So I just put a fresh complete b16a2 swap in my 99 ex coupe. Everything went fine. Drove it around for 5 miles. Started it up several times the same day. Then the next day I take it for a quick drive, and it stalls out then wont start back up.

The starter doesn't sound right. I checked all grounds and connections and they are good.

I thought the battery might be shot, so I had someone jump me. Jumping did not do anything. Tried it several times and with 2 different jumper cables. Push starting also did not do anything.

So I take the starter out and have it tested at 2 places, both say it is good. I swap the battery from my other car, and it still does the same thing.
Here is a video of the noise its making:
http://www.youtube.com/user/b18cek1?.../0/WVa4dQBpcjk

 

anyone?

 

If it stalled out the or starter is not the problem, or there is a second problem. Pick up a spark tester (about $5) and see if there is spark when it cranks. If that is good, pull the fuel rail and crank the engine to see if the injectors are firing. You could also just spray some starter fluid down the throttle while a buddy cranks but that doesn't always work well.

 

Yea I was going to check the spark tomorrow. Did you hear the video?
The starter stops making noise after a few clicks, then I have to let off the key and then try starting it again.

 

Look closely at your timing belt... Sounds like no compression...

 

could a loose distributor cap cause these symptoms?

 

My jetta's timing belt stripped 14 teeth at the crank. When you turned it over, all you heard was the starter. You can tell there is no compression by the sound of it cranking. A loose dizzy will not make that sound. I can almost guarantee you that your timing belt is stripped. It may have been too tight or too loose.

 

Sounds like I am hearing compression in two cylinders, meaning your cams are not moving, thus valves are not opening and closing. Take your upper timing cover off and see if your cams are moving...

 

hmm, I never touched the belt. I will check it out tomorrow.
Thanks

 

cams are moving, belt is fine, and timing is fine. what else could it be

 

Have the battery tested. Sounds like it's dead.

 

unfortunately, it's not
Its actually a brand new battery, I checked voltage, and I even swapped it with one from my other car. Still does the same thing.

 

Ohm test the battery ground and clean the connectors.

What voltage do you read across the two battery posts versus connectors?

 

12.3v on posts, and 12.3 from negative ground cable/ pos cable

 

What voltage and resistance do you measure at the large starter wire connected to the starter?

 

resistance while trying to start the car, while its off, or just with key all the way to acc2?
thanks for your help.

 

Key off:

1) Measure voltage to body ground at the large black starter wire attached to the starter.

2) Check whether the transmission ground wire is clean tight.

3) Disconnect the battery connectors and large black wire from the starter. Measure the resistance between those two endpoints.

 

Voltage from ground to starter wire was 12.21v

Transmission ground wire is good, however if i measure volts using the trans ground wire it reads 12.2, then when i measure from the bracket it connects to on trans it doesn't read the same. If i connect the multimeter anywhere on the ground wire it reads normal tho.
Is this normal?

I am kinda confused on resistance as I have never had to measure it. Am I measuring the resistance between the pos terminal and the post from the starter. Or I am measuring the resistance between the power cable from its battery connector to the starter connector?

Thanks

 

Remove the bracket and clean its contact point with the transmission.

 

Remove the bracket and clean the contact points between the bracket and the transmission.

^This

 

See if your map sensor got unplugged

 

Hey Ron, Thanks for all your help. Unfortunately someone ****ed me and sold me a junk swap. cylinder 4 compression is low and motor knocks. Not sure why it wasnt cranking. perhaps some resistance from damaged parts within the engine.

Thanks though.