JFPryde
Proven Member
- 61
- 7
- Feb 26, 2015
-
Colorado Springs,
Colorado
Ok, so here is my no start thread. I know a no start should be relatively easy to diagnose, yet here I am. I recently purchased a 2nd DSM fairly cheap. The former owner couldn't get it running well and it was behaving as though the ECU was in limp mode. The guy wanted it gone, so I got a stock, well maintained 96 automatic transmission TSi for about 1200 bucks. This car is intended to become my DD while I rebuild my 95 MT TSi.
I towed the car to my place and set about diagnosing its problems. At the time the car would start and idle poorly, but it would eventually die when the MAF was plugged in. When the MAF was disconnected it would idle and run terribly, but it wouldn't die. I replaced the MAF with a known good MAF (from my other Talon) and it ran better, but still poorly. After further inspection of the intake system I found that the UICP, right where it meets the stock side mount intercooler, had blown off. Problem Solved! I reattached the pipe to the intercooler and took the car around the block, but the pipe blew off again. I got the car home fine, and before the pipe blew off, the car was running great. I really think that the motor is in great health despite its age and the turbo seems to be in great condition as well. Unfortunately, the stock IC pipes were a little worse for the wear and could no longer create a satisfactory seal. I since addressed that problem. I believed the root problem solved(incorrectly metered air making it to the engine), but now the car won't start. I've got a classic crank but no start. What I can't fathom is what changed between the car running great a few days ago and the sudden no start symptoms I'm currently dealing with. I've read many no start threads and have worked through just about everything to no avail (plus most of the threads die with out a resolution posted). Diagnostics I've conducted so far as below:
Spark:
- installed throw away plug in wires and tested all 4 cylinders, arcs to the valve cover observed on all cylinders
- installed known good plugs (again from other Talon), everything checks out
Fuel:
- check for fuel just before regulator and fuel is observed coming out
- spark plugs are clearly wet with fuel (all 4 cylinders)
- sprayed TB and in each cylinder with starting fluid and observed no effect while cranking
Timing:
- Mechanical timing verified
- ECU swapped with known good ECU (stock 2ga ECU that was originally from other talon)
- CAS and CPS checked as per this thread, both are putting out correct voltages http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/wont-start-new-head.379677/
Other things checked:
- Checked wiring to coolant temp sensor, I was wary about the connecting so I re soldered a good wire to it. The sensor MAY be bad I suppose, but it looks to be in far better condition than the one in my other talon. I was under the impression that the car would likely still start if it wasn't too cold out (50-60 degrees last few days)
- All fuses checked
I know I need to check compression, but I couldn't fathom any serious internal mechanical issues popping up out of the blue. When I did the test drive, there was absolutely no indication of anything mechanical at least. I will run to harbor freight tomorrow and get a test kit to confirm however. Other problems may be with how long the car sat. It probably needs some good gas, but I feel like the starter fluid check should have ruled this out as a root cause and its not as if gas goes bad literally overnight. I also have a cheap Harbor freight timing gun, nothing fancy, but enough to confirm timing. I have to paint the timing marks and check this tomorrow as well but there should be no reason timing was altered. Lastly I should point out that I have mostly been trying to start the motor with the intake system completely unhooked (throttle body is open to the air). While the car won't run great like this, I believe that it should still start.
Sorry for the long thread, but I'm trying to be detailed. I'm reaching for additional ideas at this point and would appreciate any help.
I towed the car to my place and set about diagnosing its problems. At the time the car would start and idle poorly, but it would eventually die when the MAF was plugged in. When the MAF was disconnected it would idle and run terribly, but it wouldn't die. I replaced the MAF with a known good MAF (from my other Talon) and it ran better, but still poorly. After further inspection of the intake system I found that the UICP, right where it meets the stock side mount intercooler, had blown off. Problem Solved! I reattached the pipe to the intercooler and took the car around the block, but the pipe blew off again. I got the car home fine, and before the pipe blew off, the car was running great. I really think that the motor is in great health despite its age and the turbo seems to be in great condition as well. Unfortunately, the stock IC pipes were a little worse for the wear and could no longer create a satisfactory seal. I since addressed that problem. I believed the root problem solved(incorrectly metered air making it to the engine), but now the car won't start. I've got a classic crank but no start. What I can't fathom is what changed between the car running great a few days ago and the sudden no start symptoms I'm currently dealing with. I've read many no start threads and have worked through just about everything to no avail (plus most of the threads die with out a resolution posted). Diagnostics I've conducted so far as below:
Spark:
- installed throw away plug in wires and tested all 4 cylinders, arcs to the valve cover observed on all cylinders
- installed known good plugs (again from other Talon), everything checks out
Fuel:
- check for fuel just before regulator and fuel is observed coming out
- spark plugs are clearly wet with fuel (all 4 cylinders)
- sprayed TB and in each cylinder with starting fluid and observed no effect while cranking
Timing:
- Mechanical timing verified
- ECU swapped with known good ECU (stock 2ga ECU that was originally from other talon)
- CAS and CPS checked as per this thread, both are putting out correct voltages http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/wont-start-new-head.379677/
Other things checked:
- Checked wiring to coolant temp sensor, I was wary about the connecting so I re soldered a good wire to it. The sensor MAY be bad I suppose, but it looks to be in far better condition than the one in my other talon. I was under the impression that the car would likely still start if it wasn't too cold out (50-60 degrees last few days)
- All fuses checked
I know I need to check compression, but I couldn't fathom any serious internal mechanical issues popping up out of the blue. When I did the test drive, there was absolutely no indication of anything mechanical at least. I will run to harbor freight tomorrow and get a test kit to confirm however. Other problems may be with how long the car sat. It probably needs some good gas, but I feel like the starter fluid check should have ruled this out as a root cause and its not as if gas goes bad literally overnight. I also have a cheap Harbor freight timing gun, nothing fancy, but enough to confirm timing. I have to paint the timing marks and check this tomorrow as well but there should be no reason timing was altered. Lastly I should point out that I have mostly been trying to start the motor with the intake system completely unhooked (throttle body is open to the air). While the car won't run great like this, I believe that it should still start.
Sorry for the long thread, but I'm trying to be detailed. I'm reaching for additional ideas at this point and would appreciate any help.
