OK experts , figure this one out PLEASE !! (UPDATE ,FIXED)

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:04 pm

I have a 2000 SOHC. My car was running fine as always. When I turned it off it would not start back. It turns over fine but doesn't sound the same. It is getting fuel and spark. I also tore it down to the timing belt and all is good and timing marks are perfect. This is my daily driver so I have no car and need to get it going fast. Does anyone know what is going on?

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:31 pm

Is there a CEL? did you check for codes? (turn key on three times leaving it on after the third time)

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:20 pm

No CEL

T-Nasty · Post by **T-Nasty** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:26 pm

Faulty starter? maybe the solenoid is weak?

cgneon · Post by **cgneon** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:35 pm

turns over fine but does not start? or starts and runs weird?.. define doesnt sound the same...

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:24 pm

Have you confirmed that the motor itself is turning over when you hear the cranking? If not, your starter is junk, if so, we continue looking.

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:37 pm

The engine is turning over fine but will not start. Timing belt is good and turning. As it's turning over it just sounds different. Kind of like trying to start a car with a bad fuel pump. It will turn over all day but no start. Spark and fuel pressure are good.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:39 pm

If you have spark, cranking and fuel you have ignition unless your timing is off or your injectors aren't firing. Have you checked to make sure the injectors are firing?

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:40 pm

If everything is spinning right, you are missing spark, air or fuel. Time for some more digging.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:41 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:or your injectors aren't firing. Have you checked to make sure the injectors are firing?

The wires that are the same color code should be 12volts at everyone of them. The PCM grounds them individually to fire them. If there is no voltage, then they will not fire. Check the PCM ground, tho it should be relatively good if the coils are firing. Did you check both coils? (Front/Rear)

If you are checking fuel pressure at the rail, then unplug the relay while cranking to see if the pressure drops in pulses. If it just slowly bleeds down, (like taking 10 minutes) then the injectors are prolly not firing. I would imagine the pressure would take a hit every time an injector fires. At cranking rpm, it should visibly drop a little each time.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:44 pm

You double check the timing?

I'd check it again.

jrumann59 · Post by **jrumann59** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:34 am

does your gas gauge work? I know it sounds stupid but could you be out of gas. Have tried reseting the PCm and then trying to restart?

OB · Post by OB » Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:09 am

^He wouldn't be getting fuel if he was out of it.

I'm with the others, if you're getting fuel and spark, then timing is really all that's left. I doubt all four injectors went at the same time, so checking each for proper operation is probably a waste of time. If one died it would almost certainly run, just very poorly. I'd say crank sensor or MAP sensor, but since you have no codes those aren't very likely. Both have been known to prevent startup however, so maybe check them anyways.

lilnicko11 · Post by **lilnicko11** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:47 am

Take a quick video and post it up. I'd start with the simple stuff. Starter, alternator, plugs, wires, coil. CAM, OR CRANK SENSORS could be too.

2003silverneonsxt · Post by **2003silverneonsxt** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:51 am

^^ i was going to say the same thing... just happend to a friends car...crank sensor took a dump on it... was running fine, she stoppped at a red light..its died..and couldnt restart ... had everything buy the crank sensor died!

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:53 am

Disconnect the cam sensor and try to start it.....
Did it fire?
Reconnect the cam sensor if there is no change....
Disconnect the crank sensor and try to start it....
Did it fire

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:11 am

This may sound stupid but where is the crank sensor? When I took the crank pulley off to check the timing I didn't see it. I wasn't really looking for it though. Cam sensor I know. I will try to diconnect both one at a time and see what happens. If it just didn't start back like it did would it have had a chance to throw a code? Thanks so much for you guys input. With your help I'm sure I will get it.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:55 am

Your crank sensor is above the oil filter.

2003 - up are near the starter.

You may/may not get a CEL from the cam/crank sensor. Most times you will tho.

It should fire with the cam sensor unplugged for sure. (if the cps is what's keeping it from running) IDK about the crank. The CamPS is primarily to get the injectors in sync with the cam phase. They should fire without the signal, just not when they should. It will run, but poorly. How exactly did you check for fuel?

It is possible the cam broke. It happened to HaganRacing IIRC. Check turning by hand if the target magnet is moving. You dont want to crank it without the CPS in place. It keeps the cam from walking. You may end up with a broken cam, if it isn't already.

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:02 am

Target magnet? Is this on the cam?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:29 am

Yes, bolted to the end.

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:51 am

Thank you , I will try it out as soon as I get home today.

badgett · Post by **badgett** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:07 am

FIXED !! Can't figure out why this fixed it but you guys may know. Kept turning it over and it tried to fire a couple of times. I took some gas on a rag and dripped it into the throttle body. Held my hand over the throttle body to stop air and had a friend of mine keep turning it over. After a few times it cranked! I have since drove it a little over 200 miles with no problems.