No start car is a barn find?

1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE
180,000 MILES • 4.9L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
EGGEN57
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
This car is a barn find. It was abandoned on the property we bought. We went out and charged the battery and it fired right up and ran great. Drove it for awhile then it died on the road and turned over but wouldn’t start. Couldn’t hear the fuel pump kick on. It did start with ether though. The next morning, it started right up and ran great again. Then it died after a little bit of driving and wouldn’t start again. The fuel filter was replaced. I couldn’t find the connection to measure fuel pressure but like I said, you can’t even hear it kick on. Not sure where to go next!
Aug 2, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Congratulations! Can you upload images of the car, I love barn finds. It sounds like the fuel pump or old gas is getting you on this car. I would drain the tank and drop it, then replace the fuel pump and flush the old fuel out, then reassemble it and refill it with new fuel. That should fix it. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Aug 2, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Avatar
EGGEN57
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok that was my thought. Is there any relays or sensors to check first?
Aug 2, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 15,113 POSTS
The pump in those is VERY quiet when running. I suspect you are losing spark because of the cam sensor in the distributor being corroded. They use heat transfer compound and it tends to dry out over time so it doesn't work very well. The PCM uses that signal for spark and to tell the fuel pump that the engine is running and to keep the pump on. The sensor heats up and shuts off because it isn't able to transfer the heat. My usual repair is to open the distributer and remove the pieces, clean everything, install a new sensor and HEI module with new heat sink compound. Then test drive it.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Aug 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM