240 Cranks/turns over but won't start

[br007]

Hello everyone, I have a 1992 240sx convertible, automatic transmission, that i am trying to restore and it died on me yesterday. It has about 110k miles on it and is completely factory. I would have towed it straight to a repair shop, but i just spent 1850$ for a new top and new interior and just last week got it back from the dealer after 1500$ in suspension work. After getting it from the dealer they told me that when i drove it in it was running on 3 cylinders and that i should replace all the fuel injectors for a price of 1200$. I already replaced one last year and said no thanks I'll replace them on my own. I replaced 2 and did find the one they said was bad with the volt meter and the car was running smooooooth all week. I was doing 80mph down the highway in 80 degree weather and the motor stops so i pulled off the highway. Waited for it to cool and nothing. It Cranks, i can see the engine moving like it's turning but won't crank. Stereo and dash works with the exception of my ac controls light is out and the instrument panel is now out. If I crank it repeatedly without letting it rest the next crank is dead (won't turn or anything). let it sit after that and it goes back to turning over with no start. I smelled something out of the ordinary, not smoke or anti freeze...not sure what it was but it eventually goes away. I had service for something similar where the guy said it was loose wires with the ignition coil but i checked the wires for the injectors and distributor and coil. I'm not asking for extreme detail as i feel i can work through this with all the step by steps on this site. I'm just wondering if someone could give me a list of what to check first and what to check last being the least likely from the symptoms i've listed. I am flat broke and my wife will kill me if i spend anymore money on this thing right now. I am going to do a rebuild eventually, i just can't do it right now. Thanks for your time in advance.

[chillmieste]

I would def check fuel pressure first see what its at while cranking over the motor. no fuel pressure prolly bad pump. Then check for spark. i would start with those two.

[comatoseculture]

You can sometimes rely on listening for the fuel pump to prime (whine) after key in goes to key on (motor off) So for a quick fuel pump test, have someone move the key while you listen at the filler or at least in the general pump region. I'm wondering more about your battery and alternator. What shape are these in? And can you get a volt meter involved? Just a thought...

edit: also I've seen three of these s13 240's need a new fuel sending unit because the terminals crack and open/short over time. dealer only like 300- COST. You'd likely be blowing the fuel pump fuse if it's shutting off because of the sender, so check that fuse for s&g.

[br007]

Well, time for an update. I have removed the fuel line coming out of fuel filter and turned on key and fuel comes out like a water fountain. I removed a spark plug and put it back in it's wire and touched tip to grounded area and got a spark and it at this point sounded like it was trying to turn over but didn't start. I put the plug back in and the darn thing starts now after sitting for a week. So, i went ahead with replacing the last 2 injectors so all 4 are new now and it runs very smooth. I am afraid of driving any distance for fear of it dying on me again. I have checked all fuses in the cabin and under the hood. What ever it is it's intermittent and pissing me off. I have a voltmeter...battery is 2.5 years old. I have a beck and arnley ignition coil from rock auto on order...may not be the issue but it was only 55$ so i figured what the heck.

BTW, thanks for the suggestions so far...

[comatoseculture]

Use the multi-meter to check how well everything is grounded. Some people experience a lot of trouble from only weak grounds.