98 QX4 Wont Start....

[cober57]

Hello all found this forum after searching internet for assistance in troubleshooting my wifes QX4. I am sure someone can direct me in the right direction. While backing out of the drive, the engine just shut down and would not re-start. Put her in the garage and began troubleshooting.... based on my history with my Chevy Silverado, I immediately got out my fuel pressure gauge to check rail pressure.... No place to connect??? Found a post about installing a T in fuel line???
Options??
I can hear the fuel pump run when I cycle key, engine will not fire... have not checked for spark yet... hoping someone can suggest likely gremlins with these vehicles. Thanks for any assistance....

[NismoPick]

Welcome!

If you can hear the fuel pump prime, it's probably getting fuel pressure. But the injectors might not be spraying...

Checking for spark would be the first thing to do.

And make sure you download the FSM from the forum FSM / download section.

[Towncivilian]

Are the battery terminals free of corrosion and secured tightly?

[cober57]

Welcome!

If you can hear the fuel pump prime, it's probably getting fuel pressure. But the injectors might not be spraying...

Checking for spark would be the first thing to do.

And make sure you download the FSM from the forum FSM / download section.

Not familiar with FSM???

[cober57]

Are the battery terminals free of corrosion and secured tightly?

Will assume terminals are ok as engine cranks very well... no indication of poor connections

[Towncivilian]

FSM is the factory service manual. It's much better than the Chilton or Haynes manuals and is an indispensable resource. You can download it here. To save a copy of the FSM, right click -> Save As on every PDF, save them into a single folder, then use fwd.pdf to navigate.

Is there excessive dust or dirt build up under the distributor cap? Blow it out with compressed air. Is the rotor excessively scorched? How many miles are on your QX4?

[cober57]

FSM is the factory service manual. It's much better than the Chilton or Haynes manuals and is an indispensable resource. You can download it here. To save a copy of the FSM, right click -> Save As on every PDF, save them into a single folder, then use fwd.pdf to navigate.

Is there excessive dust or dirt build up under the distributor cap? Blow it out with compressed air. Is the rotor excessively scorched? How many miles are on your QX4?

Your are my HERO.... all I have been looking for is a Service Manual.... Thanks so much!!! I have not lifted cap from distributor yet... 148000 miles. Leave for Florida in the morning, so I may not get to it tonight. However would you mind if I messaged you when I return? sounds like you have a bit of experience with this beast!

[Towncivilian]

I actually don't have too much experience with distributor ignition systems, just going by what others have posted before regarding troubleshooting. Also, you won't be able to send me a private message until you've got 10 posts on the forum - it's an anti-spam measure, sorry for the inconvenience. You'd have to post here.

With 148k miles, the spark plugs and timing belt should have been replaced around 105k miles. Were they?

[cober57]

I actually don't have too much experience with distributor ignition systems, just going by what others have posted before regarding troubleshooting. Also, you won't be able to send me a private message until you've got 10 posts on the forum - it's an anti-spam measure, sorry for the inconvenience. You'd have to post here.

With 148k miles, the spark plugs and timing belt should have been replaced around 105k miles. Were they?

yes plugs changed and timing belt changed

[Slumpert]

Anychance it was filled with Diesel ??

Not running at all is usally pretty straight forward.. Pull #1 sparkplug out after blowing any debris out of the hole first.

Put sparkplug back on plug wire and ground it while cranking engine. Wear a glove just in case but our plug wire have great extentions on them but still those pulses hurt..

See strong spark, then keep cranking for 15 sec and then get up close and see if you can smell gas in the open spark plug hole.

Just because you don't see a spark does not mean the Dist is bad.. The ECU could be responsible.

Smell strong odor of gas and then you have a head scratcher as it is very unlikely to be a air issue unless a cat got sucked into the airfilter or something.. Unclip the airbox top and try to start just to be sure it is not a blockage at the box.

Spark, Fuel, and Air okay... well we will all scratch our heads for yea.