SHO wont start, pulled code 542

[BangSHO]

My 95 atx wouldnt start this morning after starting perfectly fine last night. When i turned the key it cranked but wouldnt fire no matter how many times i tried. I pulled codes and i got a 542. I know it means secondary fuel pump circut failure or something close, but when i turn on the car i can hear the pump priming, and i have fuel pressure at the rail. The tach does respond when i try to start it. What could the problem be? Any help here would be appreciated, as my sho is the only car i have right now. Thanks

 

[93SHO'nOFF]

Is there an alarm installed?Do you have good spark?Good fuel pressure(32-40psi)?Are plugs fouled out?Allways check the basics first.Finding out what is missing narrows down which system is at fault.

 

[BangSHO]

no alarm, the plug wells have some oil in them, but they have for atleast 6 months, and ive never had a problem before this. i plan on getting the 60k done this winter, but with the problem it may be sooner. How can i check for spark?

 

[qiksho]

I pulled the same code out of the stored codes on my 92mtx the other day. However my car has always started, however lately it has been taking longer to start. I also had a no tach situation which hasn't come back since the one isolated incident??

But anyway since you cranked it alot it is possible you flooded it. I would try again after a bit and if it doesn't start right away then put the accelerator to the floor. Doing this shuts off the injectors.

Other than this I have no advice for you.

 

[Dustin89]

CPS failure??
Same thing happened with my car. Went out in the morning and would not start.

I would get a spark tester to see if you have spark.
60K sounds like the best fix to all your problems.

 

[93SHO'nOFF]

The easiest way to check for spark without a spark tester would be to pull a plug wire off the front cyl head,put a screwdriver in end where plug would be(small phillips),and place it 1/4" -1/2" away from intake or any ground.Then have someone crank the engine over.Observe if it arch's,but make sure you are not holding it while cranking,you will get a nice shock if it does have spark(unless your into that?,pain is such a rush!!!)also make sure there is no fuel spilled near by,it could ignite and light the car up like a roman candle.But honestly it may be wiser to punt and have it looked at by a qualified technition,sometimes it gets very involved to properly diag. a nostart condition without the proper equipment.If you do feel like you can tackle it I'll help out as much as I can.
Later,

 

[BangSHO]

Ok, I testesd for spark today with the screwdriver in wire method and got no arc. so I waited till tonight and tested again figureing I could see an arc better at night and still nothing. i even touched it to the intake and didnt get a single spark. so im assuming i have no spark. could it be the coil pack? the DIS? the CPS...? Im thinkin i should just get a upper and lower 60k and that should take care of any problems i might have. Any other suggestions or specifics on what it could be, or if a 60k wouldnt solve my problem?

 

[projectSHO89]

Check the 10A fuse marked IGN COIL in the under hood fusebox. If it is blown, disconnect the coolant level sensor in the overflow tank, replace the fuse, and drive off.

This is a common fault on all the Gen II ATX cars.

Steve