@$#@$ car wont start - again

[AwdMikey]

OK, I have no idea what is wrong with the stupid car this time. It refuses to start. The car will turn, start for a second, idle very roughly at around 500 RPM's and then die. I changed the spark plugs. When I pulled them out they smelled like fuel. The exhaust smells strongly of fuel. I'm going to change the wires when I get home. Any other ideas?

-Mike

 

[AwdMikey]

Oh - and I have been having problems the last 7 - 10 days with power loss. The power loss has been random, or at least I have not been able to figure out the pattern. Some days its really bad, some days its non existent.

 

[SwiftKidGSX]

I would check for a faulty CAS...

Joey 99GSX

 

[AwdMikey]

I have a feeling that is what it is. Supposedly a guy I know is shipping me one, but he is not answering his phone, so I'm guessing I'll be spending the 350 at the dealership. Is there a way to test that sensor so I can know for sure. I pulled the codes from the car two days ago and the only one it was throwing was the engine temp sensor because the wires got pulled out of the sensor when I was changing my clutch and I have not taken the time to rewire it yet.

Also - if it was the CAS wouldnt that cause the injectors not to fire? The spark plugs definitely smelled like fuel when I pulled them out. I really am not 100 percent clear on what the CAS controls, so I could quite likely be wrong.

 

[AwdMikey]

I want to fully check the ignition system for problems. Does anyone know a good procedure for doing so if the car wont start?

 

[ben90tsi]

Have you checked your ECU at all yet?

 

[luv2rallye]

First thing you should do before anything else is test ignition: pull all plugs, connect them back to their spark plug wires, hold them against something metal (ground) while wearing insulating glove, have someone crank the engine, and see if you have a strong spark in each (you can do one at a time). If they are all wet, use new plugs. A weak spark in both 1&4 or both 2&3 is a bad coil or power transistor. Weak spark in only one is bad spark plug wire. Get back to us with results.
Also do you have a CEL and code?

 

[AwdMikey]

The CEL is on, the only code is the temp sensor that located next to the thermostat. The wires got pulled out when I changed my clutch. The symptoms came 3 weeks after the CEL came on.

On a side note, my car has head power loss problems since I bought it in January. They always seem to come and go, with no pattern that I can identify.

I'm going right now to check the spark. Have to wake up my little brother first though, need an extra hand!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Should I still check the ECU?

 

[AwdMikey]

I just checked all the lines. 1 and 4 have NO spark. 2 and 3 have decent spark. Coil Pack?

 

[talonawd94tsi]

says like your coil pack went belly up

 

[SwiftKidGSX]

I just checked all the lines. 1 and 4 have NO spark. 2 and 3 have decent spark. Coil Pack?

Test the most obvious..

First, see that all wiring is hooked up properly.
Second, the coil pack
Third, the unit transistor
Forth, the CAS.
And last but not least...the ECU...


Sucks if it is the ECU, let us know what the fix was.

Joey 99GSX

 

[luv2rallye]

In here is a diagram of how to ohm test a coil pack: http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130662

 

[AwdMikey]

In here is a diagram of how to ohm test a coil pack: http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130662

Thanks a bunch for that link! I picked up the 150 dollar coil pack from the dealership this morning. I am going to put it in when I get off of work. Is there anything I should know regarding removal / installation. Also, does the coil pack need to be broken in, or can I smoke the tires tonight?

-Mike

 

[luv2rallye]

nope and smoke away

 

[AwdMikey]

Well I just replaced the freakin coil pack and car wont start. I am looking at the ECU right now and the caps are fine. I am fixing to go put the ECU back in and change the CAS. Any other ideas??? What is the power transistor mentioned earlier?

 

[AwdMikey]

The CAS was disconnected, I put the key in the ON position, turned the CAS and I heard the injectors fire, followed by spark plugs and the engine turning once. I'm guessing those were the two spark plugs that are firing since the engine turned. Regardless, I'm going to take this to mean the CAS is fine since it's not throwing a code. I am out of ideas. Please help!

 

[AwdMikey]

WTF, my car is running. This happened after I disconnected / reconnected the CAS. I'm guessing it is going out. Any one agree / disagree?

 

[luv2rallye]

maybe but it also might just be the ECU synchronizing itself to a signal it was not getting. I would force a ECU reset by disconnecting the battery for 1 minute and then see before jumping to any conclusions.

 

[AwdMikey]

I did not unclip the CAS, I removed it from the engine to see if it was malfunctioning. I turned it a couple of time to see if the injectors / spark plugs would fire. I had a friend ship me a used one that is working, so I'm going to put it in to see if it makes a difference. The only problem is he actually sent me two because one of the wires was pulled out of the sensor on one and the clip was cut off the other. I need to splice the wires so everything will work.

 

[1991gs-t]

I did not unclip the CAS, I removed it from the engine to see if it was malfunctioning. I turned it a couple of time to see if the injectors / spark plugs would fire. I had a friend ship me a used one that is working, so I'm going to put it in to see if it makes a difference. The only problem is he actually sent me two because one of the wires was pulled out of the sensor on one and the clip was cut off the other. I need to splice the wires so everything will work.

dang man...you shoulda asked around before you bought the coil pack n stuff....i have a coil pack AND a CAS just sittin in my garage, I woulda just shipped it your way

 

[AwdMikey]

- Yeah I guess I should have. On that note, I just put a post about regarding my temp sensor wires that got clipped. I think I'm going to need one of those! I'm fixing to go put in the new CAS. My fingers are definitely crossed.

 

[AwdMikey]

2 And 3 Are Not Firing!!!! Why!!!!!

 

[luv2rallye]

First check all spark plug cables, connectors and grounds, then the 2&3 coil, then the power transistor, then the ECU.

 

[AwdMikey]

The power transistor is the only thing that I have not checked. My haynes book was eaten by my dog =/. I'm going to do a search on that topic right now. If I can't find it, or you know how to check it let me know if you don't mind.

 

[AwdMikey]

It is the power transistor!!! Who's got one? I need my car running ASAP, its my daily driver =/.