So I drove my da with a warped head to my buddies house for a new ls swap, everythings hooked up (exception being the 2 prong male/female plug in a boot on the back of the motor and the little nipple sensor undet the dis since I broke the plug lol) anyhow everything seems good to go but now I seem to be getting no spark....weird since I drove the junk ls there with that dizzy..its getting gas( I can smell it) decent compression but I can't see a spark when I put a plug on the wire n crank, somtimes if it turns long enough it grumbles to a super weak sauce erratic 1kish idle then dies anyone have a direction to point me it? Any input hekps thanks!

 

is there a check engine light?

 

check ecu. it might have COOOOODDEEEESSSSSS!!!

 

Update: so I made sure the thermostat ground was tight and clean, same junk but if I keep the throttle wide open when I go to start it it will fire up but run like garbage and when I let off the throttle it dies. There is a spark but its intermittent and looks weak sauce, as for codes I haven't got any

 

^ my friends da had a problem like that. it ended up being fuel related. he replaced the fuel filter and the fuel injectors.

 

Funny thing is I just replaced the fuel filter 50 miles ago and the injectors and altornator are off the longblock that I drove it there with. I did a cold compression test and got 95 100 120 120 not the greatest but enough to run at the very least, I'm going to try another dissy tommorow any ill report back.

 

i don't see how a fuel filter replacement will solve intermittent spark issues.

if intermittent spark is your issue, have a look at the cap and rotor. also, the little contact spring in the cap for the coil. sometimes those like pooch off.
but yes, da's are pretty notorious for having distributor issues. if those look fine, as you've suggested, try a known working one to test

 

no joke, ive gone through dizzy caps and rotors and even ignition coils! ill never buy duracrap parts from autozone ever again though. try swaping ignition coils with a buddys and see if thats the problem

 

Why don't you pull the injectors out and crank it to see if they are actually pulsing instead of "smelling it". Do the same with each plug and let us know how strong the arc is. Those compression test numbers are terrible BTW.

 

Update: I tried a new dis and it starts if I hold the gas down still but if I rev it for a while then let off but it idles like a v8 or somthing but no CEL. Could that be from mechanical timing my buddy thinks I did the timing wrong but I beg to differ, cams lined up and crank is too so it should be presto. I redid the compression numbers and somehow some way its near 120 each, yes I know those arnt the best numbers but its not my motor my buddy bought it second hand craigslist so it is what it is.

 

Somtimes I don't think lol but could a stuck iacv cause a hard starting condition like this? I've had iacv problems like the idle problem I'm having but never the hard start. Sound spossible?

 

doubt its the iacv, but by all means go snag one from the junk yard. i have like 3

 

firing order?

 

i wouldn't worry too much about the compression. your numbers are probably low because your rings are washed with fuel. it also explains why it starts with the throttle wide open (allowing air into the cylinders to dry out the rings).
if you're getting compression numbers like that (with the rings washed), your mechanical timing is probably fine, as the numbers would be quite low if it were out.

as mentioned, be sure you have the correct firing order. seeing as how you pulled the distributor, borrow a timing light and check ignition timing

 

man... you need a mechanic to look at that. thats not right.

 

Make sure you didn't switch the map and TPS plugs. Had that issue with my buddies gsr swap. Would start but die like yours.

 

sounds like ignition system problem..chck for firing order and also your timing

 

So i cleaned the iacv and heres what ive got, it still doesnt want to start but does somtimes. it runs like garbage and still up and down with the idle before it warms up and even drops down to 100rpm then recovers when i rev it but after it runs great and idles fine no problem, anyone have any input on that...no cel or anything, thanks

 

same kind of the problem i had, it was my MAP sensor.

 

check your fitv.

 

Do you guys think the starting problem could have anything to do with the intake mani beight different then the original intake mani? On the replacement ls it doesn't have the dashpot thing or the starter valve on the manifold.

 

i think you're referring to the IAT sensor. try putting the original mani in there and all the original sensors