Questions and Answers

Buick Electra Hates The Cold Q. Howdy! I have had this car for five years now and since I purchased it I have had two problems. Problem #1: Anytime it is colder than 28°, the car will not start. If the temperature climbs to between 29° to 32° F, it will start, but run very rough for a few minutes. After that, it runs fine. Any ideas on why it is so sensitive to cold?

Problem #2: Last summer, the outside temperature was at 100° F. All of a sudden, the engine stopped. No warning at all; it just quit. I checked, and there was not a trace of any spark. I towed the car home and put it in the garage where it has sat ever since. Unfortunately, the battery went dead over the winter and has been since replaced, so there is no way I can retrieve any codes. What to do??? Can you please give me some hints on what could be wrong?

• 1988 Buick Electra
• 3.8 liter
• Automatic transmission
• 100,000 miles
• Fuel injection
• No ABS brakes
• P/S; A/C; and Cruise control
• Rack and pinion steering

Thank you!
Chris

A. Computers can be sensitive to temperature changes when they get older. Make sure the check engine light comes on with the key on. First guess would be the ECM, but no spark could also be an ignition module, crank angle sensor, or a wire problem.