

Code 17 is a spark reference circuit code. What year vehicle do you have?

Hi. I got the codes read off the car today and I have a #17 code and a #24 engine code.

Code 24
Vehicle Speed Sensor: any way to fix this or bypass
This might be why my car goes in limp mode
or won't start some times

I also got a Code #17 not sure what this is or how to fix it.

Any help would be great
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as far as car not starting could be the battery . My 98 would start sometimes & sometimes it wouldent , so i cleaned the side ternimals & the postive post came out of battery wasent atached to battery had get new battery buffalo bob

Thanks, I have a new alt in it and a new battery. Right now I think it is the camshaft sensor. Just waiting to see if some one thinks it can be done at home or if I need to take it into a garage. It could be the key and lock system as well.

Sensor only $60 so I will start there.

Thanks guys, but I sold that lemon and don't think I will be buying anymore lesabres

According to an Emission Control manual that I have the code 17 is Crank Signal circuit (shorted) or Faulty ECM.

Thanks guys, but I sold that lemon and don't think I will be buying anymore lesabres

This thread has been closed since the original poster sold the car!
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