95 Bonneville Not getting gas, won't start

Hi All. I have a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville (bought used, it's what fit my single mom budget :disappoin) I have notice it is probably in need for a tuneup...was going to get one next payday....however, last night after being stuck for 3 hours in bumper to bumper traffic I make it almost home...I noticed the car seemed to be struggling to get gas...then the low gas signal came on(I had filled up 3/4 full the previous day) so I pulled over and got gas at the corner store. I filled up. Upon attempting to start the car, I got nothing. Lights were on and the windows could roll down. I called my father(retired mechanic) who got the car to start enough to drive it the next street over to their home. We noticed a smell of some kind but not exactly sure what it could be. (oil/filter change the week before + air filter change) All fluids were at their proper level-oil, coolant, power steering, brake and trans....After parking it...It does the same thing, won't turn over to start...What could be causing the poor gas performance? what could cause the car not not want to start? I'm trying to figure out what to repair and how expensive? :frown:

It sounds like the UIM (upper intake manifold) has failed. Don't keep trying to start the engine if it’s not turning over, you could break the starter or even bend a connecting rod. If it’s not turning over then remove all 6 spark plugs & see if coolant comes out of the cylinders when the engine is turned over.

What happens is the 'plastic' UIM deteriorates around the EGR port allowing coolant to enter the UIM just behind the throttle body. The coolant then enters the combustion chamber & if the engine is running you should see a lot of steam coming out of the exhaust. This is most likely what you smelled. Once the engine is turned off coolant will continue to leak around the EGR port until the cooling system pressure drops. This can allow enough coolant into the combustion chambers to hydrolock the engine.

Let us know what you find but it sounds like you're going to need a new UIM & you should also replace the LIM (lower intake manifold) gaskets. Coolant can ruin spark plugs so they should also be changed.

Hi, thanks for the reply. My dad checked it and he says he is able to start it but only in neutral...not in park like normal. He thinks it is the cable that controls this or something...I think it might be called a shift interlock switch connector...(I think) but At least it will crank...He thinks it might also be a bad catalytic convertor... Update...Today we did a tuneup...changed all sparkplugs and all wires...tested coil packs and one was bad...replaced. Yay the miss is gone...(my first tuneup I've done with Dad's help) changing the fuel filter tomorrow...today was long enough...however car still will only start in neutral..what is the part for this?

That's the park/neutral safety switch. On later years it's on the transmission just below the master cylinder. I imagine it's the same on the 95's but can't say for sure. I can send you a wiring diagram if your dad wants to know which wires to check for continuity. PM me with an email address if you want the diagram.