July 2009 I was driving on the interstate at around 75 MPH when the engine died and wouldn't start, pulled off the road, engine would crank but not start, after a few minutes it started and I drove home. I called a mechanic and he said it probably was the ignition control module, go to the junk yard and get one. From then through december 2012 I replaced the ignition module three times. In december 2012 I replaced both the module and the crank positioning sensor, thinking that it could be causing the module failure. Three months later the engine died again I had the module tested, it was ok, had the car towed to the dealer, they checked it for three days and said the heat from the engine had made the crank positioning sensor to separate internally and it was replaced again. Car ran fine for three weeks and wouldn't start after driving around town let it sit for a couple of hours, started up on the first try drove it home. April 2013 my judgment tells me that the plug to the positioning sensor is the problem, when engine is hot the plug either opens up or shorts out from liquid from the engine. I checked with the parts man and he said he had sold one positioning sensor all year (mine) and sold 30 plugs going to it, I'm replacing my plug!
Chevrolet Lumina won't start problems
23 of the 2,945 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Lumina describe won't start, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 23
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 87,000
By model year
- 20011
- 20002
- 19983
- 19974
- 19964
- 19955
- 19931
- 19922
- 19911
Often reported together
Stalling 2Engine failure 2Overheating 1Loss of power 1Hesitation 1Fire or smoke 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
Vehicle would not start after parked less then 2 hours. The spark plugs worked fine, with sufficient spark. The compression was at a normal level of function. The problem was found to be the fuel injectors to be stuck in the wide open (full throttle) position. Which was causing the vehicle to be flooded, preventing ignition. After a long day of trying to find a reason, the cause was found. The problem was a metal retaining bracket for the wiring system that had worn through the coating of the wire controlling the injector position/function. This caused it to ground itself through the metal bracket, which is why it stuck in the open position. The bracket that caused the problem is mounted on the engine on the serpentine belt side, behind the belt. Between AC compressor and alternator. Solved problem with electrical tape on the damaged wires and bracket.
Twice now when trying to start my 1997 lumina lights come on and car won't turn over. Something must be going on with the electrical system. After getting out of the car and leaving the key on, the car kicked over. Any reason for this type for behavior. Granted I know the car is getting older, but at 87k miles it makes me uneasy to go on any long jaunts.
I was driving my car one day, and when shutting it off briefly in a friends driveway, it refused to start. I had accessory power, but the starter would not crank. After checking that there was a good connection with the battery, there was still no ability to crank. After trying for about 5 minutes multiple times, the car finally turned over and started. I immediately drove it home, which took about 1 hour, but the security light kept intermittently coming on and turning off. The consequences of this was that I almost stranded an hour away from home, and now I cannot rely on my vehicle to start, and so I feel it cannot be relied on to drive. When looking in forums and searching for answers to this question, I have found that a lot of users are experiencing problems with their pass lock systems, and we do not feel that this system should be failing.
This car will not start due to a defect of the anti-theft security built-in it. To be able to start the vehicle I have to turn on the ignition and off and wait three to four minutes to start and turns on. This problem is 90% of the time.
I turned car off went into the house came back tried to start car it would not start it had full power I replaced the starter had battery checked it was fully charged no problems tried to start it security light is flashing cleaned key unable to start this is a 1995 chevy lumina this is a danger. It needs to be investigated .
On many occasions the anti-theft light on this 2000 malibu has come on and the car will not start for 20 to 30 minutes. One time it came on while driving and the car stalled. It has been to the dealer 3 times and they have not been able to fix it.
I have a 1997 chevy lumina the car. My problem is that I have less than 80,000 miles on it and now it wont start. I have changed the battery and alternator. It seems to work then not work. An article in popular mechanic s magazine said that they had a lot of trouble with the resistor on the keys and that's what cased it to not start your input on this problem would be gladly accepted.
Dt: the contact states when trying to start vehicle the engine would not start. When turning the ignition heard an extremely loud pop. She raised the hood and discovered the manifold completely shattered. No repairs have been made. This same problem occurred previously, and the manifold was replaced at the contact's expense.*ak the fuel pressure regulator was installed.
My 1998 lumina is will not start unless the gas pedal is pumped (this is a fuel injection car) and once the car is running it idles very rough as though the car will stall. The dealership raised the injectors and replaced a harness and let the car idle for 2 1/2 hours. On the next cold start the car is still the same. It goes back to the dealership on monday.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- The remedy applied under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
- Risk
- If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Lumina won't start
Which Chevrolet Lumina years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (5 complaints), 1996 (4 complaints) and 1997 (4 complaints).
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