Just did a rebuild....Now car cranks but wont start

[1992GSX]

I've been searching the forums and looking at threads of people that have had a similar problem to mine and none of the solutions they've had are working for me so now I'm coming to you guys for help.

Here's the deal. I have a '92 gsx which I just rebuilt the 6 bolt on it with Wiseco pistons 8.3 compression, and eagle rods, arp studs, poly mounts and so on. The car is a work in progress and right now is only lightly modded with a 16g and 2.5" catback that were on the car when I bought it. In the rebuild I also removed the balance shafts and all the emissions stuff; the evap canister, all the vacuum lines, egr, and all that.

Now, the problem: When I try and start the car it cranks but wont start. I've checked the spark, injectors, and all the wiring from the harness. Its all good. I then bled the clutch and brakes and tried to pull start it. Here's the weird part, as soon as the car was in gear and we started pulling it, brake fluid went everywhere, I dont have the hood on so it went all over my engine bay and all over my car, underneath and on top. When its just sitting there it doesnt leak at all though. I cant find where its coming from and I have searched! When I pulled it in gear, the motor was turning but it still didn't start. I even heard the turbo spooling!

So after that I brought it back in my garage, put it all up on stands, put it in gear, and then spun the wheels to see if I can find the leak. Problem is, the wheels simply spin like they're in neutral, front and back, and the opposite wheel will spin the other way. A buddy told me that thats normal today. But I dont know how I can find that leak if it only leaks while its in gear and moving. And I am completely spent on why the car wont start! I dont usually post in threads because I can usually find the answer somewhere else on the forum but I am at a complete loss here!

Any ideas?

Thanks

- Bradey

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

My car does the same after i changed the head gasket it took a while to get the car started and it started couple times and now it wont start period cranks but no start can someone help us out?

 

[viprez586]

Did you dry start it?(Not priming it) I'd hope not. Any way, check for fuel pressure, see if your pump is turning on, check for boost leaks. If your dumping way too much fuel try cranking with only 3 injectors clips plugged in.(unburnt fuel in the 1 cylinder will help kick it over)

 

[1992GSX]

Tried that and no good. I know my pump is turning on because I can hear it and the injectors are firing. There are no boost leaks either.

 

[bostonhatcher]

If a car doesn't start you obviously check air fuel and spark. Also make sure all that is happening at the right time. If you're injectors are squirting fuel and you're sure you're getting air try flipping your cam angle sensor 180.

 

[1992GSX]

I checked air, fuel, and spark. If you read through my original post you would see that I checked all those and was good.

K, NEW DEVELOPMENTS: I thought that possibly my cam position sensor could be bad so I checked the voltage on the sensor and on the harness itself. I ran several tests, with the harness attached and with it disconnected from the sensor. All the voltage reading are reading correctly. So, obviously its not the sensor or harness. Could it possibly be my pcm? I'm starting to wonder if the computer has gone into a limp mode because of all the mods done on the motor with the stock ecu. I used to own an FD and if the stock ecu in those cars became overloaded or detecting something wrong it went into a limp mode where it wouldn't even go above 3000rpm. Do the stock ecu's on these cars have something similar?

 

[yokotabrat]

Not sure of any limp mode on the stock ecus other than when some major sensor like the MAF fails.

Have you verified your cam angle sensor is aligned properly? Are the spark plug wires going to the correct location on the coil pack? Have you checked compression? Any check engine lights?

 

[JKL]

When I swap in my motor I had the same cranks but no start symptom as you. I realized that it was my ecu that was bad. Also, the wire harness for the injector resistor and something else has the exact same plug so triple check that connection.

 

[clipise]

very interesting that you have this problem. i had this problem also and all it was doing was cranking over. i changed out the ecu with a different one and cranked it over. it started after that. i also had to adjust my afpr too.


i say change out the ecu and give that a try. that solved my problem. i have basically the same mods as you, but alittle more done up.

 

[1992GSX]

thanks for the suggestions.

I haven't checked compression yet. Yes, my spark wires are going to the right place, 4123. I have a CEL because of the balance shafts and now emissions so I now that'll turn it on.

I'm going to try everything said tonight when I get off work and search around for an ecu. (if anyone has a stock ecu you want to get rid of PM me) I'll let you know how it goes

-Bradey

 

[yokotabrat]

Have you pulled the code for the CEL? There isn't any way for the ecu to know about the balance shafts being removed and the only emissions related code I know of for 1gs is the EGR.

 

[1992GSX]

I haven't pulled the code yet. I've been completely ignoring it. I just assumed the computer was pulling a CEL ### of the emmissions, and balance shafts. I tried everything else tonight. Checked the plugs and what not. The only thing I haven't done yet is threw a timing light on it, and check the compression. I'm pretty sure its the ecu though.....Guess I better start saving for DSMLink!

 

[viprez586]

Next step, check your timing marks. Did you turn it to TDC before you removed the head? Was the cams locked in place when you removed it, so some dumb person didnt come and try spinning one? Sounds like a timing issue.

I have all emissions stuff disconnected and i mean everything. No CELs.

 

[adidalax]

Our engines are interference engines. If the cam was off, he'd have bent valves and a lot of noise....

Did you try flipping the CAS yet? If this is off enough, it'll try to fire in the wrong order. How did you check for spark? Can you smell gas coming out the exhaust when you try to start her?

 

[1992GSX]

I checked for spark by unplugging each wire and holding close to a ground while someone tried to crank it. I could see the spark jumping from the plug wire to the ground. I tried flipping the CAS already. Still need to check timing with a light. I have to get my hands on one first and i'm always so busy I keep forgetting to stop by auto zone.

I cant smell gas out of the exhaust but I know the injectors are firing. I tested that by unbolting the fuel rail and had someone crank it. I could see each injector firing.