mcalvelloxx

After about 1.5 years, it's here again.
Car won't start when engine is cold. It turns but no spark.
I have had the same problem twice and ended up replacing the distributor (with an aftermarket one) and that fixed the problem.

Could aftermarket distributors only last 1.5 years?
That's why I'm not sure if it's actually the distributor that is bad.
Main relay perhaps?

Will check for oil in plug holes tomorrow.
Car broke down at friend's house.

Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks..

holmesnmanny

Test the ect.

StreetsideStig

Turn the key to "on" and you should be able to hear the fuel pump priming. If you can't, take a closer look at the Main Relay. If you can, that's probably not your problem.

How many miles have you put on it since last time? Perhaps it just needs a new cap and rotor?

mcalvelloxx

holmesnmanny, you mean the Engine Coolant Temp sensor, right?

StreetsideStig, I'm pretty sure the fuel pump us fine.
I have put about 9,100 miles since the whole distributor was replaced.
It was an aftermarket distributor though. Not sure how good they are.

Do you think it's time for a new cap and rotor?

Thanks!

jdmcertified909

uh yes it does lol

mcalvelloxx

So I should replace the cap & rotor?

I'm just not sure if this is the problem.
It's been replaced twice in about 3.5 years..

Lost Again

Test....what is missing? Spark by your first post, so how about getting the old volt meter out and find out what is not working.....you might find a bad connection that causes the "part" to fail.....my two cents.

StreetsideStig

^I agree. Do a spark test. Take an old plug, snap it into each of the wires, and holding it by the wire, ground it to the valve cover. Then start/try to start the car. Watch for a steady spark. This is a spark test, and it will come in handy pretty often. If you have one bad wire, it's probably just the wire. If you have four, it's more likely the cap, rotor or distributor. Start at the wires and work your way back.

Just make sure you have all of the spark plug sockets full when you do the test. Don't pull out a wire, then pull out the plug to test it. If you do want to test the current plug, put another plug in its place. I keep an old spark plug in my glove box just for this.