Not Again!

[pearldrum]

I'M GETTING SO SICK OF THIS!

I can't keep my car running for more than 30 days! Ok, here is what is wrong now. I go to my car, try to start it, doesn't start. It's not getting any spark. I try it a bunch more times messing with sensors (last time it stopped running it was because of the two sensor connectors on the back of the engine not making very good contact.) I tried it a few more times without messing around with anything and it started. It ran for about 10 seconds then died. It did this about 3 more times. It didn't do this every time, maybe every 4 tries trying to start it. The last time it started and I let it sit for about 5 minutes, no problems. Then I tried to leave, it died about a minute later. Now it won't even try to start like it had before. Any ideas? I guess I need to check the sensors again.

[ilikemy944]

DME Relay?
There is a way to use a paper clip or something to test it...

Don't feel bad Once you get all of these little things sorted out you will be happy once again

[carsontc]

a few weeks back didn't you say the reference sensor plug/connector was messed up? but you patched it up somehow

a poor connection back there could still be the problem

[Paul Glasson]

Had the same problem with my 84,944 sensor connections (2 plug connectors on back engine bracket near firewall),and found the outer bakelite on connectors cracked.Also used to fiddle with connectors and it would go a while.Dug out the bits and bent all the little copper contacts on the female plugs inwards to make better contact with the male and cleaned males with water paper. Sprayed all connections with a silicone water repellant.Some on this forum advised me to use another product you get there-some special grease used on connectors.
Have had no problems since

[pearldrum]

Well the fuel pump is running, so I'm pretty sure it's not the DME relay. Yeah, the plastic clips that hold the sensor connectors together were broken so we used plastic ties to hold them together. Messing with those isn't really doing anything though. I'll try to work on it this weekend, but I've got a bunch of finals and this is a really bad time.

[88_944]

I can't keep my car running for more than 30 days!

LOL! I had those days!

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i suspect it doesnt want to go back to the fast food place!!lol

keep after it, but use a plan of attack, not the shotgun approach. that way, next time you will have a procedure to follow.

promise it some prime rib, twice baked spuds, lima beans, and a maritini. mine likes that.

[todwic]

Originally posted by carsontc
a few weeks back didn't you say the reference sensor plug/connector was messed up? but you patched it up somehow

a poor connection back there could still be the problem

agreed. Did you mess with the bracket any? could be you got it a little too close to the flywheel teeth, or too far away, or your sensors arent bolted in tight.

[todwic]

tho if your fuel pump is running while you turn the key, then at least your rpm sensor is working. take a multi meter and hook it up to the rpm setting and see if you're getting an ignition pulse.

[pearldrum]

Ok, how many Ohms should I be picking up from the speed sensor?
We've tried to take them out and look at them, but they are so corroded in we can't even move them.

[carsontc]

from your old post..
-----------------------
"as for the reference sensor...the connector has 3 pins, 1 of the outside pins is a shield and from it to either of the other 2 pins (with the ohmeter) should read 'open'

measuring the resistance between the middle and remaining pin should read around 900 ohms to 1100 ohms. (btw...these have tested 'good' and still had problems 'til replaced the sensor.)

to find the reference sensor look at:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/ign-02.htm

I would open the reference sensor plug/connector at that 'feed-thru' bracket near the firewall to measure this"
-----------------------
if your fuel pump is working the speed (rpm) sensor is working

it's the reference (tdc) sensor that tells the DME when to supply current to the ignition coil for a spark

use WD-40 and give it time to soak-in around the reference sensor if you need to pull it out

[pearldrum]

yeah I was wondering what both of them should be, but nevermind I found it. thanks for the help, they should both be about the same.
I think I may have a bad sensor, I Don't get anything from the speed sensor.

[todwic]

swap your sensors with each other.

[pearldrum]

Okay, we weren't getting anything from the speed sensor. You would not believe how tough those sensors were to get out. Not only are they in the worst location ever, they were corroded in like non-other. We ended up having to pull the mounting block off and break the sensors into several pieces. We are ordering new ones and are going to put them in.
By the way, yeah we tried swapping the connectors.

[carsontc]

Originally posted by pearldrum
You would not believe how tough those sensors were to get out...We ended up having to pull the mounting block off and break the sensors into several pieces

BTDT

[pearldrum]

hey, I have a question. The sensors are the same piece right? I mean, they aren't different?

[carsontc]

right...the same

[todwic]

Originally posted by pearldrum
Okay, we weren't getting anything from the speed sensor. You would not believe how tough those sensors were to get out. Not only are they in the worst location ever, they were corroded in like non-other. We ended up having to pull the mounting block off and break the sensors into several pieces. We are ordering new ones and are going to put them in.
By the way, yeah we tried swapping the connectors.

I didn't mean swap connectors, I meant take one sensor out of it's hole, and put the sensor from the other hole in the hole that the first sensor resided in. Then take the second sensor that resided in the first hole and put it in the remaining holes.

[todwic]

if you moved the bracket, you are in for a bad time

[pearldrum]

we had to move it, we couldn't move the sensors, then they broke in half. Is it really going to be that hard to get the block adjusted right again?