KA24E will not start (Searched)

[1WheelWonder]

Hello guys,

My little brother just got a 89 240sx. It came with no engine and a auto transmission, so we swapped in a known running SOHC and did a 5speed swap. At first it would not crank at all which ended up being the wiring for the 5 speed, we fixed that and know it turns over like a champ but will not start. The only time it comes close to starting is when ether is sprayed into the intake but dies quickly (10secs tops).

*Timing is set 100% correct and so is the firing order, it's got new ngk plugs and wires, cap and rotor button. I pulled a plug and it sparks like a mofo when turning it over so that pretty much rules out spark. * I put in the stock replacment fuel pump out of my car, which comes on with the key, its got a new z32 fuel filter and fuel is getting to the new FPR and into the rail. All 4 injectors OHMed at ~13.5, I pulled the rail and checked for fuel spray from the injectors which seemed kinda pathetic to me until I through in a new Deatschwerks 550cc KA24E injector which sprayed about the same as the stock ones. * I put in a new coolant temp sensor as the old one was dead. * The ecu reads code 55 (all clear)

What's the deal with this thing? I've searched my butt off the past few days. I'm obviously not new to the KA, ka24E yes but same basic format. It's about to make my brain explode so i need some help. Please send me any ideas and I will try it out!

Love 1wheelwonder

[Rev_D21]

Is the fuse to the fuel pump blown? Mine did the same thing, ran on silicone then would die. I forgot I had taken the FP fuse out.

EDIT: You say the pump is cycling when you turn the key to the 'on' position so my comment is void.

Sorry I will read better next time. Are the hoses to the FP reversed?

[1WheelWonder]

Is the fuse to the fuel pump blown? Mine did the same thing, ran on silicone then would die. I forgot I had taken the FP fuse out.

EDIT: You say the pump is cycling when you turn the key to the 'on' position so my comment is void.

Sorry I will read better next time. Are the hoses to the FP reversed?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes the fuel pump fuse is goodYes I checked the lines and they are correct. Fuel pump->Filter ->rail->injectors->FPR->back to tank. I pulled the filter line and when I turn the key and the pump comes on fuel comes out of this line.

[Rev_D21]

Could it be the ECM? You said the injectors were weak when it came to spray pattern. Sounds like it could be electrical.

[1WheelWonder]

Could it be the ECM? You said the injectors were weak when it came to spray pattern. Sounds like it could be electrical.

Do you happen to know how to check it?

[1WheelWonder]

After a little more searching I've found that there are 2 different ways people are running there plug wires om the dizzy. Mine is #1 in the bottom right followed by 342 in a counter clockwise motion. The other way I've seen it is #1 in the top left followed by 342 counter clockwise. What's up with that? I know there are 2 different brands of distributors, would that be why some are wired differently? Unfortunately I don't know the true wiring order to this engine.

[Rev_D21]

I would have a test meter to test resistance to the injectors, a poor connection will show high resistance. As far as I know the #1 plug has always been bottom right on the dizzy.

[Rev_D21]

Test for resistance from:

Terminal 101 on ECM to Injector 1Terminal 110 on ECM to Injector 2Terminal 103 on ECM to Injector 3Terminal 112 on ECM to Injector 4

For a Pre-ODB II KA24E check out the 95 Pathfinder FSM at http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pa...c.pdf

Scroll to the KA section since they lumped the Truck with the Pathy and the truck used the same KA. Hope that sheds a little light for ya.

[SingleSlammer]

Could it be the ECM? You said the injectors were weak when it came to spray pattern. Sounds like it could be electrical.

Sadly this happens to be my car.

We tested a set of bigger injectors and they are spitting out just little weak squirts whenever they feel like it. Which is why I am asking about the ECU. I have been doing a little researching and heard that you can snag an ECU out of a stanza and it should be 100% compatible with the SOHC KA. I don't know if the ECU in the Hard body is 100% compatible either.

Is this true?

[Rev_D21]

Hardbody=no. Stanza and S13 should be plug and play. The reason the truck is a no is because it uses a different intake system that requires a little more work to tune.

[SingleSlammer]

Thinking about taking a trip to the junkyard and snagging one out of a stanza tomorrow. My ECU is still reading all clear. Going to pull the car outside tomorrow and have a better look at the grounds, take apart the engine harness and see if I can clean it up a bit... If you guys have any suggestions until then im open to new ideas. Everything else like timing, spark, compression checks out 100% its been like this for going on a year now.

I would much rather drive a 240 then a horrible 100hp Honda Civic.

[tero404]

reading through all ur post, i didnt hear anything about changing the automatic computer, to a 5 speed computer did u and brother do that yet?im pretty sure u did bcuz he said he researched his butt off but just making sure.

u know u have fuel but do u know how much? use a fuel pressure tester to make sure ur getting the right amount of fuel pressure going to the injectors.

and finally, have u tried push starting it? if u have correct air/fuel, timing and spark there is no reason why that car shouldnt start unless it has a big a** vacuum leak.

[1WheelWonder]

[QUOTE=tero404]reading through all ur post, i didnt hear anything about changing the automatic computer, to a 5 speed computer did u and brother do that yet?im pretty sure u did bcuz he said he researched his butt off but just making sure.

u know u have fuel but do u know how much? use a fuel pressure tester to make sure ur getting the right amount of fuel pressure going to the injectors.

and finally, have u tried push starting it? if u have correct air/fuel, timing and spark there is no reason why that car shouldnt start unless it has a big a** vacuum leak.[/QUOTE

I thought the ecu did not have to be changed for the 5 speed swap. Are you sure it has to be?

[tero404]

i have done some research myself and did find out that the ecu is optional like u said but to me it would only make sense to switch a automatic ecu with a manual one.

http://240atlanta.com/forums/s...+swap

i will keep digging and see if i can find anything, have u made any progress?

[diablo_cc]

from what i understand, the only difference between the auto and standard ECUs is that the automatic has no top limiter, other than that they should be the same and shouldn't be causing the problems you are describing.

I would continue to weed out the fuel issues.

[meathead780]

stupid question. If what im reading in your post is corect I can swap out my ECU and ditch the speed limiter at 115? If that is true im going to the J yard today. Please say it so

[Rev_D21]

From what I have read on Hybrid the auto ecm can be used in a 5spd but not the other way around.

[tero404]

stupid question. If what im reading in your post is corect I can swap out my ECU and ditch the speed limiter at 115? If that is true im going to the J yard today. Please say it so

its more like 128 but i dig wat ur sayin, r u on 240atlanta?

[SingleSlammer]

Sorry we have been really busy messing with the car...

Come to find out that the oil pump had been installed slightly wrong and I thought that would make the car fire up...

In the 1990 240sx FSM it says the Oil pump spindle should be pointing around 1 and 7 O clock... I read that this is incorrect. It is actually suppose to be facing exactly like a backwards "D" so I did just that. my dist rotor button points at around 5 o clock... the cam keyhole points around 12 o clock at TDC I don't know what els it could be...

Sparks fine, Compressions fine, and we are smelling a lot of gas after 5-10 tries of firing it up.... What could I possibly be missing....
Modified by SingleSlammer at 7:20 PM 2/11/2010