need help turning on car...yes ive used the search button

[eclipsalon]

please somebody hook me up with some answers.
for some reason evryone else with the same problem, car wont start, either hasnt figuered it out or wont wont post their solutions.
car was driving about 3 days ago. not daily driver so that was the last time i messed with it
vehicle is a 96 tsi awd if it makes a difference
car turns over, back fires sometimes, but never on all the way.
checked the ecu, CEL comes off after 6 secs,
checked for fuel, unhooked the return line,
checked for spark, thats good, also the plugs had fuel on them so guess the injectors arent the issue
it kinda souds like its not in timing, which doesnt make since because it turned on last time and i havent touched the belt since.
Also was curious if i can check the timing by having the 1st cylinder all the way up and making sure the cams and balance shaft/oil pulley are lined up with there marks? asking because i dont have timing cover on.
will the coolant temp really keep the car drom turn? dont know if i need one just read on here somewhere...

 

[khartley]

When you say it was driving 3 days ago, what does that mean? Have you modded it or messed with it in any way recently? Backfiring is caused when unburnt fuel ignites in the exhaust, were you pumping the gas pedal when you were trying to start it? If you were, you probably fuel fouled your plugs and will need to replace them.

 

[eclipsalon]

guess ill try replacing the plugs, didnt know they get messed up like that, because couple months ago i was driving it around with a cracked intercooler, didnt know it was cracked,and i guess it was on "limp mode" ever since. ive read that limp mode gives u too much fuel or maybe the 'boost leak" also cause too much fuel not enough air and now my ngk's are bad? bought those not too long ago either.

 

[austintalon]

I thought you would have a cel if you were on "limp mode"?

 

[cookmeup272]

get your plugs replaced AND GET THAT TIMING COVER BACK ON!!

 

[Tyeler18]

Check your plugs and then test your coolant temp sensor. Sounds just like everyone else who has a no start due to a faulty CTS.

Seems like I've posted this same response in 10 different threads this week. Everyone's CTS is going bad apparently.

 

[eclipsalon]

Check your plugs and then test your coolant temp sensor. Sounds just like everyone else who has a no start due to a faulty CTS.

Seems like I've posted this same response in 10 different threads this week. Everyone's CTS is going bad apparently.

yea its crazy, i think ive read all of your replies too on the same ones funny how im number 10, earlier today i senn that u had 3. and will do

get your plugs replaced AND GET THAT TIMING COVER BACK ON!!

dont have the cover. didnt come with the car. also figured probability of me getting a rock in there or something else is in there is 1/668,457. so i havent really bothered getting one, unless it serves more purpose than just a shield?/timing mark?


http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/217951-how-diagnose-no-start.html
wish i would have found this earlier^

 

[khartley]

When I had a bad CTS, the car would still start, just fall directly on its face.

 

[cookmeup272]

If you don't have a lower timing belt cover, and you are driving anywhere in the world, You are going to get dust, dirt and debris in there. But if you want to be ignorant and not put it on there to protect THE MOST VITAL EXTERNAL COMPONENT TO YOUR ENGINE, then you better not make a thread later on saying " my car stopped working what happened"

 

[GSXSixteenG]

ldont have the cover. didnt come with the car. also figured probability of me getting a rock in there or something else is in there is 1/668,457. so i havent really bothered getting one, unless it serves more purpose than just a shield?/timing mark?

That is kind of an important purpose to serve in my opinion. But what do I know.

I would say check coolant temp sensor and timing. Then if those check out fine I would run a compression test. Moving forward from there I would check for weak spark or faulty injectors.

 

[eclipsalon]

got it!!! turns out plugs were faulty, never heard of that before, but that was it!!! must have been the rich mixture, but the car still shows rich mixtures so gonna keep trying to get it right.

also will try to get the cover for the belt. Thnaks for the help guys

 

[hardcorandy]

As for a cover, Get one from a junkyard or off of this site. Mine was cracked and mitsu wanted $140 just for the lower cover. So i plastic welded mine.