1995 Chevy Lumina Intermittent no-start

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.



Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.


2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.


3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

I am not a mechanic. I have owned my 1995 Lumina for 15 years. I had a very similiar problem as yours. It would start run good and then boom,no start. Wait some time,ten or 15 minutes and then it would start again. that problem turned out to be a switch in my steering column. Associated with anti theft that apparently kept timing out thus casing the delay/resetting of anti theft device. Cost me $300= for mech to get into my steering column and replace switch/contacts.

[quote:e9b2716c28="90over"] that problem turned out to be a switch in my steering column. Associated with anti theft that apparently kept timing out thus casing the delay/resetting of anti theft device. Cost me $300= for mech to get into my steering column and replace switch/contacts.[/quote:e9b2716c28]

That would have been an ignition lock and would have caused a flashing security light as a dead giveaway to the security issue. Since this car is equipped with a Passkey2 system, it would create a "no crank" situation when engaged which is not the symptom here.