Newbie: I need to get my car running!

[pinknuggit]

i bought this 1990 talon tsi fwd from a friend, and it does not run. It will crank over but not start.. symptoms are:
-No spark from the plugs and the fuel pump does not turn on

Everything works fine on the car, it's just that it won't start..
Also, it's got 210k miles on it.. is there anything i need to look at as far as "common trouble spots"?? any sensors that need to be replaced?

Also, there are no CEL codes, and when we hook the code reader up to the ecu, it will say "response Timed out" and not give any codes..

i've narrowed it down to most likely the ECU being bad.. is there a way i can test everything out to see what's the problem?

 

[Norb85]

sounds like the ecu. same thing happened to my car. i got the fuel pump relay replaced too.

 

[ntjoe]

Pull the ecu and open the case...its located behind the radio. I'll bet you'll have leaking capacitors in there and the circuit board is eaten up.

Good Luck!

 

[pinknuggit]

hey, first of all: thanks for the replies!

second: the ecu was the first thing i took out.. when i opened it up, i did not see any blown caps and the circuit board looked fine.. However, i was going to purchase a new ECU anyway just to guarantee that it's not the problem. Do i have to get a vehicle specific ECU, like one for a 1990 eagle talon tsi fwd? or can i get one from a 91 or anything like that?

third: Where is the fuel pump relay located at?

While tinkering around this evening, i was measuring voltage on the terminal that the cam position sensor connects to, but i was not getting Any voltage reading at all.. two of the prongs have ground, but i did not get any power from anywhere.. is the CAS supposed to get power from something?

Also, the fusebox above the drivers side kickpanel was missing alot of fuses.. i can't find the fuse identification anywhere in the chilton's manual, so could someone help me identify the fusebox and what each fuse does?

again, all help is greatly appreciated, and i look forward to future responeses!

 

[laserturbo91]

hope this helps
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ECUs.html
goodluck with her, also check for anyshaft place, just take the intake off and there should be a shaft sticking out fromt he turbo, see if you can move it around, you shouldnt have any movement

goodluck,
jeff

 

[pinknuggit]

Thanks!

my ecu is identified as the federal MT high line..

Does anyone know if other model ecu's will work in my '90, or will i have to get an ecu from a '90 tsi fwd federal mt high line??

 

[awd_terror]

Originally posted by pinknuggit
second: the ecu was the first thing i took out.. when i opened it up, i did not see any blown caps and the circuit board looked fine.. However, i was going to purchase a new ECU anyway just to guarantee that it's not the problem. Do i have to get a vehicle specific ECU, like one for a 1990 eagle talon tsi fwd? or can i get one from a 91 or anything like that?
third: Where is the fuel pump relay located at?

While tinkering around this evening, i was measuring voltage on the terminal that the cam position sensor connects to, but i was not getting Any voltage reading at all.. two of the prongs have ground, but i did not get any power from anywhere.. is the CAS supposed to get power from something?
B]

You can get a different ECU from another year car but there are 2 wires you have to switch around and Im not quite sure which ones (do a search ) To answer your question about the fuel pump, its located in the gas tank. You need to pull the carpet in the rear up and take out the spare. On the left of the car you will see where it goes in. Lastly, your CAS is all part of the spark process. If it is bad your car will not turn over (I had the same problem), although, there are 2 other parts that go along with the spark to, the Transistor pack, and Coil pack, but check the cas first.

 

[pinknuggit]

ok, i ordered a new CAS and ECU.. they're on the way..

i'll see what that does when i get them installed...

is there a certain position that the CAS has to be in?? like if i take the old one out and crank the engine (for example), will it mess something up?

 

[awd_terror]

Originally posted by pinknuggit
is there a certain position that the CAS has to be in?? like if i take the old one out and crank the engine (for example), will it mess something up?

Yes, there is a certain way it goes in. DO NOT turn the car over or try. When you take the c.a.s out, adjust the new one to the same postion as the old and reinsert it. The c.a.s almost acts like a distributor in the way that if you turn it in either direction it will affect the way the car idles. Anywho, try going to the auto part store and buy a Hanes machanic book, it will be well worth it owning a DSM!!!

 

[pinknuggit]

hehe, thanks for the info..

i already have the Chilton's for the 90-98 eclipse, and it has helped out Alot!.. although, it labels the CAS as the "crank position sensor"..

ive already found a few errors in the chilton's, but they are tiny and i know better..

So when this new CAS gets here, all i need to do is turn it the same position as the old one and insert?

Also, i think i stated this above, but when i had the digital multimeter out, i was testing voltages.. the 4 prong plug that the CAS plugs into has two good ground, but i'm not getting any voltage that's being sent to the CAS.. is the CAS supposed to get power from something?