240 is driving me INSANE!

[Schmitz_7]

Hey, My first time posting but I read here all the time.

I have a 1990 240SX, SOHC.

I bought the car knowing it didnt run, thinking I wouldnt haver to do TOO much work.

So I replaced the starter. No good. I replaced the ignition switch, HUZZAH the car finally turn over and dosent blow the 30A fuses anymore.

But alas it still wont start.

(yes i have tried searching ther forums)

Ive been led in the direction if the dizzy, as it seems to be a part that goes ?

The engine has 75k on it, transmission has 200k ( i have the certificates)

So I figure I'll take apart the dizzy cover to see if its the coil, maybe?

Maybe its my dizzy itself.

I dont belive its the fuel pump and the car would still start, THEN die.

I want to replace the full dizzy system. New spark wires, new sparks, new dizzy, etc.

But before I throw my money into this new direction i wanted to get some second opinions. ive already spent about 300-350 not to bad. Expected.

(I really dont think its a ground)

Any idea could help. Thank you.

~Schmitz~

Modified by Schmitz_7 at 9:39 AM 2/13/2009
Modified by Schmitz_7 at 10:01 AM 2/13/2009

[Schmitz_7]

ok so. update. im definatly getting spark. so i think its my fuel pump.

[240sxmonsta]

Run a compression test. If compression is good, check the timing. You should hear the fuel pump priming. Let the car sit awhile, then turn the key to the on position. You should hear the pump in the back priming the system. You can also have a friend put his ear near the gas tank filler neck and listen for it in this situation. My 2 cents

[Schmitz_7]

would you suggest udoing the fuel line to just see if it suirts some out as i dont know how to do a compression test -_- ( ^_^ <----- me <--- noob)

Also. to acess the pump i just go into my hatch correct ?

[Schmitz_7]

and the fuel line itself is labeled as what? SA30R9 ? or so a friend tells me?

I cant find any diagrams anywhere and i feel like a freaking idiot right now.

[240sxmonsta]

You might have clogged injectors, so pulling a line wouldnt solve anything because you will be getting fuel. You can probably hear the fuel pump priming from the drivers seat.

Here is how you do a compression test,

Get a compression tester from autozone, i think they rent them. Its like a small gauge with a vacuum line that goes to a sparkplug like end.

Take off all your spark plug wires and remove all of your spark plugs

screw the compression testor into a spark plug hole. about as tight as a sparkplug.

Have a friend turn the engine over for about 5 seconds. You should get a reading between 151 to 179 psi. with no greater than 14psi difference between the cylinders.

Record the reading and repeat for every cylinder.

If the reading is low, pour a little bit of oil in the sparkplug hole and retest. If the psi increases, your rings are shot. If compression doesnt increase, you either have a leaking headgasket or a stuck valve.

[scottydog]

OK it shouldn't be too hard to figure out this. If you have fuel, air and a spark you should get ignition. From what you describe no matter what you do you get no ignition?

If the motor will turn over with the starter all that works, and the engine isn't seized up. Even an engine with bad compression should fire.

You said you got spark, as in pulling all the spark plugs, hooking them up to the wire, holding it to ground and observing a spark when attempting to start? Ok then the ignition system is functioning. Even bad timing will give you some fire in the holes, unless...

Your fuel system is FUBAR. Unlikely to be one or two bad injectors. More likely a problem upstream of the injectors, either electrical control of the injectors or bad fuel pump. You can confirm no fuel getting to the cylinders by turning the car over while spraying starting fluid into the intake, should fire up at least a little bit. You can disconnect the fuel line just behind the rack of injectors and see if you get fuel streaming out when you turn the ignition on .

Unfortunately the fuel pump is in the tank.

Would you like me to e-mail you the factory service manual?

[Schmitz_7]

I would absolutly love that. heh.

Oh and I have an aftermarket CS racing radioator. Is it normal for the fans to be ON THE RADIATOR ITSELF.

Will all the stuff i did to my Eclipse i never did a radiotor.

Thats just a side question though.

[Schmitz_7]

Replace the fuel pump and fuel filter..... still a no go.?!?!?

Maybe the injectors. ? I doubt it.

Im ready to f**king craigslist this *****.

[Schmitz_7]

Ok ive calmed down.

SO i rethink long and hard.

I do get spark. Does that mean it enough to start it, Maybe not.

Fuel Injectors. Possibly. Hope not.

someone suggested the ignition something.... not the switch.

I have new spark plugs.

Maybe the wires arent connecting to the plugs completly... who knows...

As for my ecu... i have no idea how to check it. or know anyone who has the equiptment to do so.

any little bit of info could possibly help me.

[scottydog]

It may be time to go through the no-start diagnostic procedure 6. It's on page EF & EC 69 of the fsm.

I sent you the entire manual, but maybe it didn't go through. I'll send the Engine fuel chapter right now.

[Schmitz_7]

Im selling the shell soon so if anyone wants internal parts message me.

I gave up.. lol.

[coupey]

dont give up!!

[Schmitz_7]

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE. >_<

I checked my injectors... super clean. the second i took them off gas leaked out on me.

Its definatly not any of the numerous things ive replced. It not my spark wires... i checked.

I doubt its the timing as its the stock original Dizzy. I tried moving it anyways.. stuck on there nice and tight.

and i dont have a computer to check it with. >_< AHHHGGG

[ShaunakaRichard]

You don't need a computer to check timing. Get a timing light. I think places like autozone or kragens will even rent them out. If you have fuel, spark, and compression. Then it has to be timing. It doesn't matter if the distributor is on there tight and not budging, if its been sitting for awhile not running, ya its going to be tight. I'd most definitely check the timing. Most likely what it is.

[Schmitz_7]

or the ignition module according to some people... -_-

[scottydog]

Check and adjust timing, but it's beginning to sound like a bad ECM (or ECM wiring). There are quite a few avail on EBAY, a junkyard or maybe somebody on the forum has an extra.

[Schmitz_7]

YEa i hope its not the ECM.... ill try timing first... i need to find someone who has the light. maybe autozone. I also dont have the little computer to plug into the port to check for codes... i want to do that too.

Ill try timing today when i get home... its gonna take alot of wd40 to get this sucker off.

Ill keep everyone updated.

Anyone from CT wanna help ^_^ ? .... please.....

[scottydog]

The ECM itself will give you error codes.

The instructions for checking codes are in the EC section of the FSM, and there are several posts that explain the check code thing. You can also check for bent or corroded connections.

If you have a code(s) post them.

The good news is ECMs are $50 and take 5 min to replace, a no-brainer. The ECM is under the interior panel to the right of the passenger's feet.


Modified by scottydog at 11:26 AM 2/19/2009

[Schmitz_7]

Ok so.. i took apart my spark plug wires today.. turns out some were bad. so i finnaly replace them.... and i get the dizzy loose enough to turn... now i am getting the car to cough ... but on random spots.. no where near where it was.

and it may have been stupid of me but ive only been checking spark plug 3 for spark... but it started snowing... soo... i cant do anymore right now.... but hey.... at least something is burning now.

[Schmitz_7]

Turns out the douchebag that owned the car before me f***ed up the wire order of the wires.

.....21 coil 4.....3

(1 Being toward the front of the engine bay and 3 to the bottom spinning counter clockwise right )

..............................................engine.......................................................1......2......3......4........

correct ?and they fire in the order of 1-3-4-2 correct ?

he had it set up. 1-3-2-4.

which is why i guess itd fire but wouldnt start.

So tomarrow... i fix the order.

turn the dizzy till it starts.... and hopefully ill have a running car.

http://www.autozone.com/images...2.gif

[scottydog]

Well that would certainly keep it from starting. It's not something one would think about being screwed up. Good job figuring it out!

1-3-4-2 is correct

zerothread/105618

[Schmitz_7]

Liek i said it fires.... im assuming its just the No.1 and thats why it wont start because it flooods right after.... ASSUMING..... so tomarrow.... i may finnaly be able to drive my CAAAAR ^_^

[Schmitz_7]

And please exscuse my horrible typing

[Schmitz_7]

Ok so once i get the dizzy to fire in the right order... IF it fires... and dosent start because ill be turning the dizzy alot and turning the ignition to start it. If it fires and then dies im hopeing itll be flooded a littel bit... what do i do let it sit for 5 minutes and try again?

[scottydog]

You may want to pull the plugs and clean/dry them if it doesn't start. Some of them may be fouled. My guess is it will run.

If it isn't reasonably smooth check timing.

[Schmitz_7]

( I have New Wires btw)

Anyways im pretty sure i was still being an idiot and had them on the dizzy in the wrong order.

this is how it was.

<--- front of car

....1......2............c............4......3....

I tried to fix it and did this.

....1......2.............c...........3......4....

Still didnt Fire.

What i learned from this thread today ...

zer...05279

is that I BELIVE... on the dizzy... its suposed to be...

<---- front of car and engine bay....

....3......1............c............4......2....

i gathered that from this link.....



from his thread.

He seems to be having the same problem as me.

Well if it stops rainign today ill let you all know.

Dosent everyone love my epic failing.

[Schmitz_7]

So for my SOHC i have it like this.



But i think its suposed to be like this ?

[locoluna825]

[locoluna825]

BTW i was staring at those pics you got up there. Are you trying to start the car without the plastic part of the intake manifold on? the one that goes from the MAF to the plenum of the car?