No start. TOTALLY STUMPED

[jasoncitrano]

Ok, here's the deal.
We have a 1990 TSI FWD.
No mods besides an AFC-2 and exhaust.

Problem: Car doesn't start. It will crank but not start. There is Spark, Definitly Fuel (not sure on pressure) and there is compression. We checked the coils and there is 12.10ohms of resistance accross each. Checked fuel pump relay and all ignition fuses and such. Just looking for some tips on where to check next. We also replaced the CAS once when it wouldn't start before. This got it started for a few weeks now it's back in the driveway again not moving. Thanks -Jason

 

[UNDER_PRESSURE]

So you have checked compression, correct? I was gonna suggest checking the timing belt to make sure it's still there...

 

[majik2k5]

It could be possible your CAS went bad again. My friends had 3 go bad in a 4 month span.

 

[majik2k5]

Also, before it quit starting up, did you do anything to the car? Any modifications or adjustments of any kind?

 

[turboTSi1320]

Check the main engine fuse in the fuse box. Are you sure your afc wires didnt ground them selfs and blow the fuse?

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

First, if you can, remove the afc and restore the wiring temporarily back to the way they were.

Do a compression test and give us the actual numbers. You can have fuel but your injectors may not be pulsing. Take a test light and hook it to the negative post of your battery. Turn the key on. You should have 12 volts at each injector. Then take the test light and hook it to the postive post of your battery. Have someone crank the engine and see if you get a pulsing/flashing light on the other injector wire. If it does anything but flash, you lost your drive circuit. This is assuming that you actually have spark.

If you have compression, fuel, and spark at the right time, it will run. It has to.
You have lost one of these.

Let us know. Good Luck

 

[EagleTalon1991]

I had this same problems. I re check my whole timing and found out that was the problem. Car fired right up and just had to adjust it with a timing light.

My 2 cents..
Jeff

 

[jasoncitrano]

Thanks for the tips guys. Here's what we've done so far. He had the AFC professionally installed by www.automotosports.com out here in IL. Now I do remember there being a problem with the afc though...for a while it would stay on no matter what even when he shut the car off. Where is the main fuse? the only fuse i could think that your talking about would be the IGN fuse under the hood which is still good or the ECU fuse which is under the dash which is still good as well. I'll recheck compression and get you the exact numbers. The timing belt is there...the cover is off it so i know it's there and it's in the correct spot. As for the CAS I guess it could have gone bad. Any way to definitly tell if it is the CAS though? thanks again - jason

 

[ddavisaf]

How's your ECU looking?

 

[jasoncitrano]

ECU looks fine, caps are all still sealed up and it looks alright. We have a couple other ECU's from 91-94 fwd's will those work or are they drastically different from the 90 ecu?

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

91 and up are different. There are 2 pins you have to swap to get the 91 to work on a 90 and vice versa.

 

[me612]

I too am having a similar problem. I am going to check for this 'pulsing' like Old Mitsu Tech said. I have spark, I have 150-150-150-145 compression, I unhooked the outlet of the fpr and cranked it over just to make sure my fuel pump is pumping fuel and fuel is circulating, and it sure is. In my case, the car does actually start sometimes. Sometimes after cranking if for a long time, it just starts right up and runs. I'm starting to think my ECU has an issue. But I'm going to try looking for this Voltage Pulse now.

When you say the Drive Circuit is bad, where is this at? In the ECU?

 

[kelvinb]

I had something similar happen to me, but it was my temp sensor wiring. Somehow one of the wires broke off, and it died driving down the highway. I couldnt figure it out (dark) so I got it towed. when I checked it out, one of the wires were broken off. I reattached it and it started right up. Hopefully you have the same problem Is that ok to say?

 

[jasoncitrano]

Hah that's fair enough to say. If that's the problem I'LL TAKE IT! Thanks for the help. Did the 90' ECU's have problems with the leaking cap's as well or was it just the 91's on? Thx in advance.