Trouble shooting help (((RB20DET)))

[smitty4130]

The Issue: Motor won't start after fresh rebuild. (Started once for about 10seconds and then died)The Backround: Purchesed a ECCS RB20DET to swap into my S14. First thing I did was carefully tear it down so i could rebuild. I Vated The torn down block and head. and rebuilt the block with new piston rings and oem pistons that i had ceramic coated. On the head I used all new components and seals. I also replaced all the common things such as water and oil pumps, all belts, and spark plugs. Using the manual I rebuilt the motor to near oem specs. I my intentions were to break the motor in, in oem form. Carl H did the harness conversion.Where i'm at: I've replaced the ignitor with the j30, I've tryed starting with maf connected and with out, i've tried reversing the starter and alt wires, I've test the cas several times and it pass's. I'm getting spark and i'm getting fuel but no combustion (except for the one time). I've also tried reading the light on the ecu but it stays solid red with out blinking and then turns off.

What I think: From all the other motors i've worked on given that its getting spark, fuel, and air i would say its a timing issue, however i installed the greddy timing belt in line with the dimples on the cams gears and crank gear and the lines on the belt. So if i did that how could the timing be off?

Also the red light on the ecu not blinking at all seems fishy to me, but if it started that one time how could the ecu be screwed?

Please help guys i've got to get this thing out of my garage. Thanks

[pepegurr]

Sounds to me like you had something wired wrong when you started it the first time and fried the ecu.

[smitty4130]

I suppose its possible but carl h did all the wiring. What are some methods on proving that the ecu is fried?

[240daveTX]

try your ecu on someone elses car

[RustspecS13]

So are your spark plugs wet with fuel? Or can/have to you run the motor on ether?

Also pop the cover off the ecu and check for burnt wires or bad components. It only takes a second.

~Alex

[smitty4130]

If i try turning it over for a couple minutes yes the plugs get moist, but thats only because its not firing off. That seems typical of a car that won't start.

Also i opened up the ecu and no burnt wires.

[Carl H]

try pulling codes, if you have spark timing and fuel then it should fire no questions asked.

[Carl H]

serious question here...do you have adjustable cam gears or just the stockers?

[smitty4130]

stock cam gears...

if the cas was going bad could it shoot fuel out of sequence?

Also how do i pull codes... I thought thats what the led on the ecu is for???

[pepegurr]

i doubt it would fire the injectors out of sequence. Have you checked all the fuses and the two green relays on the inside ecu harness? Also check the voltage you are getting at the coils to see if your getting proper voltage, just cause your getting spark doesnt mean its a good enough one.*edit* Also the FSM tells you how to pull codes and gives a description of each codes meaning.

[Carl H]

out of curiousity did you install the cams 180* off?you can have the dimples on the cam gears line up right and the cams be 180* off.that would DEFINATELY cause a no start situation dispite having fuel and spark.

[smitty4130]

i agree that if my cam gears were 180 the car wouldn't start. If the dimples were lined up with the marks on the belt how could i have installed them 180 out???

[Carl H]

lol, it can be done.i noticed this when i was doing my timing belt, and you can indeed have the cams out 180* and still have the marks line up...gotta also pay attention to the cam lobes.cam lobes have to face out and not in when the dimples line up, the cam gears iirc are interchangable so it will have dimples for the intake and exhaust positions which will line up if 180* off.its worth a check since you're having so many issues with it not starting.gotta be on the compression stroke TDC for number 1 cylinder and if that is correct your cam lobes will be facing off to the sides.

[Carl H]

crap i just went out to the garage and found my stock cam gears...and looks like only one dimple on them...im stumped.

[smitty4130]

ok im stumped to. So if the dimples are lined up with the belt the timing should be good? Carl have you seen the ecu come on with just the red light and then go off?

[Carl H]

a properly functioning ecu will have the red led on with just the key in the on position but off when the car is running.