Suddenly no spark and no start

[jaded93atx]

I drove my 93 atx to work this morning, I had no problems, as a matter of fact lately I've been mystified at how reliable its been. I got out of of work 8 hours later and surprise ...no start. It turns over fine, I can hear the fuel pump run, the tach registers at about 500 while turning over, ive had no ce light or any other driveability issues in months... and yes there's its got gas, a little over a 1/4 tank. I checked the tail pipes and could smell unburnt fuel, I thought I may have flooded it and waited 45 minutes, still no start just a very strong turn over.
I havent been under the hood so theres really very little chance that something got unhooked.
Any body out there have any ideas, all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[Rob94]

Try pressing the accelarator pedal to the floor and holding it there while cranking the engine. If it is indeed flooded, this will clear it.

 

[jedhead]

Verify if you have spark by hooking up a timing light. If you don't have spark I would say your CPS failed. Mine failed without warning 6 months after I did the 60K and replaced the CPS as a preventative measure. I didn't account for the "murphy" factor when I replaced a working CPS with a new one that failed 6 months later.

Bob

 

[Bizzy]

Verify if you have spark by hooking up a timing light. If you don't have spark I would say your CPS failed. Mine failed without warning 6 months after I did the 60K and replaced the CPS as a preventative measure. I didn't account for the "murphy" factor when I replaced a working CPS with a new one that failed 6 months later.

Bob

If the CPS fails the tach won't move when cranking.

Check your DIS to make sure that it's connected securely. The only 2 bolts on the DIS that really matter are the bottom 2.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

I would also try pumping the gas pedal or holding it to the floor like Rob said. It could be that your IAB/IAC isnt opening giving the engine any air...which would yield no start, good cranking, tach showing cranking, unburnt fuel smell, and no CE light.

When you press the gas pedal you are manually opening the throttle body (I believe) to let air in.

 

[Bizzy]

I would also try pumping the gas pedal or holding it to the floor like Rob said. It could be that your IAB/IAC isnt opening giving the engine any air...which would yield no start, good cranking, tach showing cranking, unburnt fuel smell, and no CE light.

When you press the gas pedal you are manually opening the throttle body (I believe) to let air in.

When you hold the gas pedal to the floor you're cutting out the injectors so no more fuel goes in.

 

[Rob94]

When you hold the gas pedal to the floor you're cutting out the injectors so no more fuel goes in.

You're also opening the butterfly wide allowing lots of air in.

 

[duckrider]

if you find the problem post it up because my 93 is the same way, i changed the dis on mine with no luck........

 

[Bizzy]

duckrider, did you run your codes? Have you started a help thread yet? If not then feel free to so we can try to help you also.

 

[duckrider]

duckrider, did you run your codes? Have you started a help thread yet? If not then feel free to so we can try to help you also.

thanks bizzy... i did along time ago when the problem fist occurred and got some good advice........... i think my problem is my computer, it will not go into self diagnostic mode and will not give me any codes..... with all the other probs the 93 has i just decided to rob parts off of it...... but his question just made me think about mine..... because it sounds just the same

 

[jaded93atx]

Sorry I havent replied, I've been on the road and away from home for work. As far as flooring the pedal along with trying to feather it everywhere in between its not changing the results. Lots of turning over but not even a stumble towards starting, and out of nowhere. Its acting like its out of gas but like I said its got over 1/4 tank, and the fuel pump runs loud and clear ... and I do have a tach signal. I checked the ground strap and its secure. The DIS is my next thought also but would it really just quit like that? I checked the connections and did the "wiggle test", they were clean and everything looks good. I can pull it off, clean, and check those bottom screws tommorrow, but damn it was running so good earlier and has been, nothing was messed with in between.Weird!

Is there something else I'm missing that could of got unattached by engine movement?
Man I would love to get this resolved before the end of the long weekend
Thanks Again for all and any replies and advice
Steve

 

[Bill Harrison]

Sorry I havent replied, I've been on the road and away from home for work. As far as flooring the pedal along with trying to feather it everywhere in between its not changing the results. Lots of turning over but not even a stumble towards starting, and out of nowhere. Its acting like its out of gas but like I said its got over 1/4 tank, and the fuel pump runs loud and clear ... and I do have a tach signal. I checked the ground strap and its secure. The DIS is my next thought also but would it really just quit like that? I checked the connections and did the "wiggle test", they were clean and everything looks good. I can pull it off, clean, and check those bottom screws tommorrow, but damn it was running so good earlier and has been, nothing was messed with in between.Weird!

Is there something else I'm missing that could of got unattached by engine movement?
Man I would love to get this resolved before the end of the long weekend
Thanks Again for all and any replies and advice
Steve

It is not impossible for a fuel tank sender to stick at around 1/4 tank or so, if this is where it is commonly filled during the cars life. I see it alot in the used cars we get. If it acts like its out of gas, then do the smart thing and put some gas in it. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid (Thats my motto as a technician)

Try the EASY and obvious things first. Never trust a gas gauge. A car needs 4 things to run - Compression, Spark, Fuel, and proper Timing. The 2 easiest to check are Spark and fuel. Easiest way to eliminate fuel is to remove the air intake duct, hold open the butterfly, and give it a good blast of starting fluid. Put the duct back on, and try to start it. If it fires, then dies quickly, you have a fuel problem. If it still doesnt fire, I would start to lean towards the other items. If you need any help checking them, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[jaded93atx]

Big Thanks Bill, I'll give it a try, it sure would be nice if that was all it is. I'm hoping for something simple, although the gauge has always been right on, then again its always started on the first try too, so nothings out of the question.
I'll let you know.

 

[jaded93atx]

Well I got the car towed home. I checked for fuel at the rail and theres plenty of pressure, I checked by cycling the key releasing the schrader valve then doing it again and it sprayed plenty of fuel.
I went to check for spark and when I pulled a spark plug wire out it was covered in oil...bad news for sure but would oil in the wells cause complete ignition failure and not just a poor performance?

 

[jaded93atx]

Fuel level and pressure is good, plenty of "squirt" from the schrader valve. I'm leaning towards the DIS or ignition coil after searching the archives all after noon, the battery is dead now after trying to crank it over so I have to wait until I get it charged to start testing the wires to and from the DIS.
The car has 140,000 and I'm assuming those parts are original. I found Rangerj and Projects posts on how to test those circuits so I guess I'll start there.