No spark

[GoldenBoy42]

Here's how it started. I was sitting in my driveway with the car idling, getting ready to pull out, when the car dies. No odd noises, it didn't stutter then die, just stopped. I try to start it, everything is normal except the engine doesn't fire up. I check lines, check fuel, everything is good. I pull the spark plugs and they look like crap so I change them. The car still does not start. I pull the plugs back out and check to make sure there's a spark. There isn't. Looks like I found the problem.

I start following the problem back from the spark plugs, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing. The plugs are new, the plug wires are almost new, so I assume those aren't the problem. Somebody please give me some ideas!

*edit* Car is completely stock, in case anybody asks.

 

[DSM90AWD]

Did you check to make sure you still had a timing belt?
Mine went in much the same fashion

 

[GoldenBoy42]

When I said completely stock, I meant the head was rebuilt, and the rest of the engine along with the tranny was replaced from a japan spec "cyclone" motor. Yeah, all the belts were replace about 4000 miles ago, and the alternator belt was replaced about 30 miles ago. The timing belt is still good to go.

 

[mastadogg2]

Do a test on the coilpack, if thats good then check your main fuses, if there ok the ecu is definitly in question.

 

[GoldenBoy42]

I'm trying to learn some things, pretty much taking it all from my haynes repair manual, but I'm still having some trouble. How should I test the coil pack? What about the fuses?

 

[97jestergst]

well i had the same exact thing happen to me and i dont know how well you know these cars but the cam sensor is the timing adjustment for these cars now i would say if it electrical theres three thing i know would cause the xact problem you have and you ccan figure it out with a test light and a chiltons guide on the cam side of the motor theres two elec. plugins (1)one for the coil pack, and (2) one for the power transistor now unplug both plugs blow them out and make sure there getting a clean connection these two plug have complete control over your engines spark asuming ur ecu isnt fried and on my 92 were the wires went into the plugs was cracked and the wires were to broke to send spark signal make sure ur wires arent cracked and the plugs have good conection and if that doesnt fix and as i said before the cam sensor dependin o year theres 4 or 5 wires going in one model with one red wire and one with 2 red wires check them along with other wires going into the plug (located on opposite side of the cam gears its a round puck shaped peice that fits into the head and senses your cam location so its right were your cam is on opposite side of motor from gears) check these wires to see if theyre cracked and disconected this also happened to me and stoped spark all together hope this helps!!
-Jester

 

[mastadogg2]

Just for future reference http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html is really helpfull read everything on there on the newbie section and it will help you learn more about your car and his faq's are all very helpfull, and http://www.plymouthlaser.com/

 

[90TSIRS]

i have had the same problem you speak of many times on the first gens the ignition modules burn out for one reason or another, you get no spark and everything else in fine first check the connection of the harness that pulgs into it, its located on the side of the intake manifold right below where your coil pack is assuming its in the stock location a little black box with one of those pin clips if it is tight and clean then check your grounds one from fire wall to intake manifold where throttle cable mounts and a couple others in that general area lossen them wiggle and retighten if all that checks out and your checked the wires on the cam angle sensor then think about changing that module

not 100% sure but i believe that the module is the same for all turbo and N/T motors some one come back to me on that but if it is you can find one in the junk yard on some hyundais, sonata and excel, or scoupe or any 1 gen laser, eclispe, or talon. 1ga that is i beleive 1gb is differnt
good luck

 

[WhiteTsiAwd]

Check your MPI fuse. There will be a group of 3 fuses on your positive battery cable, right next to the battery. The MPI fuse will be the 20 amp fuse closest to the drivers side. Make sure you take it apart and look at it b/c they are bastards sometimes...

cody