1992 Lumina

[big dwag]

My father in laws 92 lumina z34 won't start, He was driving it around the other day made a few stops. At the last place he went too he turn off the car came back a hour later and all it would do is spin over and not start up. He had it towed to the dealer they kept it a day and call him up and said they can't work on a car that old, Because they don't have a book or any mechanics that can work on older cars. So now i have to figure it out. Like i said it was running turn it off now won't start, I haven't looked at it yet but i will check the fuel filter, spark, and compression,If any one has had problems with a 92 z34 lumina not starting just drop me a few lines. Thanks

[Schurkey]

1. Does it NOT CRANK, or does it CRANK but NOT START? There's a HUGE difference in diagnosis. Not cranking is starter/electrical; cranking but not starting can be many other issues.

2. If it cranks, what is the cranking compression?

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by big dwag

...He had it towed to the dealer they kept it a day and call him up and said they can't work on a car that old, Because they don't have a book or any mechanics that can work on older cars.

Sadly, that is not as uncommon as you might believe. Basic diagnostic skills are no longer being trained. Technicians are taught how and where to connect their diagnostic equipment and how to interpret what the result of the communication produces. The situation is akin to a nurse who knows how to read a medical chart and how to administer an injection of whatever the chart indicates versus a doctor who actually diagnoses the symptoms to determine the root cause.

Your dealership is throwing in the towel because the older technology is beyond their ability. You can learn to do it yourself or find a service center with trained and experienced technicians. Many independent service centers work on multiple models and thus tend to have people with a lot broader experience and ability.

[big dwag]

As i said it will spin over but it will not start, I'll break it down just a little more, The starter will spin the motor over, But the motor will not start.. Thanks for no help Schurkey

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by big dwag

As i said it will spin over but it will not start, I'll break it down just a little more, The starter will spin the motor over, But the motor will not start.. Thanks for no help Schurkey

Originally Posted by Schurkey

2. If it cranks, what is the cranking compression?

And for that matter, what is the fuel pressure?

[big dwag]

Ok it will crank, (or as we call it here spinning over), But won't start.

[Blue Bowtie]

Fuel, compression, and ignition at the correct time are usually all it takes to get running. One of those is likely missing in action. It's not unheard of to have a timing chain fail on engine shutdown. What engine?