Problem starting 1996 FIREBIRD............

[KENNY GUIDO]

I bought a 1996 FIREBIRD from an auction back in November. The car was a "flood salvage" and it wasnt that bad. I had to take out the carpet, clean the interior, change the power windo motor and replace some burnt bulbs.

Although the car is not on the road, I take it for a spin once in a while (awaiting DMV to arrange an ispection appointment.)

The car started every time with ease.

Saturday, I had replaced the old anit freeze (the orange, more enviromentally friendly type) for 2 reasons:

1. rust residue in the radiator

2. i was told to replace it with the standard green type.

It ran perfect.


Today, I went to start it and it wouldnt start. I would turn the key and it would just "crank" and would not catch.

can anyone help me out?

i have plenty of gas, too!

[Rob Bell]

First check to make sure you have spark, and if you do, then check to make sure you have fuel getting to the engine. So then, of course, if one is missing, then you have to go from there.

[loser]

how bad was it flooded? water isnt good at all for cars,usaully they have wire problems.

[KENNY GUIDO]

the car was flooded up to the radio, it didnt get to the computer.

I took my time over the past few months by cleaning the car inside and out of mud and water. Some parts had to be replaced due to short circuiting (automatic window module shorted out, thus causing the window to constantly being in the "up" postion, which blew the window motor out.)

i figured since i let it dry for 6 months, most of the parts would be dried by now. I also put electolite (i believe thats what it is called) on all the electrical connections and plugs.


the car was a flood recovery from Pennsylvania, but I picked it up at an auction in Jersey. The car had 53,000 miles and I got it for $2000.

[loser]

wow 2 grand for 53k not bad, i paid like $3500 for mine , 41k 1998, but it was wrecked.ok but back to your post, i was looking at wrecked/burned/flooded cars for a while and from what ive read and heard flood car will more than likely have electrical problem, maybe not right away but sometime.now you said the water was up to the radio,which means everything under the dash got wet. theres ALOT of wires down there.wires that go pretty much everywhere.does everything else work? power seats if it has them , radio, horn, lights, ect.? next, does the fuel pump prime? usaully you can hear it when you first start it up.batter could be dead now, it could be draining somewhere.did you change your air filter, plugs, oil filter?what did you change? give us more info on what you did so far. hope that helps a little.

[KENNY GUIDO]

I havent changed alot. I still need to change the plugs, oil, tranny fluid. Everything pretty much worked when I got the car except drivers side window (motor blew). I changed a few fuses and light bulbs and I took out the carpet and cleaned it. I mean, the car is pretty much immaculate. the radio does flicker a bit when you turn it on, but once its warmed up, its fine. But I dont intend on keepin the stock stereo when I finally get it road ready. I dont know if the pump primes (I do believe its in the gas tank.....and I know how much of a nightmare they are!)

i charged the battery over night so Im hoping some of the codes would be clear when I connect it again. I had one of the dasg board lights come on since I changed the anti freeze.

[loser]

well the radio flickering isnt a good sign even if it does go away. do you have a SES ( service engine soon)light on? now if the radio is flickering odds are every wire in that area got wet, and could be needed to be replaced.maybe not today or tomoro but sometime.change ,or at least look, at the plugs.diffinatly change the oil and oil filter asap. find out if you can hear the fuel pump prime. when you turn the key to the ON position it should do it.btw what dash light came on when you changed the coolant

[KENNY GUIDO]

I took some time today and the fuel pump is working (I heard it go on) BUT I was checking for spark on one of the spark plug wires and there was none.

what does that mean?

my "service engine soon" light has always been on since I got the car. My mechanic kept telling me not to worry and when the car was road ready, he would look into it.

[KENNY GUIDO]

the light that came on when I changed the anti freeze was "CHECK GUAGES". My friend said to disconnect the battery so the computer could reset itself.

[loser]

well a service engine soon isnt anything good.if your not getting spark, the first thing is spark plugs,wire,coils.first just get spark plugs and go from there.and yea disconnecting your battery for like 15 minutes or something resets it yea, i had to do that when i got my airbags.

[iGoRa]

Look like corrosion to me, I had that problem, my fuel pump relay was corroded inside(how??). After replacing with the new one - no problem.
But yours is on the ignition side, check coils connections, have all relays replaced just in case and get that error code of the computer. That will help you to move in the right direction.

[KENNY GUIDO]

well, I replaced the ignition module and it still doesnt work!

HELP!!!

[KENNY GUIDO]

well, my mechanic found the problem: the crank sensor!

[KENNY GUIDO]

Ok, as many of you know, I bought a flood recovery car and had a few problems and got them fixed. however...........

my mechanic called me and told me he discovered that there was water in the tranny (I suspected it......) and he said he did a system flush until he saw red tranny fluid.

he told me that i should bring it back in a couple of months to do another tranny flush (just to make sure all the crap and water is out)

but his parnter said I was in "deep ****".


I didnt take the car out since I got it (around the block a few times and I dont even think I put more than 2 miles on it since I got it.)

does anyone know for sure that I may require a new tranny?

[FlamespikeMST1]

who knows, typically yes, you would have to replace the tranny. but unless your MECHANIC says so then dont bother with it, just keep an open mind that you may have buy another one.
and dont listen to the "partner" aka. tool b!tch