No start problem after extensive maintenance

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elarm1

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Lets begin this by saying, My SHO will not start. I have an extensive repair list of things that I have already done but I still have the starting issue. It attempts to start, and sometimes will but will just crank and crank and crank. I've only put about 800 miles on it since I got it and now I notice that if I CAN get it started, I'll smoke up the whole neighborhood worse than Craig and Day Day! I just changed the oil again today and it was black as Flavor Flave. I still had a couple of bottles of auto rx, so I threw on in but it still will not start. When I can finally get it started, I have to goose the throttle so it wont cut off for a minuite or two and then it runs fine. I'm lost so maybe one of you guys can guide me to the light...:angelnot:
 

Mr Anonymous

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Have you tried reading your codes?

That's usually the best place to start.

Link is in my signature with directions on how to do-it-yourself pretty easily.
 

shotime1994

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Code 121= closed throttle voltage higher or lower then expected
code 542= fuel pump secondary circuit faliure eca to ground
code 111= system pass
 

hawkeye18

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starting rough and smoking a lot is usually bad timing... are you sure the timing belt is set right, and that you don't have cancer?

Also, yeah, your TPS is bad as others have said, which can cause this sort of thing. Beyond that, it could be anything... checked your grounds?
 

elarm1

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^ already been through all of that with the timing and such and no I do not have c c. TPS sounds good but that would not prevent it from starting.... I got it started yesterday, after about 10 mins of trying but after it started, it ran with no problems.
 

projectSHO89

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Sure, it might be the TPS or the related circuit.

Remember, the signal for the PCM to cut off the injectors is a TPS signal at max...... This is how a flooded engine is cleared. If the PCM is inappropriately seeing this condition....it won't start due to lack of fuel.

The PCM DOES have a limited-operation strategy to counter input sensor errors. Perhaps that is why you've been able to start it intermittently.

Steve
 

93rev2sev

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How did it run before the maintenance? did you perform maintenance to fix a problem?

Valve stem seals are not the culprit for a no start.

I have a checklist that I use when I'm starting a SHO after heavy maintenance.
1. Plug wires Right side of coil pack is cylinders 1,2,3 (in that order), left side of coil pack are 5,6,4 top to bottom, in that order.
2. Since I'm back there, I check that there are no wires or hoses pinched between the intake and the heads/valve cover.
3. Check that the IAB is plugged in and that ITS wireing is free. (this is a big culprit for me as that wire loves to get pinched, somewhere).
4. From here, I check that the secondaries are plugged in and the vacuum hoses for that are free from kinks.
5. Next, I move to the brake booster vacuum line and the intake grounding strap. Check the other side of the intake ground strap and make sure it's firmly secured to the body.
6. I make sure at least one of the intake end tanks is BOLTED (this is the DIS ground path...another big no-start culprit). If there is any question about the DIS ground, get a digital volt meter set to "continuity tone" and make sure it sounds off when you touch the BOTTOM DIS BOLTS with one terminal and a spot of bare body metal with the other termial. If it doesn't tone, your DIS is NOT grounded.
6.5 check that the fuel lines are not crimped or twisted.
7. Check all the body wireing on the accessory side of the engine bay. This would make me touch the CAM sensor, the SPOUT connector, the ground wires by the washer reservoir, the battery terminals, and anything else I could see.
8. Double check that the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line is connected and the CPS is connected, along with the little single wire that's on the same harness (this is kinda like a wiggle test, just make sure you don't see anything funky and the wireing is not pinched...there's very little room for the harness right there)
9. Move to the coil pack. Check that the condenser capacitor is bolted to the coil and plugged into the harness.
10. Disconnect TPS and take a hard look at the PCV hose.

If it still didnt start, I'd use the paper clip trick to make sure the computer was happy. The fan should come on and you should be able to pull codes (sounds like you've confirmed that)

If that all checks out then you might have a mechanical problem but I'd first swap out the coil pack and DIS to rule those out. Both can cause intermittant starting.

Mechanical: remove the crank pully and lower timing cover. Set engine to Cylinder #1 TDC by rotating it until the crank sprocket timing mark is pointing at the little bump inside the oil pump housing (at abouit 5:00). Remove top timing cover and ensure the sproket marks are lined up with 12:00.

If it still won't fire, reseat the intake. Chances of a large vacuum leak have been increasing every step along the way. To help ensure the intake is not leaking, loosen all the runner hose clamps a couple turns so the intake can "settle" on the heads. Torque the intake to the heads and retighten the hose clamps.

If it still won't fire, possible culprits are CCRM and fuel pressure.
 
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projectSHO89

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Go check the output of the TPS sensor. It's a simple test that shouldn't take more that 10 minutes.

Ignition ON. Backprobe the TPS signal wire. Should be up to almost 1.0 volts DC. Advance the throttle to full and watch for a smooth linear transition to almost 5 volts with no glitches or dropouts.

Also check the TPS harness - they have been known to cause problems...

Steve
 

hawkeye18

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1. Plug wires Right side of coil pack is cylinders 1,2,3 (in that order), left side of coil pack are 6,5,4 top to bottom, in that order.


Very good writeup, but I should point out that it's 5,6,4 from top to bottom on the left side, not 6,5,4. This is how most people muck up their spark system :rofl:.
 

elarm1

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Dis has been swapped out with a know good one. I will reset the intake and all rubber coupling hoses. Very good write up Rev!
 

Eric VerValin

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It's something simple.. you'll find it, or remember it soon enough, and she'll fire right up. I did the same thing.. mine wanted me to look it all over again before it started. :)
 

elarm1

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Hey Rev, I followed your guideline from one to ten and found that a couple of rubber couplings for the intake werent super loose but they were loose. Tighted everything up and by golly she fired right up! I went outside this morning at 0 dark 30 attempted to start it and she fired right up. So I am kicking my self in the A$$ for something so miniscule that can turn into something very big. I'm gonna drive it around for a couple days and rack up some miles as per Auto RX to see if that stuff really works. Thanks guys
 

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