1993 NA

This car has never run right, but it did run. A couple of weeks ago, it stopped running completely.

I have fuel and pressure.

I do not have spark consistently.

Sometimes out of nowehere, the car will start - runs like crap, but will start. Today, it will not. I pulled plugs, grouned them, and tested. No spark at all. Plugs are fine.

I replaced the PTU - it is a used unit but is from a known, working car, and this has not cured the prob.

Now, because I have a hard time believing that all 6 coils failed at once, I guess the question is:

What other items could cause a lack of spark?



Modified by leerandallstewart at 7:19 PM 1/3/2010
Modified by leerandallstewart at 7:20 PM 1/3/2010

Crank angle sensor??? I had a Jeep Cherokee one time that would sputter and die, would not start, let it sit for a day or so and it would start, run great, then run like crap, and then die. Or, it would barely run when it did start. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor (which I imagine does sort of the same thing on both rigs) and fixed it right up. Of course, this is just a wild a** guess!!!

That was a really good guess, and one that I had considered. Replaced it - no luck.

Car finally started today...ecu.

Replaced the computer ($100 for a used one), and it fired right up. It acted a little weird while the computer settled in, but after a few minutes, it all settled down, and now it runs great. Thanks for the tips.

hopefully that was the only issue. i would have guessed PTU to be honest, if the symptoms return, definitely should try swapping that.

That was my first guess, and I replaced it - no luck. I was gonna replace the crank angle sensor next, but did the ecu forst, and it was like a freakin' miracle. It fired right up within 1 second. After about 20 minutes of the computer and the car talking to each other, it runs beautifully.

apologize on my lack of knowledge, but what made you thin it was the ecu? and with the new ecu after turning the car on, did you just leave the car on and it tuned itself? Thanks.

I suspected the PTU first, but that didn't change anything. I knew I was getting fuel, so it had to be electrical. I had already checked all the fuses, relays, and fusible links. The next thought was cam position sensor, but I did not have one handy. The next logical step was the ecu. And yes...after it started, I just let it run and the car evened out it's idle, etc. Runs like a champ now. I am just fixing all the other little misc BS now and it is driving me crazy.

alright thanks for the info and good luck.