Wont start, need help(and ive searched)

[dylan71971]

Okay, so i have a 93 awd, and the thing will not start, it turns over but wont start, ive had a local shop who knows nothing look at it, and they couldnt figure out whats wrong.

Whats weird, is when i turn the key over and try to start it, it turns over, but get this, when i turn the key, the boost guage(stock) doesnt go up, but randomly it will go up, and when i try to start it with it up, it actually starts, but it will only start when the boost guage needle has gone up, otherwise it wont.

Have you guys heard of anything like this before? Please help.

 

[toofast82]

when you turn the key "on" does the check engine light go on? Sounds like your capacitors in your ecu may be leaking. Pull it out and remove the cover and inspect for damage/leaking/smells

 

[95GSXBLUR]

Do you have fuel or spark? or neither? both?

You only need 3 things to start an engine:

1 Fuel
2 Spark
3 Compression

if any of the 3 are missing it will not start. You have to test for each one. I vehicle that I just finished wouldn't start because of no spark - turned out it was the Power Transistor.

You need to check to see which one you're missing. You should be able to see/smell fuel on the spark plugs. you should be able to ground a spark plug out and see if it is sparking. Compression, you'll have to do a compression check.

a few things that won't allow the car to start:
the ECU - bad or not connected. Blown caps.
the Cam Angle Sensor (CAS) - bad or not working
Fuel Pump not functioning
the COOLANT TEMP SENSOR - is one that's often over looked
the Spark Plugs or Wires
the Coil
the Transistor.
or Fuel injectors.

check with those first.

Some times the boost gauge will flicker when you're trying to start it. the boost gauge is an electrical estimate of boost - so if the ECU is acting up, your gauge might be as well. That could be a sign and start there.

Good luck - let us know what you find.

 

[toofast82]

Good basic checklist above
The boost gauge is supposed to be at "0" or halfway when in the "on" position if both components are functioning correctly

 

[dylan71971]

Thanks, i would check the ECU but currently my car is stuck at a gas station due to not starting, and i know it gets fuel, the fuel pump was just tested to be good. When i took it to that shop i mentioned earlier, they replaced the wires, and the ignition module, they told me the coils were still good.

Another thing is, it starts sometimes, and then other times it wont start, it seems as though when the engine starts to get warmer from running, and i shut it down, such as when i go to put gas in it, and i go and try to start it back up, it doesnt.

Thank you for the advice, keep more coming if you think you may know what else it could be.

 

[dylan71971]

Yeah, usually when i turn it on, it stays at the bottom, but when it goes up to the 0 position, it will start. So the times when its at the bottom i'm not sure whats wrong, but im thinking whatever is making it stay at the bottom when i turn the car on, is the same thing keeping it from always starting.

 

[stevo911]

Sounds like its a bad cap in ECU. Not the engine getting warmer but the acually inside of car blowing heat on the ecu which is making them leak more. Suggest lookin in ECU.

 

[95GSXBLUR]

I'll agree that it's more than likely the ECU - when it's real intermittent like that, it's normally something electrical making contact, then breaking contact with vibrations, or heat issues.

Sounds like you need the ECU repaired.

 

[stevo911]

To get it home go to your local walmart walgreens or whatever is close and get a can of compressed air. Turn it upside down and spray the ecu with it (cover on) that should get you home so you can properly look at it.
And dont everone tell me it wont work I have done it three times now

 

[grnchevyz]

Does the car turn over at all when it won't start? If it doesn't you have a bad starter. My car was doing exactly what you are describing. Turns out the heat of the engine was causing the internals to expand ever so little that it was jamming against the housing. Changed the starter, problem solved.

 

[ZyklonBZombie]

To get it home go to your local walmart walgreens or whatever is close and get a can of compressed air. Turn it upside down and spray the ecu with it (cover on) that should get you home so you can properly look at it.
And dont everone tell me it wont work I have done it three times now

that kind of mexican witchcraft won't work .... j/k ... i have had to do this myself twice now

 

[dylan71971]

haha thanks for the input guys, and i'm definitely going to have the ECU checked out, and to the guy who asks if it turns over, yes it does turn over so im sure thats not the problem

and i managed to get it running so i got it home :], i'll have to keep that compressed air idea in mind though, thanks again everyone

 

[stevo911]

No problem thats why we all come here to give and get feedback on issues with the beauty known as the DSM. If you need any help looking for ECU damage post a few pictures.

 

[dylan71971]

one thing i'm wondering about is, if it were the ECU would the CEL be on? Because oddly enough it's never on.

 

[95GSXBLUR]

no if the check engine light is NEVER on - even when you go to start the car... it's definitely a bad ECU.

the CEL should could on briefly when you turn the key to the on position. then it should go out. If it doesn't - there is a wiring (unlikely) or an ECU problem.

 

[dylan71971]

Oh okay, so i just got the ECU out, and well i dont know what any of the terms for it are, but a few of these things are bent sideways, and theres some weird lookin crap goin on with it, i took some pictures tell me what you think, thanks again. :]

1st is the picture of the weird lookin crap.

2nd is the bent things.

 

[95GSXBLUR]

Don't worry about the bent things - lots of times the chips are soldered in that way.

I'd be more concerned with the "weird crap" is it a gooey substance on the board?

 

[95GSXBLUR]

taking a second look @ the pictures looks like some of the circuity is burnt or damaged. you need a new ECU.

 

[rush2252]

in the first pic where the words "weird crap" are written those black objects are the caps that are usually leaky culprits in the 1gs. Id say just by the first pic that the damage to the board is a sure sign something isnt quite right