GM NONE RUNNING DIAGNOSIS

[fordman]

its a c code 3.8. it only uses one damper but there are many to choose from. i did alot of studying before i bought one.

[cdeal28078]

Some years of those engines are bad about the lower and or upper intake breaking and filling the engine up with water. My sister's Park Avenue had that problem and acted a bit like yours. It would start for a second or two and die. I still think the crank sensor sounds like a good bet. Even though the balancer looks the same did you pay close attention to the area that triggers the sensor? Also don't believe every number on every box. Just because the box says it is so and so part doesn't mean it is. Those are good running engines when they run right and my sister's Park Avenue is one of the best riding front wheel drive cars I have driven and will actually move down the road pretty good for a large car
clint

[ToughOldFord]

An '88 should be OBD I, you can pull the codes on early GM's with a paperclip. Even the cr*ppy manuals tell how and I'm sure it's all over the web.

[fordman]

the balancer was exactly the same. i found the problem though. the gas gauge doesnt read right. it was running out of gas. i put gas in it and it stayed running.

[cep62]

That reminds me of a story .
My dad worked at a chevy dealership (I know but he only drove Fords) a customers car was towed in end of day on a Friday, no start.
Monday morning a mechanic pulled it in , no fuel . diagnoses gas tank empty.
The guy spent a weekend in a motel plus a tow bill because he was out of gas.
Maybe he planned it that way , ...but he was a chevy driver.