HELP!! My 87GN Died! - TEAM COTTON'S PERFORMANCE TURBO BUICK ONLINE FORUMS

Glen Crisp · #1 12-10-2009, 03:30 PM

Hey guys, I was pulling out of work yesterday (car was running great) and my 87 GN died on me in traffic going down the road. It has no spark at all when I turn it over. Has anyone ever experienced that problem before? I checked all of the fuses and even put the old chip back in it. Do ya think a coil pack would go out like that? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Glen

waGoN · #2 12-10-2009, 03:48 PM

Coil Pack? No. If a coil pack was to go, it would only be two cylinders. For all three coils to go out at once would be worse odds than winning the lottery, without buying a ticket.
If it was running, then died, then it probably would not be a cam sensor. You can't start the car with a bad sensor, but if it is running, then it will stay running, but would throw a check engine light.
Have you checked all fuses?
Have you checked for codes?
Any recent upgrades/work?
A crank sensor could do that. Have you noticed any ticking near the front of the engine recently? If the interrupter ring is hitting the crank sensor, you will hear this, then it will just stop working.
An ignition module, maybe.

I'd start there.

Glen Crisp · #3 12-10-2009, 04:26 PM

No ticking or any other funny noises. To make things worst I was head to the track for the first time! Do you know if I can pull the plug on the module and check for voltage while turning the engine over? Or could that damage something else? I will double check the fuses again too.

Thanks for your help!

JCotton1 · #4 12-10-2009, 06:53 PM

Brian was spot on with his assessment. Sounds like the crank sensor, but the other 2 could also be a problem. Check all fuses first, turn the key on and test lite every fuse. No spark, no fuel usually means crank sensor, is it original?

Glen Crisp · #5 12-10-2009, 08:12 PM

Wow, you guys are good! I pulled the sensor off and the middle part of the sensor was broken off. I guess something bounced up into it. Anyways Advance Auto Parts had one which I install just a little while ago and she fired right up. Thanks again for your assistance! It is a pleasure to know people like yourselves that will go out of their way to help someone way down in San Antonio. Ps..I’m buying if you ever fined yourself in San Antonio.

Thank you, Glen Crisp

waGoN · #6 12-11-2009, 02:37 AM

That's great you found the problem. Just make sure that the interrupter ring isn't hitting the sensor, or you'll be doing it again. Soon.

waGoN · #7 12-11-2009, 04:27 PM

Wait! You're from San Antonio? What the heck are we helping you for?
Just kidding. You are welcome. We love these cars and are always willing to help whenever we can. People have helped me in the past, I'm just repaying the favor. Besides, what do you expect me to do here at work? Work?

Glen Crisp · #8 12-14-2009, 09:54 PM

You never know when you are going to cross paths…that’s for sure! The other thing is it makes me comfortable having a part source that knows what they are doing. You guys make a great team and I will continue to use Cotton’s as my Grand National part source!!!

Thanks again, Glen