Starting Problem

[bwhuot]

I have a 1988 Buick Park Ave with a starting problem.

The car when it does start, will start easily and runs smoothly. When it doesn't start it will do the following:
The car will almost start but it stalls out and further attempts on starting will just crank with no signs of a spark. The car had a major tuneup, replacing the plugs, plug wires and the ignition control module. My son's friends says the Mass Air Flow sensor is burned out and that could be causing the starting problem. I was suucessful on starting the car when I remove the neg cable from the battery and leave it off overnight and then it will start, only done this two times and both times it worked, maybe dumb luck.

I'm thinking Ignition Control Module has gone bad again.

This car has a short that drains the battery and now have an onboard trickle charger so I don't go through another battery.

I welcome your suggestions.

[tman]

My grandmaw's 91 park ave is acting the same way, when you start it, and it acts up, step on the gas a little, that will make the computer send more fuel/air into the engine, allowing you to start it. Also, try holding the key in the start position for a tiny bit longer. I'm not sure, but I think that we may both need a new starter, but check the cables going to the starter first, make sure that they are tight, and not corroded.

[carquestman]

first of all gm didnt put on board diagnostics sytem on that car for nothing-----use it..
its very simple all you need is a paper clip and a pen and paper......could be ignition module...but not likely... might have a bad crank position sensor or cam position sensor ... chech fuel pressure whene cranking
see if it has gas whene your cranking...could be a bad fuel pump realy....that would also couse a negative amp drain wich would case you problems with the battery staying charged---
it could have started sticking on a long time ago draining the battery at night and aftera while cousing problems with with fuel delivery!!!!!
good luck

[bwhuot]

I have checked for fault codes and none has shown up. So far I have these possibilities from forums and friends:

1. Mass Air Flow Sensor
2. Crankshaft Position Sensor
3. Camshaft Position Sensor
4. Idle Air Control Valve
5. Fuel Pump
6. ECM

The car does have spark as I checked for that as well. I also can smell Fuel when the car is in the "just want to crank mode".

Could the Mass Air Flow Sensor be the culprit? I was told by my son's friend, who is a mechanic for NAPA says the sensor is burned out.

[tman]

check your vacuum lines, and the fuel pressor regulator.

[carquestman]

check fuel pressure and volume while in crank only mode...; that will give you a good start mass airflow wont couse a starting problem
most emisions sensors dont even begin to afect the way the car runs until it is running or warms up