No Start Summary
Your GM 3.8L equipped car or mini-van is a complicated machine but, not impossible to diagnose/troubleshoot it when it doesn't want to start and run.
The key to saving yourself time and money, when troubleshooting a cranks but does not start condition, is to check the basics first. The basics are spark, fuel and air (engine cylinder compression).
To check the basics, you need tools. There's just no way around it. One of the analogies that I've always enjoyed repeating, about doing a job without the right tools is like trying to eat a bowl of soup with a fork.
So besides knowing what to test, you need tools to do those tests. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg, since you can buy a lot of diagnostics tools that are tailored for the pocket-books of the serious do-it-yourself'er. Here are some of the basic tools you'll need:
- Fuel pressure gauge.
- Spark tester.
- Compression gauge.
- Multimeter.
Related Test Articles
You can find a complete list of tutorials here: GM 3.8L Index Of Articles. Below, is a sample of articles you'll find in this index of articles:
- How To Clean The MAF Sensor (GM 3.8L).
- How To Test The Thermostat (GM 3.8L V6).
- How To Test The 3.8L GM Crank Sensor With a Multimeter.
- How To Do An Engine Compression Test (GM 3.8L).
- GM 3.8L Ignition Coil Pack Tests (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
- GM 3.8L Ignition Control Module and Crank (3X, 18X) Sensor Test (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
