420A Help with ECU. Midwest no start issue.

[Eclip97gs]

Hey, I have what I thought was a 97 GS w the 420a but the sticker in the door shows 96. Anyway, We believe it needs a new ECU so I am looking but not quite sure what to get yet. My vin# is 4A3AK44Y9VF019949 does anyone know what computer needs to go into my car or how to find out? The car was running fine but started to act up here and there then out of nowhere wouldn't start. After going through it, we narrowed it down to a new ECU so that's what's next to throw in. The shop that was working on it before us replaced a bunch of stuff and not sure if they even used the correct computer to begin with. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[chrysler kid]

You don’t need a new ecu. The n/t ecu doesn’t fail

Explain why you think it’s the ecu, and it better not be that it’s the only thing the shop can guess

 

[pauleyman]

Hey, I have what I thought was a 97 GS w the 420a but the sticker in the door shows 96. Anyway, We believe it needs a new ECU so I am looking but not quite sure what to get yet. My vin# is 4A3AK44Y9VF019949 does anyone know what computer needs to go into my car or how to find out? The car was running fine but started to act up here and there then out of nowhere wouldn't start. After going through it, we narrowed it down to a new ECU so that's what's next to throw in. The shop that was working on it before us replaced a bunch of stuff and not sure if they even used the correct computer to begin with. Any help would be appreciated.

What you saw on the door is likely the build date, not the model year date. Many 97 cars would be built in 96.

 

[chrysler kid]

The most common reason for a 2g non turbo car to shutoff while driving is the crank sensor being soaked in oil and the connector wires being damaged

 

[Eclip97gs]

The most common reason for a 2g non turbo car to shutoff while driving is the crank sensor being soaked in oil and the connector wires being damaged

Ok, Thanks for the suggestion. I will check that out first then. And yeah... I had a couple mechanics look at it and that's what they suggested. It's getting spark and fuel, enough fuel pressure, pump is brand new and new relay, tried more than one new relay. They bypass the relay to run pump and it still just cranks over with no movement on the tachometer. The obd was showing no rpms on crank and would lose connection... I will just order a new crank sensor and try that first. I bought the car from original owner and he is a old man now that always kept up with maintenence. The shop that was working on it just did a overall before I bought it and replaced tons of parts, then all of a sudden it doesn't want to start and I have been trying to figure it out for a couple months now.

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

Don't get anything other than a good OEM crank sensor - the aftermarket sensors are junk and may cause more issues. Get the connector at the same time since they are known to fail frequently.

 

[chrysler kid]

Ok, Thanks for the suggestion. I will check that out first then. And yeah... I had a couple mechanics look at it and that's what they suggested. It's getting spark and fuel, enough fuel pressure, pump is brand new and new relay, tried more than one new relay. They bypass the relay to run pump and it still just cranks over with no movement on the tachometer. The obd was showing no rpms on crank and would lose connection... I will just order a new crank sensor and try that first. I bought the car from original owner and he is a old man now that always kept up with maintenence. The shop that was working on it just did a overall before I bought it and replaced tons of parts, then all of a sudden it doesn't want to start and I have been trying to figure it out for a couple months now.

Saying it “probably needs a new ecu” is the new mechanic term for we can’t fix it. Usually a shop will tell you they will only install a brand new pre programmed ecu which don’t exist for old cars.

If there’s no crank signal then that’s a sign the valve cover gasket has probably been leaking oil onto the old sensor and the wires in the connector to it

 

[Eclip97gs]

Ok guys, my new crankshaft position sensor with new wiring is coming in the mail today!! I hope to have time after work to install this thing. Man, I hope this takes care of my crank no start issue! I really need this car to run because it is my primary mode of transportation!! Wish me luck and I'll post back when I get to it! Thanks again for the help so far.

 

[Eclip97gs]

Ok, I hadn't had a chance to work on the car until today so I finally got the new crank sensor in and it still doesn't start!! I thought that was the problem because the plug was covered in oil but nope.... My wife is on her last nerve with me because she hates this car... .. What else could I be missing here? Are there any fuses inside the car I might have missed? I don't have the cover for my fuse box and haven't pulled out each one. Could it be the computer after all? Man I'm stuck here.

 

[Eclip97gs]

Wait a second...... I might have it wired wrong.... If you're looking at the new pigtail, release button forward, wires pointing down, open end of plug facing up. It has black on the left, yellow in the middle and red on the right. How do I wire it? Original wires are yellow, black and blueish green w white stripe. Are the new sensors different where instead of just matching up the existing wires no matter the color do I have to match the colors and not worry about position of the wires... I'm a idiot and confused.

 

[Eclip97gs]

Here is the sensor I got... I know its not oem but this is all they had and all I could afford right then... I just want the damn car to start. If I don't use oem could it just not work? Plus I got no directions in the box at all... The dude told me to wire it the same direction as my car left right middle don't worry about color. How would I test to make sure I'm getting power, ground and signal to the wires? Just volt meter each one? Should I have someone crank it while I'm testing signal? Can you just bypass the sensor somehow temporarily just to see if thats our problem? Man I hope it's something I'm doing wrong. Lol

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[Eclip97gs]

I have spark and fuel plus can get the car to sputter when we hit it with some brake clean. It's like the injectors are not firing.

 

[chrysler kid]

I have spark and fuel plus can get the car to sputter when we hit it with some brake clean. It's like the injectors are not firing.

It sounds like you don’t have fuel then if the car reacts to brake cleaner

You can find the factory service manual online for free at www.charm.li

The next step I would do is to check to make sure the fuel pump is receiving a 12v signal at the pump, or to check fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test kit.

These cars are classic cars in their age bracket and can be troublesome like any classic car especially if it’s your only mode of transportation. Reflecting back on my ownership of any old car I’ve found having a back up vehicle can save tons of headache when a random issue pops up. An old ford ranger or an old Toyota Camry can be helpful to prevent “emergency oh shit ‘ repairs

 

[Eclip97gs]

It sounds like you don’t have fuel then if the car reacts to brake cleaner

You can find the factory service manual online for free at www.charm.li

The next step I would do is to check to make sure the fuel pump is receiving a 12v signal at the pump, or to check fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test kit.

These cars are classic cars in their age bracket and can be troublesome like any classic car especially if it’s your only mode of transportation. Reflecting back on my ownership of any old car I’ve found having a back up vehicle can save tons of headache when a random issue pops up. An old ford ranger or an old Toyota Camry can be helpful to prevent “emergency oh shit ‘ repairs

Already did that. Brand new pump and plenty of pressure right at the rail. When we jump the relay so the pump runs, it still just cranks and cranks. This is why I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
Edit. I'm still wondering if my wiring is correct for the crank sensor.

 

[jesse12345]

If it almost starts with starting fluid then it could very likely be your injectors. I had to also wire in a crank sensor on my buddies talon and I just followed the wires from right to left. As long as you didn't cut the wires on the old one down to nothing so you can tell which one went where.

 

[Eclip97gs]

I'm in southern Ilinois, east of St Louis and north of Carbondale.

I'm trying to get my 97 GS 420a to run. Crank but no run going on right now, plenty of fuel, fuel pressure, spark. I have to jump the fuel relay but pump kicks on. Car will spudder when we hit it with some brake clean. Just got done replacing the crank sensor. Tons of new parts on this car cause it was just gone through fully before I bought it. It ran like a top for a year now but a few weeks ago I got out and came back in and it's just crank crank crank no start!

I need help!

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Do you have a scan tool? If so, check for injector pulse while turning over. Attempting to start with brake cleaner or starting fluid would indicate no fuel or not enough is being delivered.

 

[Eclip97gs]

Do you have a scan tool? If so, check for injector pulse while turning over. Attempting to start with brake cleaner or starting fluid would indicate no fuel or not enough is being delivered.

Thanks, I believe I found the issue. Cam sensor has a little piece of metal grooved into it! I ordered a new one with a new pigtail and hopefully that should be it. Should be!

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