Car has trouble starting

[DSMagnum]

Last weekend I started my car up, it had a little bit of trouble, but it started. I have had it in storage for the last 5 months (I start it up when I come home about twice a month) but when I went to start it today, it tured over, sputtered, and then continued to turn over, but not "spark" and start up. What could the possible problems be? I replaced the plugs and wires last year (7 months ago, 5 of which the car has been in storage) with MSD 8.5, and NGK's, so maybe distributor?

I was in the process of moving the car so I could get all my tools behind the car to take of the heat shield on my exhaust manifold to check for a possible leak. I doubt this has anything to do with the problem, but I figured it wouldn't help to tell you. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it normal for these cars to give you hell after they have been sitting for a while? It seems like it has been lately. Thanks again.

-Mike

 

[femmeDSM]

Try some fresh gas. Gas will go bad, especially after 5 months.

Maybe some Seafoam and possibly Octane Booster in the tank, as well.

My money is on old gas in this case
Depending on how much is in the tank, you may need to drain the tank and refill it. I know on 1gs there's a drain plug on the bottom of the tank. I think it's the same w/ 2gs, but maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong

 

[CCR17Darcy]

I have a simular problem with my car, except mine is a daily driver. The other day I leave work and start my car up. It turns over, and idles..... extreamly low (around 150, 200 rpm). I think to myself, "huh.... wierd". Just that morning it was idleing at around 500rpm, so I didn't really understand the drop off. I had just filled the gas up earlier that day, so I'm thinking, maybe they put crappy gas in?

Anyways, the next day I go to start the car, and I get no spark. The car is putting to much fuel into the chamber, and soiling the spark plugs. I'm thinking it's my MAFS, because my o2 sensors seemed to be getting readings.

The weird part is though (when it did run) it would drive just fine above 1000 RPM's. It would just idle WAYYYYYY low, and now it doesn't work at all

Any ideas?

Oh, and there is no CEL, which I find to be odd.

::Edited to add more information::

Readings off the o2 Sensors.
Front: 0.240
Rear: 0.800

 

[femmeDSM]

Could be bad gas, or it could be your ECT (Coolant Temp Sensor) on its way out. When these go, they are supposed to throw a CEL, but I've seen cases where they don't, or won't right away.

Check the wires to the sensor; they might have become disconnected from the plug. You can refer to your FSM for proper testing procedure for a 2g. Do you have a logger? If so, hook it up and see what readings it's giving you for coolant temp. When your temp sensor goes bad, it gives readings that are waaayyy off (I've seen -100*F even). This will cause the ECU to dump fuel into your cyls, which would "drown" the plugs, obviously.

 

[CCR17Darcy]

Thank you for the reply so quickly. I've been reading other posts that have discussed a simular problem, and have seen the ECT sensor come up once or twice. Unfortunatly, i don't have a logger, so I can't be more helpful. It's just weird that there wouldn't be an CEL or anything like that, and how quickly the thing would go bad. I was hoping for just ONE month with out spending money on this thing. maybe April will be better....

 

[femmeDSM]

Check the wires to the plug. Do you have an FSM? If you need help locating it, I'll be glad to point you in the right direction.

Then again, since the problem occurred right after you got gas, it could just be bad gas. Can't hurt being thorough, though

 

[CCR17Darcy]

That's a negative on the FSM, and an "I have no idea where to look for the sensor" to checking the sensor.

What tool do I need to check the wires (I don't have many/any tools). Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[VAGRNT]

TRY using the search function for keywords like "IDLE, LOW RPM" ETC.

bet you'll find an answer..

-V

 

[femmeDSM]

That's a negative on the FSM, and an "I have no idea where to look for the sensor" to checking the sensor.

What tool do I need to check the wires (I don't have many/any tools). Your help is greatly appreciated.

I don't have my 2g manual in front of me. I'll check the testing procedure for you when I get home later tonight.

But to give you a rough idea of where it is, you'll be looking for it on the lower portion of the thermostat housing. It's a gold-colored plug with a (usually black) electrical plug connector over it. It's larger than the coolant gauge sending unit.

Here's a picture of it courtesy of DSMotorsport: http://www.diamondstarmotorsport.com/maintparts_files/coolant-temp-sensor.jpg

You won't see the long gold piece - just the bolt part, electrical connector, and a couple of the threads sticking out of the waterneck.