CA Doesnt want to start....

[180sx_vc]

hi, My buddy and I recently finished rebuilding my motor(new rings, all new gaskets and seals, new wiring harness....etc) put it back together and set timing at 15 btdc. When i started the car for the first time it was running good But realize it was leaking oil somewhere inside the timing cover. Stupid me i forgot to install one of the camshaft seals. So after i fixed that, set the timing and when i turned the key it wouldn't start it would crank but not start. So first thing i did was check to see if any codes would appear and sure enough a code 13 showed up. I replaced the cts not even a year ago but since they were cheap i bought a new one and installed. After that i disconnected the battery to clear the code. Then 10mins later i hooked back the negative, turn the key and s***....still not starting. So once again i checked to see if any codes will appear and sure enough code 13. Im really stuck now and don't reali know where to go from here. I doubled check the timing and its good. The only thing i can reali think of why its not starting is the CAS...The half moon line up pin on the CAS is broken....would that cause the motor not to start?

[beans33]

yes your timing is bouncing around everywhere . you need a new exhaust cam, I think jim wolf tech sell a piece that will work.

[180sx_vc]

But is that the reason why its not starting and throwing a code 13? i thought that pin is just a line up pin and the outer splines does the job......

[float_6969]

You need a new exhaust cam. Yes it's just for alignment, which means you need it to get the CAS lined up with the exhaust properly. I've tried to put in a CAS with a broken keyway because I thought it couldn't be that hard to get it in right. After fighting with it for an hour, we gave up. My friend bought a new exhaust cam, put it in, and the car fired right up.

As for the code 13, you probably have a wiring issue. The car should still start with a code 13, it'll just run like poo.

[180sx_vc]

ok SO i just need a new cam not the CAS? ill try to find an exhaust cam? Is there other cams that r interchangeable? This has to fix the problem....Also For the code 13, my harness is new and cts is new

[float_6969]

Should just need a new cam. IDK if there are comparable cams. I don't think the NA CA18 cams are the same. The only thing that can throw a code is an open or shorted circuit, a resistance that's outside of the normal range or an issue with the ECU. If the sensor is new, it's highly unlikely that it's out of range. I know the harness is new, but a simple check with a multi-meter can confirm that the wiring is good. If they both test OK, then it HAS to be the ECU.