1990 chevy lumina starting problem

[brosato]

blue i have a problem restartingmy car after i have driven it it has to sit at least half hour before i can restart. can anyone give me a clue what could cause this

[elfin3]

Hey, I have a 90 Lumina, same kind of problems. So, I can't help but to say we might be in the same boat!
Lori

[tblake]

my guess would be an ignition module. Let the car get cold. Use a hair dryer to heat the ignition module up, and try to start it, if it wont start, replace and be happy.

[SpitAndDirt]

If you have a problem with hot restart(assuming you have a 3.1L v6), try replacing the crankshaft position sensor first. It's less expensive of a part and almost always they crack. It's location exposes the sensor to extreme heat and hot engine oil seeping into them. It's located on the backside of the motor in the engine block, secured by a 8mm bolt I believe. A two wire plug is all you disconnect. You can access it easier by removing the front engine mount "dog-bones" and rotating the motor forward towards the radiator. This gives you clearence to work on the backside of the motor for spark plug service, crank sensor,etc. If the sensor did not help anything, then I would go for the Ignition Module next. It requires moving the engine towards the firewall to access. Removing the coils and module as an assembly, and then removing coils. Assemble in reverse order. Hope this helps -Chris

[jeffcoslacker]

The crank sensor is prone to cracks, and will sometimes break off when you try to remove it, as it is gummed up with crankcase varnishes on the inside. Before yanking it out, spray around it with carb cleaner, then pull outward and spray a little more, etc. until it feels pretty free. I've seen them break, and just keep breaking until there's nothing left outside of the motor and you have to drill into them and try to remove with an extractor or even worse, have to knock 'em through and pull the oil pan to remove it.

[tblake]

Remind me.... Thats a repair I let my mechanic do when the time comes. "Knock them through, and pull the oil pan to remove it." Not something I ever wanna have to do.