John V

I've been having intermittent starting problems lately. Usually after the car sits for a few days. The engine cranks normally but will not fire. After 6-8 10 second starter bursts, she'll eventually fire and run perfectly.

I had a similar problem about 2 years ago and installed a fuel pressure gauge. Found intermittent fuel pressure problems and ended up diagnosing and replacing a sticking fuel pump. All was good for quite a while.

Then it happened again but, I confirmed good fuel pressure. Found no spark and replaced the coil. Been running great since then.

Now the problem is back... good fuel pressure but I haven't confirmed spark becuase the last time this happened, I unhooked a plug wire to check for spark and was told thats a no-no.

I have the factory alarm and I seem to recall a similar symptom if the alarm acts up. The engine runs great and all the critical mechanicals are fairly new so I'm pretty sure its either spark or injectors not pulsing.

Any quick troubleshooting suggestions.

ViribusUnits

Go down to your local auto parts store, and get a spark tester. It's like 10 bucks, and will allow you to see if there is a spark, and how strong the said spark is. Plus you'll never have to be shocked by the dang thing. Really a cheap peice of junk, but it works.

From there, find out if you have spark. If no, we can go into that.

Also, find out if you can hear the injectors when the car turns over. You should be able to at least feel the inejctors viborate as they fire.

Good luck.

Odds are it's a fuse, or relay, or something, but which one?

John V

Viribus,

Thanks for the quick reponse.

Spark tester?... sorry. can you elaborate? Is that some type of inductive pick-up?

As far as hearing or feeling the injectors... Thats tougher as I'm usually alone when this happens so it's tough to crank and be close to the injectors.

I know its not a blown fuse but It could be fuse contact. As far as relays go, are there any betond the fuel pump relay that could effect spark or injection?

PorKen

Have you checked the cold start injector system? If not working, the engine has to puddle enough gas from the regular injectors to fire cold.

IE: Thermo-time switch, cold start injector, wiring. Usually the thermo-time switch is the culprit. It faces forward and is to the side of the thermostat outlet. Check for voltage at the cold start injector connector when dead cold with key on (you'll have to remove the airbox). Have an assistant turn the key to on if possible, because the thermo-time switch normally cuts out after a max 7 secs.

Have you replaced the green distributor wire?

ViribusUnits

Unless it's really cold, the L-jet system will strugle for a moment, and then catch. Unless the sold start system is flooding it out, or it's rather cold where you are, it's probably not an issue. I've started my car in freezeing conditions, with the cold start injector inactive. It wasn't as clean a start, nore a nice, but it started.

The spark tester is basicly a rod attached to a insulator of some sort. That metal ros is connected to a clip that you put on a ground. There is a screw with a sharp point screwed into the insulater, which is typicaly plastic and shaped like a tub. The rod is a one end of the tub, the screw is at the other. You can then connect the screw to the coil lead, and screw the screw in and out to adjust the gap. From there you clip the rod onto a ground, and turn the engine over. Because you can adjust the gap, you can measure the strength of the spark. The wider the spark with jump, the stronger it is. If you adjust it to the correct gap, and see a spark, your inductive system is sparking. Unless the timeing is off, it should be sufficent to start the car. Maybe not an even idle, but enough to start.

I can't rember what exactly it's called, but any autozone, or Car Quest should carry it. Maybe the high school kid behind the counter won't know what it is, but someone in the back will.

For about 6 times the price, you could also pick up an inductive timeing light. If the light flashes when you turn the engine over, you've probably got spark. How much, you probaby don't know, but it should be enough. This will allow you to set you timeing right, something you could probably do anyways.

I can't find it online. I think I found one in an autozone store.

It's a really simple, self explanatory tool. Keeps your from zapping yourself, or dammageing the ignition system.

Good luck.