ATX is DEAD. Won't start :(

[SHODOGG]

Car drove fine all day yesterday, parked it last night about 2am. This morning, I get up, go outside to start the car, it absolutely will not start. Just cranks and cranks at a constant rate. It doesnt even pretend that its going to catch for a split second or anything like that. Its almost as if the DIS is disconnected, but thats not the problem. I changed the DIS module with another one I have that I know is fine, no change. I checked the codes, nothing. I tried cranking while holding the pedal down, no change. I tapped the CCRM and the car started right up. But wait! There's more! Drive the car 2 blocks, it DIES. Absolutely will not start again and no amount of tapping on the CCRM does anything. I can hear the fuel pump turning on when I turn the key to the "on" position. WTF is wrong with my car???

 

[revhardSHO]

I would say its the CCRM.

 

[SHOtimer]

Does the fuel pump prime? I would check the schrader valve for fuel pressure.

Doug

 

[ohfosho]

check the ground wire first, from the neg on the battary to the passenger fender screw ground, and then to the ECU. but other than that do you get any codes when you try to pull them (even the pass codes 1 or 111)? and do you get the fans and fuel pump test then?

 

[V6&V8SHO]

Hes got fuel pressure, and the grounds look good from what I could see when I looked in there. The only thing I would think would either be the CPS sensor which has never been replaced on the car or maybe the IAB?

 

[gurucomputers]

Car drove fine all day yesterday, parked it last night about 2am. This morning, I get up, go outside to start the car, it absolutely will not start. Just cranks and cranks at a constant rate. It doesnt even pretend that its going to catch for a split second or anything like that. Its almost as if the DIS is disconnected, but thats not the problem. I changed the DIS module with another one I have that I know is fine, no change. I checked the codes, nothing. I tried cranking while holding the pedal down, no change. I tapped the CCRM and the car started right up. But wait! There's more! Drive the car 2 blocks, it DIES. Absolutely will not start again and no amount of tapping on the CCRM does anything. I can hear the fuel pump turning on when I turn the key to the "on" position. WTF is wrong with my car???

Not sure what year your ATX is but mine is a 94 and one day just died, would crank but no start. After troubleshooting it all day, it turned out to be one of the small 10 amp fuse in the fuse box under the hood that goes to the fuel pump and either the coolant or washer fluid level sensor. Check it out.

 

[Shuey]

CID and CPS.

 

[Redline]

More likely a CPS than a CID. A bad CID will usually only cause problems when its hot but will start fine when the engine is cold.

 

[SHO Type U]

problems when its hot but will start fine when the engine is cold.

This is one syptoms of a bad starter. A bad CID, will crank forever but will not start.

 

[Rockledge]

A bad CID (camshaft position) sensor alone will not prevent the car from starting and running, it just may take several cranks to get it to turn over. Heat can play a role of course, in that a good sensor may become a bad sensor when hot and then become a good sensor again when cool.

A bad CPS (crank position) sensor will prevent the car from starting or running. Heat again can play a role. Intermittent failure can occur.

If the ignition system is suspected as being the culprit, then that would mean that it was a complete coincidence the that tapping of the CCRM resulted in the car starting. Based on the facts as stated, I wouldn't be ready to go there just yet.

 

[Redline]

This is one syptoms of a bad starter. A bad CID, will crank forever but will not start.

If it is hot, this is correct, although sometimes it will start and try to run super rough but just end up dying. If it is cold though, a CID will not cause any problems (unless it is completely shot).