88 LeSabre won't start when cold

[sallisonbrown]

Originally Posted by psycotic

its actually got new wires and plugs. i get good spark on the coil pack. so idk.
is there a possibility that the computer uses the temperature sensor to determine the amount of fuel needed to start the car, if so maybe thats bad.

Yes, I think the computer reads the input from the Temp Sensor to adjust the air/fuel mix. It could be faulty but I don't think so. Does the engine just crank and crank at normal speed (when trying to start at low temperature)? Or does it crank slowly? If it turns over normally, then it's probably related to fuel delivery or coil/spark output, if it turns over slowly look to the battery, starter or alternater. Reread all 30 of the previous posts to eleminate alot of guess work.

Have you tried some dry gas or switching to high test on these really cold days?

Steve

[robertp124]

Thanks for the coil tip...
Every year for the last few my 89 LeSabre staopped starting when it got cold. It would turn over at regular speed, sound like it was going to start and then backfire through the air cleaner. It started about 3 years ago when I had to plug in the block heater at -25 or it would not start, a year later -20, this year -15.
- scanned, no codes
- wires were fine, spark was good, sensors all tested OK
I also noticed that in the summer and when it was warmed up it wasn't starting with the usual 2 seconds of cranking, I assumed it was just getting old.
Read your thread and picked up a new coil at UAP for $65.00. This morning it was -20 and the car would not start, changed the coils and it instantly started, no problems.

Thanks!

[Bluthunder]

My 1991 Lesabre does not start when cold. This seems to be a common problem found in the coil pack. What is the difficulty in coil pack replacement? Can it be done under $100 if diy? The also "stutters" when accelerating from 55 mph to pass another car. Thanks for any help.

Go Illini beat the Spartans

[buickmastermind]

I've only replace type 2 coil assemblies (three separate coils). You would be hard-pressed to get three good quality replacement coils for $100. There is a lot of good info in this thread, so read the previous posts if you have the time. Not difficult at all to change coils.

[chevelleman]

my car used to do the same thing i have an 89 oldmobile eighty eight with the same vin C 3800 when you tried to start it up in the cold it would crank over fine and would fire and back fire but wouldn't start for a long time and once it was warmed up i was fine it turned out being the coil pack you can check to see if the coil pack is the problem on your cars by checking the resistance between the coils with the wire off the coil and the key off spec is from 10k to 13k of resistance when i checked mine my bottom two were around 12K but my top one was around 30k when cold out and would come down to around 20 after it was warmed up. i replaced the coil pack and no problems since it also runs better, sounds better, and gets better mileage good luck

[jms92]

I have this exact bug on a 1990 Lasabre that I got up for my son. Car runs great all year long but now that it's cold, it won't start easy. Once the car starts, it runs and restarts just fine. I have no idea what was ever done to the car because the owner passed away. I put plugs into it today, for my first guess. Old ones probably were OK...?? I have wires that I haven't put in, was thinking wires for guess number 2..??? But after reading this I am leaning hard toward ignition coil. I was going to inspect the coil, but can't find it... Where is it located????? The ignition control module is the black box that the spark plug wires connect to, right??? Is the coil located around where the ignition control module is located????

Thanks in advance. This is a car that I don't want to put alot of money into. But its a great first car for a teenager.

[birkey1956]

Hello folks. I have a 1989 that I got from my dad. It's in well maintained shape with 130,000 miles. Last winter it started fine. This winter it's starting exactly as discribed above. That's what brought me to this site! Glad I found it.
After a lot of reserch I figured it might be the coils or idle air contol valve. I started with the iac valve since I thought it would be cheaper. Wrong........... $87.00 at Napa. But so far it's starting! The same time I did this it has warmed up and hasn't gotton much below freezing.
If this dosen't fix it I'll try the coils.
I've also noticed a drop in fuel mileage since this symptom has come about.

These are great cars in my opinion. And I like the fact I have no payments!

[jms92]

You guys are great!!! You saved me about $$$$$10,000. I was starting to worry that I may have to replace my son's 1990 LeSabre due to the hard starting when cold issue... I replaced the plugs with no luck, and have been waiting for it to get cold enough to continue trouble shooting. Well it cooled off some and we where still having hard starts. I went to Auto Zone and got a coil pack for $65, installed it, and that is the fix!!!!!! Thanks a bunch!!!! The old pack looks fine, I did not meter it but I intend to. Maybe I'll read the resistance of the coils, then put it in the freezer over night and meter it again. If I find the answer I'll post it......