92 SSE having starting problems; crank no start

[movchan]

Intro:
92’ Bonneville SSE, 150,000K
Car has never given me any problems since I have been it’s master from 2000 (Except for the stupid security light turning on and having to wait 3 min to try and restart… on occasion), it is no longer my daily driver however, and because of this I have neglected it some over the last 2 years… ok neglected it a lot

So its smog time:
Battery is dead, not uncommon there is a short somewhere, change the battery and it always fires right up even after sitting 8 months (+/-) but not this time.

I’m not real good at the sensor thing and all so (I miss carbs, and only seeing spark plug wires and battery cables in the engine compartment) I was hoping to get a little insight on the best way to pinpoint the problem as fast as possible to avoid damaging my bank account more than I need to.

Car turns over and maybe 1 out of 10 tries attempts to start… sometimes a single nudge or sometimes a series of 5 or 8 nudges in fast recession, but only with the starter engaged. (in other words it will not stumble and stop on its own, it just cant catch ignition.

I added some fuel to make sure it was fresh after all it was low

I can smell fuel so my thought was its flooded or something, so I changed the fuel pressure regulator. Noting there was only a trick of fuel when depressurizing. It was looking good, first try after pressurizing the system I almost had ignition. This, however, has not happened again. Just for curiosity I checked the relief valve for the fuel and again only a trickle, I remember back when changing the fuel filter a few years back there was a lot more.

So I’m thinking it could be my FP, but I know there could be a dozen other problems as well. I was hoping to get a little advice and insight on what to check to help spend as little as possible, I have not tried the starter fluid yet… didn’t even think about that with injectors. Ill try that tonight when I get home from work, but any additional direction would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I don’t think this is it but the fuel that was in there is old 3 years, but before you start laughing at me understand that I live in Vegas = dry, and if I understand it’s the fuel absorbing the moister from the air that caused fuel to break down… this should not be a problem here but if I’m off let me know and laugh all you want.

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. Moisture is not the issue the fuel is "dead" after 3 years, Spray starting fluid into the intake see if it runs, then post back