95 gsx died suddenly, no start, crank sensor?

[dan0]

Hi. I'm new to the DSM scene. after wanting to jump in for years, I finally bought a 95 gsx.
My evevenentual plans are to do all kinds of crazy mods etc, but not before I understand how it works normally and have gone through it and made sure everything is in good shape. I've never been an auto mechanic but I'm good at troubleshooting (computer background) and can follow directions. I used to have an old Porsche 944 that I worked on and kept running.
Anyway, my eclipse, on the way home from work the other night, died suddenly (running for maybe 3 minutes and not hot yet.
I remember seeing 0 rpm on the tach while the car was still moving and the clutch was NOT depressed. Is this meaningful? Should one of the sensors CAS or CPS still show RPMS as long as the engine is turning?

So it doesn't appear that I'm getting spark.
Fuel seems OK
Car cranks
The resistance test on the coil pack was OK
When I tested the CAS (rectangular connector) I saw about 5v on the line blue or blue red wire with ignition on and it bounced between point something and 5 when cranking.
The same test on the triangular connector showed about 5v but it didn't bounce when we cranked the ignition. It remained constant.
Before i order a replacement, does this sound like a faulty crank pos sensor since the voltage dIdn't bounce? That's what it sounds like to me but in my n00bhood, of like to hear more experienced opinions if anybody has a chance to reply.
Thanks --oh and is the crank sensor something I'll be able to replace without wishing I was dead by the end of the job.
I have the two separate sensors on the drivers side... If this is The problem would it be easier to just go with the 1g sensor on the other side?
Thanks

 

[Dsmkauai]

Crank sensor involves removing timing cover, not to hard but definitely not a small job. As far as checking the sensors check this thread has some answers http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/195209-how-do-i-test-cam-sensor-crank-sensor.html

 

[slammedndirty]

Check your power transistor as well

 

[92AWDHX40]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/217951-how-diagnose-no-start.html

this will help with a no start basics, spark, fuel, compression, check wiring, cas, coolant temp sensor, coil pack, mpi fuse fuel pump, ecu damage, wiring at start circuit, compression injectors firing, fuel at rail, double check everything and make sure voltage is where it should be for the sensors, don't assume everything is ok, the simplest things can cause a no start.

 

[Insane20]

In your fuse box under your hood there is a fuse called engine something "can't remember the exact name" but I believe it's a 30 amp and it's a big fuse. If that blows your car will just die and not start again until u put another in.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Mpi fuse is what your referring to I think.

 

[dan0]

Thanks everybody. Turns out it was the crank position sensor. I finally got everything out of the way and replaced it. I'm running again!

 

[donniekak]

Did you check to see why it failed? A lot of the times either excessive crank end play, or a foreign object physically breaks the sensor.

 

[tharrison365]

could be crank or cas

 

[dan0]

It looked like a foreign object had gotten in there. Coincidentally, the whole thing happened right after one of my windshield washer sprayers (the one that's just about right over the timing belt) fell off. I'm thinking that some part of that must have gotten down there. My next purchase is a new upper cover (the previous owner either removed or didn't have one in the first place.)
There were bits of plastic and magnet all over down there -- I carefully removed everything.
Funny how all my non-dsm friends laughed when I said I thought it was the crank sensor... Of course they also laughed when I described the ordeal involved in getting to it

 

[92AWDHX40]

Old parts eventually fail some dsms are over 20 years old just simple wear and tear.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Did you make sure it wasn't the trigger plate that hit the CAS? Like by installing the new CAS one and rotating the crank by hand?

 

[dan0]

It seemed to clear the plate when I turned it. Its been running OK (well as OK as it was before -- I have done work to do on it...) For 3 days now.