'92 Buick PAU, dies while driving.

[jorgeo]

Hows everyone ? I'm wondering if someone could help me with my '92 pau. Recently it just started dying when it is being drivin. I've checked the fuel pressure and it holds steady at 40 psi., at idle as well as 2500 rpm. There is a fluctuation under hard acceleration and deceleration, nothing under 40psi. I believe this is normal. The car runs perfect when in open loop operation (when cold) but after normal operating temp. is reached the engine will hesitate under acceleration and will surge at high speed with the cruise control on whenever you demand more power (climbing hills and passing). The car will idle forever but after driving for about 20 minutes will die. After sitting for about 20 minutes it will start again. I am wondering if anyone knows the ohm specs for all of the sensors that might be in question,(crankshaft, camshaft,ignition module)as this information would be the most valuable in sensor diognostics since OBDII will not allow generic scan tools access to factory embedded coding, program read only memory (prom). I should also mention it is a supercharged 3800. Any feedback would be most appreciated.

[HotZ28]

First of all, the 92 PA is OBD1, not OBD11. If it is cutting off while running, I would say it has a code 17 or 41. It is more than likely the crank sensor, code 17. It would not do any good to ohm the sensors since the problem is intermittent and heat related. You would have to duplicate the exact circumstance that causes it not to function correctly, one chance in a million!

[jorgeo]

My bad, '92 PAU is in fact OBD1 . And for your consideration also help, I will tell you about the very lastest incident, though it is not related to the before mentioned problem.

"BEWARE OF CHINCHILLAS"

Yesterday when I started my Buick, I was very dismayed to find it was running very rough. I tried to back out of my driveway but the car had very little power. I thought maybe the drive belt for the huffer had come off or broken. I opened the hood while the car was still running and immediatly saw the problem. It looked as though the spark plug wires on the back side had a 4" section cut out (all three). I have replaced the wires in the last two months. What would cause these wires to basicly disinigrate?

After shutting the car off and looking under the hood again, I found a rodent nest behind the alternater on the intake manifold, and a medium sized chinchilla sitting on top of the huffer looking at me. The rodent scurried into the right fender cavity, I tried to flush him out with hose but no luck. I'm sorry to say I had to feed him d-con. Thanx HotZ28

[HotZ28]

"I found a rodent nest behind the alternater on the intake manifold, and a medium sized chinchilla sitting on top of the huffer looking at me."


'Spark scatter', would explain your surging or hesitation. It is caused by applying high voltage from the coils, to weak or chewed up wires, or worn out plugs. Electrical current will travel the source of least resistance. In auto engines, that "least resistance" is the nearest ground!

I have heard that chinchilla's like to chew on wires, could that have caused your wires to disintegrate? Anyway, you need to install some wires that have d-con embedded in them!

[jorgeo]

Once again, Thank You for your reply. I do appreciate your knowledge on this subject ('92 PAU) however the second incident (rodent) has nothing to do with my primary problem. I did however change the 2.4.6, wires. I doubt I would have been able to go 30 mph on only three cylinders. I only wanted to share this story becase it is almost unbelievable. I figured someone might get a kick out of it.

I will run a scan tool and retrieve codes. I believe you are correct about the cranckshaft sensor. I wonder is that particular sensor a dealer item only?

And by the way, d-con impregnated cables? A person would make a killing in the agracultural industry. he, he, Thank You

[HotZ28]

"A medium sized chinchilla sitting on top of the huffer looking at me."

This was really hilarious; I did get a kick out of it. It was initially hard to believe, however, considering where you live, I do believe it!

Listed below are two popular replacement crank sensors for the 92 PA Ultra. You should be able to buy these at just about any auto parts store.

Niehoff Ignition DR1401
Crankshaft Position Sensor: Sensor & Bracket
$31.99

GP Sorensen CSS9
Sensor; 4 Pin Terminal
$26.96