Car Wont Start looking for Suggestions.

[Skip01]

Hey guys my 1990 eagle talon tsi sat up for about 4-5 weeks after i broke an axle launching all the time i would start it 2-3 times a week to make sure everything was ok and gas didnt go bad. I fixed it last week and everything was fine.. Yesterday im leaving work.. car will not start..

I Have check everything i can think of and nothing so far.
So Far i have check plugs, plug wires, igniton coil, GM Maft, Gas, Fuel pump, Injectors, Best as i could boost leak. Im looking for any suggestions on what i should check next. It turns over fine after a few cranks itll try to start and then just die.
Thanks ahead of time.

 

[eclipsegst1990]

This problem sounds like a problem I had in the past. I hate to jump right to the worst possible scenario, but check your ECU as soon as possible to make sure your CAPS are ok. Do it soon so you could save the board.

Also, do you hear a clicking sound near the area ECU when you turn the ignition to the "on" position? You should also hear your fuel pump whine for a few seconds.

If you have a datalogger, check to see if you're getting the error "ecu comm error."

 

[eclipsegst1990]

Check your mass airflow sensor and see if the wires are connected properly and that the connector spades aren't bent. When the car turns over, does it run rough and die or does it idle for a few.

 

[Skip01]

Have not checked the Ecu but do not hear any clicking noises of any sort and yes the pump whines when it tries to start (Sometimes it'll fire over one or twice and die).. I have a logger If the ecu is going bad will it def throw a code? my car is stuck at my job atm and i cant do any major work till i can get it home.

 

[drewvr4]

it couldnt anything....really

so start off and see if you have spark and fuel, more then likely your compression wouldnt just be gone so dont worry about it...

 

[Quasimondo]

Take a look at your coolant temp sensor as well. If it's giving the ecu an incorrect reading, that can make it hard to start when cold.

 

[Skip01]

OK well i just towed it home.. I get into the driveway and hey i figure why not try and start it.. Starts right up.. turn it off after 2-3 mins.. turn it back on starts right up... runs for a while and i turn it off.. Few mins later i get in to try and start it again.. Put the key in and theres this LOUD clicking noise coming from the console area (Dunno where the ecu is located) and then it stops.. car will not start..

 

[weldtuner]

i had a similiar prob with my tsi, the temp sensor wiring was corroded which was telling the ecu that the car was always cold, so it would dump a ton of fuel and flood itself out. try checking resistance of temp sensor wiring or at least inspect wire connector at sensor, good luck!

 

[Skip01]

I pulled out my ecu and well nothing "looks" wrong im not really sure what to look for There are 4 green rectangular blocks and 2 of the 4 have some sort of liquidy stuff leaked out one side (Very very small ammount) onto 4 little blue cylindar shaped resistors and the liquid looks to touch 2 of the blue cylindar shaped resistors right next to each other.. I really need to know what to look for maybe a picture of some sort or anything really..


Ok Post Update.. in the middle of the board there are 4 circuit boards surronding 2 caps and what i think is a diode.. One cap is definatley leaking onto the diode thing in the middle (I think its a diode atleast.. its like a very small cylindar shaped and its sideways with 2 Very large peices of wire coming out soldered to the board) and its leaked all over these 2 things

 

[Forsakened]

If anything on the ecu is leaking its probably not good. Pics would help us tell you what is leaking but it sounds like you are in for some fun.

 

[1stGenTSi]

Yah, the ECU is definitely your problem. If you have not done anything with it yet, open your yellow pages and look for electronics repair. Call some of the shops you see and tell them you need 3 new capacitors replaced on your ECU (engine computer if they dont know what an ECU is) and that you need the board cleaned up. Print out this webpage http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/caps.html or have the repair guy pull up that website, which will give him a better idea of what hes looking at. They should have the replacement capacitors at the shop as they are quite common. Also see if he has caps rated up to 105degrees instead of the 85* ones that come stock. I called a couple of TV repair shops and found a guy who was willing to clean up the board and replace caps for like $20 i think. He turned out to be a real electronics wiz and did a great job. If you get caps replaced correctly and the car still doesn't start then you'll probably need to get on eBay and find yourself a new ECU. ::Beware buying from private sellers, I bought a fried ECU the first time:: I'd recommend MotoGuy, and hey you can upgrade to an Eprom if you didnt have one already. Good luck.