SHO won't start, BAD SPARK.

[the4biddendonut]

My SHO was running just fine, until yesterday when it started raining. I got finished with work and it wouldn't start. I figure maybe the moisture is messing with the electronics. So I went back today and tried to get it running again, and still got nothing. I pulled a spark plug to see if it was getting spark and it does have spark, but the spark is orange. I also noticed a puddle of oil in the spark plug well, so the valve cover gasket probably needs to be replaced.

I've never owned a SHO before this one and I just purchased about 2 weeks ago. So I'm wondering if this seems to be a common problem with the SHOs??? Do the ignition coils or modules go bad on these cars often or not??? Is the oil in the spark plug well a huge issue that won't allow me to get the car back to my home that is 5 minutes away???

Any advice on where to start on this problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

[the4biddendonut]

By the way, it is a 93 SHO with an ATX if that makes any difference. I would also like to know if there are any other issues that may cause a bad spark. I'm an amateur when it comes to cars, and am new to the SHO. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[excidere]

Yes that is a VERY common problem with the SHO. Replacing the valve cover seals is a regular maint. item as a part of the 60K. I suggest doing the whole 60k, your car will run much better and LAST longer. http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm AWESOME how too's with pics! In addition www.shotimes.com has some good reading on what to look for in the days to come!

You should also look into doing the rod bearings sometime soon... they tend to wear quite quickly as well.

Oh yeah WELCOME TO THE FORUM! The SHO is not the greatest car if you are not super mechanically adept. However in MN I believe there are quite a few local members that would probably be willing to offer help! Its a great community!

Edit: One more thing, I am not trying to be an a$$, but SEARCHING is your friend!

 

[the4biddendonut]

how about any thoughts on the getting a better spark? I don't have a lot of money to sink into the car right now. a new coil alone is over $60 at autozone.

 

[luigisho]

I wouldn't suspect the coil as much as I would fouling wires. You need to replace the valve cover gaskets and throw some fresh plugs and wires in there. Does the plug have carbon tracking down the sides? Also, if there is oil on the plug wells you should clean it out as best you can before pulling the plugs. That way the oil and any sludge that settled in there doesn't flow into the cylinder.

 

[the4biddendonut]

the spark plug looked like a healthy plug. it didn't have carbon buildup on the firing end. is there a way to check if the wires or the coil are good or not by using a multimeter???

 

[the4biddendonut]

From bad spark to no spark.

I went back today to change the plugs and wires, and discovered that I don't have any spark at all anymore.

Is there anything besides a coil or ignition module that will stop you from getting any spark at all on these SHO's???

 

[kzoosho]

Crank sensor or cam sensor.

 

[ohfosho]

try pulling your engine codes...it's free to do, and really easy once you have done it a few times. as long as the battery hasnt died, or been unhooked then you can get stored codes out of the beast.