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**pat mcgroin** · 05-24-2009, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the respones guys.
Here is what I have learned in no particular oreder.

mack1: The coil packs are the C3I type with all 3 mounted to the same plate with the ignition control board underneath, so if there is a mix up its internal.

octaneman: I have thought of that and did a sort of a modified version in that I made certain the radiator was/is full. I used the burp screw to be sure that it was as full as possible and have left the cap off to keep an eye on it. That was the first thing that I did as I know that is a pretty dependable way to detect blow-by without a radiator pressure tester. The coolant has a good color and no bubbles. So I am going to need to get it running for further diagnosis of that.

Im fairly certain that I have made progress. I got a schematic from Auto Zone and even though it it wasnt completely accurate it was pretty good. Im not sure if GM got it wrong or Auto Zone but I guess that doesnt matter. If anyone has a different ignition schematic for a 98 3.8 I would like to see it.

Any way The vehicle has a 2 sided crank posistion sensor. One half sends a 18x reference and the second half sends a 3x reference. (each per revolution)
I nicked the wires and put a volt meter to them.
Not having a graphing multi meter I cranked the engine by hand.
More blood and more beer later I dertermined that the sensor was operating correctly going into the ignition control module but that the 3x reference was not coming out correctly and going to the main computer.

I have been told that Auto Zone can test the ignition control module but with only about 50% success.
I would think that the 3x signal on a 6 cyl. would be standard and should fall in the 50%.
In the schematic it shows the 3x signal as basically a pass through but there isnt enough detail to be certain.

The owner cant get one until Tuesday due to the holiday and payday so keep those cards and letters coming because I just am not yet certain and I hate to throw money at a problem..

EDIT: 2 things I forgot.
The plugs are gapped correctly and I looked into the cam posistion sensor but the manual say it only controls the injectors and will revert to a standard pattern. Enough to allow it to run.

Thank You thus far Pat

05-24-2009, 07:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 603 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: 98 Buick 3.8 Start Help Thanks for the respones guys. Here is what I have learned in no particular oreder. mack1: The coil packs are the C3I type with all 3 mounted to the same plate with the ignition control board underneath, so if there is a mix up its internal. octaneman: I have thought of that and did a sort of a modified version in that I made certain the radiator was/is full. I used the burp screw to be sure that it was as full as possible and have left the cap off to keep an eye on it. That was the first thing that I did as I know that is a pretty dependable way to detect blow-by without a radiator pressure tester. The coolant has a good color and no bubbles. So I am going to need to get it running for further diagnosis of that. Im fairly certain that I have made progress. I got a schematic from Auto Zone and even though it it wasnt completely accurate it was pretty good. Im not sure if GM got it wrong or Auto Zone but I guess that doesnt matter. If anyone has a different ignition schematic for a 98 3.8 I would like to see it. Any way The vehicle has a 2 sided crank posistion sensor. One half sends a 18x reference and the second half sends a 3x reference. (each per revolution) I nicked the wires and put a volt meter to them. Not having a graphing multi meter I cranked the engine by hand. More blood and more beer later I dertermined that the sensor was operating correctly going into the ignition control module but that the 3x reference was not coming out correctly and going to the main computer. I have been told that Auto Zone can test the ignition control module but with only about 50% success. I would think that the 3x signal on a 6 cyl. would be standard and should fall in the 50%. In the schematic it shows the 3x signal as basically a pass through but there isnt enough detail to be certain. The owner cant get one until Tuesday due to the holiday and payday so keep those cards and letters coming because I just am not yet certain and I hate to throw money at a problem.. EDIT: 2 things I forgot. The plugs are gapped correctly and I looked into the cam posistion sensor but the manual say it only controls the injectors and will revert to a standard pattern. Enough to allow it to run. Thank You thus far Pat Last edited by pat mcgroin; 05-24-2009 at 08:03 AM.