car died :(

[jinos]

Hey guys. The car was driven around the block and stalled. Here are the following things I tried.
1) Replaced fuel pump and filter.

2) Checked fuel pump relay and it works.

3) CD unit is still working

4) Checked the ignition coil and it sparks.

5) Checked the injectors and squirts fuel when pressure plate is pressed.

6) The motor will turn but it won't crank. It won't even make a popping sound. The crank and fan just turn. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[crashmy911]

Check to see if your getting enough juice from battery. Sometimes cars sit and battery looses power.

[edgemar]

my fuel pump relay would work intermittently....try another relay just to be sure...I tried another relay right after it stalled any wouldn't start and it started right up with the different relay...i used one of the blacks ones next to the red relay temporarily and i never again had the symptoms you described.

[jinos]

I tried all these methods already and still it wont start. Anything else?

[jinos]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that this car has been driven daily for the past 2 months and ran very well. It's a 74 with a rebuilt 3.0

[Tyson Schmidt]

So you have fuel, and you have spark at the coil.

Next check would be for spark at the spark plug. I've seen rotors burn through and ground to the dist. shaft. Not very likely, but gotta cover the bases.

Might check that the pop-off valve is still in place. I've seen many that blew out of the airbox. But you probably would have noticed that while lifting the sensor plate when you were checking for fuel at the injectors.

[jinos]

I checked the wires on the plugs and they all spark too. I just pray it's nothing internal with the motor.

[GothingNC]

What color is the spark generated by the coil?

[pozee]

If you have spark, then it may be an intermittent fuel problem even though you are seeing fuel at the injectors. Have you checked for buildup in the tank? Remove the sender and with a flashlight, take a look inside the tank. The screen should be free of debris etc.

Could also be an intermittent distributor issue.

Good luck.

[3.2 CAB]

jinos, a little more info needed. Just a few questions/comments, in no particular order.
1. Have you checked timing marks with number one at TDC?
2. Can you smell raw fuel at the exhaust, after an unsuccessful starting attempt?
3. Can you smell excessive fuel odor in oil?
4. Have you checked ALL spark-plug wires, at the spark-plug ends for spark, or just one or two wires and assume the rest are getting spark?
5. Is the color or action of the spark, strong or weak looking?
6. Is there plenty of fuel in the tank?
7. Are you getting any return fuel flow back to the tank?
8. Does the car have any type of alarms?
9. Have you carefully inspected the airbox for cracks or holes?
10. Are all vacuum hoses connected and intact?
11. Have you checked all fuses and relays to be certain they are good?

If an engine is rotating but does not start during a starting attempt, the engine IS cranking, it is just not starting/running or does not run. It will either crank and start/run, or it will crank and not start/run. The engine "cranking" or "cranks" just refers to the engine being able to rotate, with the use of the starter. If it does not crank, it just refers to the engine not rotating with the use of the starting circuit( battery, ignition switch, starter, etc) If it does not run/start, there could be any number of problems, either simple or major causing the no-start fault. Hopefully you will get the problem(s) sorted out soon. Good luck!! Tony.

[al lkosmal]

Sounds like you have a CIS system. Check to see if your pop off valve is still seated and closed. Especially if you've had any recent backfires. I've had this happen and if it is loose, making a big vacuum leak, your car will not start. If the pop off is ok, check elsewhere for vacuum leaks, as this seems to be the number one reason for rough running or non-starting CIS equipped engines.

[holtjv]

Originally Posted by al lkosmal

Sounds like you have a CIS system. Check to see if your pop off valve is still seated and closed. Especially if you've had any recent backfires. I've had this happen and if it is loose, making a big vacuum leak, your car will not start. If the pop off is ok, check elsewhere for vacuum leaks, as this seems to be the number one reason for rough running or non-starting CIS equipped engines.

+1 or, if your vacuum is tight, then check to make sure your spark is actually strong and not a weak yellow. Also check the distributor and make sure it didn't work loose.

Whatever it was, please make sure to tell us so that others searching and hitting this thread can hear some possible solutions.

[crustychief]

does the transplant have a crankshaft position sensor?

[Hugh R]

Don't know 3.0's but my 3.2 died and it turned out to be an internally shorted electronic fuel injector. Good luck.

[Laneco]

3.0 has neither a crank sensor nor electronic injectors... So for good or bad, those are ruled out.

If you have fuel (as you confirmed) and spark at the plugs (do need to confirm that) and a FULLY CHARGED BATTERY, then my money is on a vaccuum leak. Airbox, pop-off valve, hose - don't forget the one one for the oil reservoir. I can assure you from personal experience, that if that one is off - it won't start!

angela

[jinos]

Thanks you guys. My car is at my friends house and having a porsche mechanic come by tommorow. Will let you guys know asap. This site has been more than helpful. Many thanks!!!