no spark. had the wife turn it over while I held a coil wire near a ground. also, when turning the key just prior to starting position, the idle control valve makes a brief buzzing sound...

 

Fault Codes

This came from Rennlist somewhere, but I don't have the link handy.

Sorry, didn't mean to suggest anything on the alarm. I'm as confused as you are. Just that it seemed like that to me . . . battery disconnect is about all you've done.

Any way, hope the codes help and that you get a handle on it.

 

James, I realize that you mentioned that you know how to work the alarm (and I don't mean to belabor the point) but did you happen to disconnect the battery, unlock the door with the the key and then reconnect the battery? In that order? That sequence will activate the alarm. To disable, you need to disconnect, lock the door, reconnect and then unlock the door.

 

Joey

I will try that. It has to be something simple because the car was running before. I am even wondering if one of the pins on the wiring harness side of the DME is not connecting to the DME properly. The part that really has me puzzeled is the little brief buzz noise from the ICV.

Not to make this any more confusing, but I have the center console out of the car right now too e.g. removed the switch for the wing and the three switches above it. The car ran fine with this stuff out and I planned to replace my carpet next weekend so I wanted to leave it out.

Back to the alarm, I had the alarm fuse disconnected before and didn't have this issue when disconnecting the battery... THIS IS SO DAMN STRANGE!

 

One of the center console switches operates the power door locks so maybe that's your alarm issue?

 

that would be 'strange' and maybe when I disconnected the battery and reconnected it, the system recognized its (the switch) absense???

 

That's what I'm thinking.

 

ok, I will try that when I get off work this evening. seems very odd to me but I will try it.

 

I replaced the DME relay and re-installed the center console electronics and turned her over. Before she cranked I heard that buzzing noise from what I think is the Idle Control Valve and then BAM!!! she back fired but won't start.

Does anyone have any idea???

 

There is a procedure for getting the Check Engine light to flash the error codes... I don't have it off hand.. but Search should turn it up. Essentially you hold the throttle all the way down, then turn key to ON.. wait a few secs til the CEL flashes.. then count the flash sequence... If your throttle is adjusted correctly, it should give you a cheap readout.

There is also a loaner diagnostic interface.. check with Smokin'.

 

thanks. I have a loaner hammer that should be coming to me soon.

here is what I know.

Car was running but having sudden power loss issues. Prior to it not starting the following had been done:

1. replaced both coils
2. replaced AFM
3. replaced idle control valve
4. replaced cyl. head temp

I drove the car in my garage. Disconnected the battery. removed the DME. changed the chip. reinstalled the DME and then connected the battery. Car won't fire.

I checked the coil wire and there was no spark.

I am getting fuel and she will back fire if cranked a bunch.

The Idle control valve, or at least I think that is what it is... makes a buzzing noise when I turn the key to start the car.

here are my thoughts:

1. some how I damaged the DME (I've checked this and it looks fine...)

2. the reference mark sensor failed (its the only sensor I have not changed)

the only other thing is that when I replaced the coils I put a set of new coil drivers (my term for those little black boxes each coil has one) and the car wouldn't start. So I put the old coil drivers back on and it started. I think I used too much of that white stuff that came with these 'drivers' when I installed them, not sure. Anyway, I still have these parts but not the white paste.

ANYONE??????????????????????????

 

I swapped the idle control valve out, no change. I replaced the 'coil drivers' with new ones, no change. I have a new reference mark sensor, has anyone spliced the 993 part?

 

You said you replaced the AFM . . . any chance you failed to hook up the wire on the back side of the AFM, behind the air box? (It's been done before )

How about the vacuum line?

 

no worries, I am happy to reply that it is hooked up as is the vac line. this was done before it stopped running...

I have the alarm system fuse disabled so I don't think it can be that (I've tried it with the alarm fully connected).

Ever since I removed the DME it started not running.

Anyway, any ideas?

I should have a hammer in a few days when a buddy gets back in town.

 

has anyone done the splice of the new 993 reference mark sensor?