Help, SHO won't start!

[dirttrackSHO]

I have an 89 SHO that won't start. It will crank, but not start. For awhile it would start if you would hold the gas pedal to the floor. Now nothing. There is spark coming from the plugs and the fuel pump is making all the right noises etc. You can smell fuel like the car is flooded after cranking the car just once. I push started it once, but now it won't even start that way. The RPM gauge moves as you crank the starter.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[projectSHO89]

Hmmmm..

Sounds like timing has jumped based on recent threads.

Pull the upper timing cover and check the alignment of the cam sprocket gears to the crank dampener timing mark.

Steve

 

[DeeK]

did it die while driving or turning sharply? theres a switch that shuts off the fuel pump if the car is jurked, like in a wreck. to reset it theres a button in the trun of the car on the driverside its red & sits on top of a black box. you may have to pull back the carpet

 

[bradman]

Need more data. What symptoms did you have before the car failed to start? How did it run when you did get it started? When you try to start it, does it spit, sputter, pop,... or will it not fire at all? Did you check the diagnostic codes? There is a good chance if you check the codes you will find the answer or at least clues.

 

[RI-SHO]

It would be nice if you gave some more symptoms and what was wrong with it before.

Here is a video I did when my timing was off just a bit: http://www.RI-SHO.com/shop1.wmv (1.5MB - 46sec)

Let us know if sounds anything like that because if it does, IMO its your timing, because sometimes my SHO would start and other times it would do what it did in the video I made above.

 

[dirttrackSHO]

I bought the car about a month ago. I have not driven it very much. When I first bought it, it was hard to start because of a dead battery. When it would start, it would sort of bog down a little. It acted like the catalytic converter was clogged, so I had that removed and new pipes put on. Car ran like a top, had lots of power etc. Was still a little hard to start. Mostly had to hold the pedal to the floor for it to start. The other day when my dad tried to start it, it popped and sputtered a few times and she did finally start. But that was 5-6 days ago, now the SHO just cranks and cranks and cranks....

BTW forgot to mention that as soon as you crank the car (whether or not touching the gas) you smell fuel very strongly, like the car is flooded.
Thanks

<small>[ January 09, 2003, 08:14 AM: Message edited by: dirttrackSHO ]</small>

 

[RI-SHO]

If its popping its your timing, especially if you already dealt with the piping/cat.

Have you bothered to watch the video I posted above? It'll show exactly the same thing your describing, just so you can comfirm your same symptoms. Just right-clicl the link and click save-as to download it, even on 56K it shouldnt take more than 15-20min to download.

<small>[ January 09, 2003, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: RI-SHO ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

BTW, holding the pedal to the floor during startup signals the computer to shut off the fuel injectors.

Not sure if you realized that.

Steve

 

[91 SHOplus]

Welcome to the forum DT. I'm no mechanic, but There are others on this board who could build a running SHO out of paper mache.

Anywho, I wonder if it could be the DIS or CPS sensor? shrug Just a thought.

 

[dirttrackSHO]

Ok, here's the weird part. The SHO started by pulling it. It wouldn't start by turning the key, but we pulled it and popped the clutch and she started and ran great. When she first started she popped, sputtered a couple of times and then ran like a top. So what could be the problem?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Could be you have the 10 tooth starter instead of the updated 12 tooth. The 12 tooth spins the engine approximately 50rpm faster.