Engine quit and wont start

[skipper]

Hello, I have a 94, ATX SHO 3.2l. About 6 months ago my wife was diving down the highway and it just stopped. I tried jumping it but it did not start. I towed it back to my house where it has sat until recently. The weather started getting nice out so I started taking a look to see what was wrong. The engine cranks over just fine but does not catch and start. I checked the fuel filter - OK, checked the battery voltage - OK, O2 sensors about 3 months old, plugs and wires about 1 year old. Fuel pump primes when key turned to start. Tried new battery, still a no go. Any ideas where I could go from here? I do know that there is a broken engine mount, but that should not have caused anything like this unless it happened at the start out from a red light. I have tried pulling the codes, but none show up. That may be because the battery was dead for about 6 months.

Thank you for your time.

Mike

<small>[ March 31, 2004, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: skipper ]</small>

 

[autobahnsho]

If the engine makes a cranking sound, your battery and starter are good.

Does the tachometer show 500-1000rpms as you crank? If not, maybe the Crank Position Sensor (many say CPS but I think they call it CKP now?) is toast. It tells the engine when to fire the spark plugs, along with the Camshaft Position Sensor (Cylinder Identification CID).

There is what looks like an air valve on top of the intake- if the key is on, you can take an old rag and push this in a LITTLE to see if there's good fuel pressure. (YES THIS IS SEMI-DANGEROUS! Technically you should get a fuel pressure gauge to check it.)

Let us know. Good luck.

 

[skipper]

autobahn - thanks for the info, how is this dangerous? I take it someone would have to hold the key in the start position to test this.

 

[masho95]

skipper:
autobahn - thanks for the info, how is this dangerous? I take it someone would have to hold the key in the start position to test this.

Semi-dangerous because the fuel is under pressure and can squirt all over. Definitely don't push the valve in when someone is trying to start the car. All you need to do is turn the key from off to the run position a few times. You should hear the fuel pump "prime", and then there will pressure in the fuel lines.
So if you hear the pump prime a few times and you check the valve for fuel and you don't have any then the fuel pump then you've got a fuel issue.

Did you follow the advice and try the other things in the last post?

Does the tachometer show 500-1000rpms as you crank?

 

[skipper]

When I try to crank it, RPM's are about 150-200. Could it really be the CPS/CKP or CID and actually caused the car to shut down while driving? I haven't checked the other item with the fuel because it was dark out when I got home.

<small>[ March 31, 2004, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: skipper ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Step 1. Disconnect the coolant level sensor.

Step 2. Replace the fuse marked 10A in the underhood fusebox, it is probably blown.

If you have tach reading, you have both cam and crank sensors functioning.

Let us know if that is it.

Steve

<small>[ March 31, 2004, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[skipper]

Ok, I have checked both 10A fuses as well as all of the other fuses under the hood. They are all good. I have disconnected the coolant level sensor from the resevoir but still does not start. I am also going to check the fuel pressure shortly by pressing down on the presuure guage connect on top of the intake manifold.

 

[masho95]

skipper:
When I try to crank it, RPM's are about 150-200. Could it really be the CPS/CKP or CID and actually caused the car to shut down while driving? I haven't checked the other item with the fuel because it was dark out when I got home.

Both the CKP and CMP sensors can cause the engine to die while running. But you had a tach signal while cranking so it's probably not the CKP. And the CMP while flaky at times will usually let you restart the car later. I'd put my guess on the fuel pump, as when it dies you aren't going to be able to restart the car no matter how many times you try to start it. Although you said you heard the fuel pump prime when you turn to key to run... ProjectSHO89 is it possible for a bad check valve on the fuel pump not to hold any pressure and cause it not to start?

 

[skipper]

I have now tested to fuel pressure at the intake manifold and fuel does squirt out when I press the ****** down on the guage hookeup valve.

 

[masho95]

skipper:
I have now tested to fuel pressure at the intake manifold and fuel does squirt out when I press the ****** down on the guage hookeup valve.

Try starting the car while pressing the gas pedal to the floor.

 

[SonicRiot]

Did you check the fuses with a DVOM or did you just do a visual inspection? Sometimes the fuses will have an open where you can't see it.

Have you run any codes?

 

[skipper]

I have tried starting with the pedal to the floor. As I have stated in the original post, there are no codes. I have tried running the codes but the check engine light does not come on at all when jumped for KOEO tests. When I take the jump off, when I turn it to start it does come on as all of the lights are tested. The only other thing that I can think of is a lack of spark or a coil pack prob. Any good way to test this theory?
Thanks

 

[skipper]

Another thing I was thinking is that the computer may be shot. Maybe that is why I am not getting the codes.

 

[masho95]

skipper:
Another thing I was thinking is that the computer may be shot. Maybe that is why I am not getting the codes.

That's a good point, you probably have something wrong with the computer or the wiring to it. Check all your grounds especially the ones near the battery.

 

[skipper]

After testing everything that people have recommended on here there doesn't seem to be much left.

1. Fuel Injector control solenoid - Am getting fuel to the top of the intake manifold but possibly not getting through the injectors.
2. Coil Pack
3. Lack of spark - Haven't checked for spark yet.
4. Computer problem.

Now is there an easy way to check each of these to eliminate it as a suspect? Where is the computer/ecc?

Thanks

 

[masho95]

skipper:
After testing everything that people have recommended on here there doesn't seem to be much left.

1. Fuel Injector control solenoid - Am getting fuel to the top of the intake manifold but possibly not getting through the injectors.
2. Coil Pack
3. Lack of spark - Haven't checked for spark yet.
4. Computer problem.

Now is there an easy way to check each of these to eliminate it as a suspect? Where is the computer/ecc?

Thanks

Spark and fuel are the two first things you check when your car isn't starting. You can eliminate #1 on your list. If you have fuel at the fuel rails you will have fuel flowing through the injectors barring a problem with #4 on the list, or some type of wiring harness problem. #2 possible which would give you no spark. Check the inputs on the coil pack for voltage, and if you have them check for voltage output. Check spark by putting the end of one removed plug wire about 1" from a good ground and have someone crank the engine over for a second or two. You should see an spark from the wire arcing to the ground. #4 The computer is located inside the glove box and the electrical harness for it is on the firewall respective to the glovebox. It's held in by a bolt in the center of the connector.
The first thing I would do is check for spark. If you don't have spark check the coil pack input for voltage and if nothing there examine the DIS module.

 

[skipper]

MASHO95 - Thank you so much for the time and effort. I will check those items out and report back. I have to say that it is really great to have people that are dedicated to the SHO and also willing to share their time and knowledge with someone who is not as mechanically knowledgable about the vehicle. I have had this car new since 94 and have maintained great care for the car inside and out and do not want to part with it. So I really want to get it running again.

 

[projectSHO89]

Go back and check that fuse again. It should be marked "IGN COIL" which I missed in my previous post.

Do you have a meter?

Sounds like it's time to make a few checks.

Steve

 

[masho95]

Try disconnecting the camshaft position sensor (CMP) and try starting it a few times, if you have spark. Any update on the car? Spark? No Spark?

 

[v-tec killer]

My moneys still on the CPS..