Got the car at an auction about a year ago. It has had a dead temp. sensor for as long as I've had it. I'm told that is why it would rev up on it's own while idling. It has always been a little slow at starting. I have to sit there cranking it for about 10 seconds before it will start up every day. If I let it sit for hours, it takes that long to crank up-- if it sits for say only an hour or so, it will start right up.

About 4 months ago I had to have it towed to a shop because the distributor went dead on it. The guy told me I needed to get a valve cover gasket too; I never did. Well about a week ago it quit starting on me. I looked at the spark plugs and one of them had oil leaked all in it. I went and got 4 new spark plugs and replaced the valve cover gasket too. This did not work.

Do these things play a role in the car not starting?
Oh btw: I turn the key and it just sort of goes "EHH EHH EHH EHH..." kind of strong sounding at first, then gets weaker as I hold it. It did start once the other night (I randomly try to start it every day) but quickly cut off. It didn't stay running for more than a second. I think I had to pump the gas too but I don't remmeber, I was too thrilled that it started.

 

Do you hear the fuel pump priming? Check the main relay.. located next to the hood release

 

check for fuel and spark, if yuo dont have that check the main engine relay, they always go bad. get that water temp sensor replaced or your always going to have an issue the ecu looks at water temp to control how rich or lean to make it. so its gona be a ***"ot when you try to start a cold engine. you need to reseal the spark plug tubes and that will take care of the oil on the plugs. if it is really bad it wont start either b/c lack of spark

 

How do I check for fuel and spark? I'm about to check the main relay now...

 

...yeah sorry, I can't find the main relay; little help?

 

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Before doing anything, I would double check to make sure that your motor is timed properly.

Then double check the firing order.

Any chance you got screwed into buying a P.O.S?

When you turn the key to the on position, what happens? You should hear the fuel pump priming for a second or two while the CEL is on, then as it stops priming, you'll hear a click as the CEL goes off. If none of this happens, its probaby a bad main relay.

You need three things to start a car, Fuel, Spark, and Compression.

Crank it, then pop the return line off the back of the fuel rail (look close, it says "F/I Return..." on it. If theres fuel in it after triyng to start the car, then you've obviously got fuel. Or pick up a fuel pressure gauge, mine was only like 40 bucks, easy to install, and looks pretty sweet

If theres fuel, check for spark. Pull out a plug, stick the a plug wire onto it, and tap it on the cylinder head.

If you've got fuel and spark, then its time to run a compression test and make sure the motor is good

 

check you distributor ... i know you replaced it .. but maybe you got another fucked up one .. you know ? that can play a huge role in your car not starting !

 

Okay I hear exactly what you described for the fuel pump, so that means the main relay is fine?

Yes, I am pretty sure it is a pos. I don't know how to check the firing order.

Fuel seems easy to check as you described it, but can you be more specific on checking for spark? I don't really understand that. Pull out the spark plug and put the spark plug wire in?

ty

 

Bump 4 u. Cuz we got the same problem.
I do however think it could be that your temp sensor fully gave out and its causing your car to run way tooo rich.

 

Pull the wire off of the spark plug, pull the spark plug out of the head, put the spark plug into the wire (the same way it normally hooks up), then put the tip of the plug near/on the head while someone else cranks the motor. you should see spark.

Firing order is...

 

Hey guys it starts up!

When I first put the new spark plugs in I didn't gap 2 of them right. I also made sure I had the correct firing order. I'm so relieved! I was thinking I had to spend more $$$ for sure haha.

Thanks a bunch for your help guys!! I'm happy. :D