Hey all...

So back in late October stuff happened that had me driving my parent's car instead of my own, and I forgot to unhook the battery.... 5 weeks and a snow storm later battery was dead... 6 months later, finally had the $$ to buy a new one..

Installed fresh battery, Starter turns over, all electricals (lights, etc) work... The distributor unit was JUST replaced about a year ago, and it WILL NOT START...

The starter cranks strong... there's just nothing... I talked to a friend who said might be the alternator?

Is he right or is it something else possibly?

 

Do you have spark and fuel?

 

There's been 3/4 of a tank since last time it ran.. I had just filled it not long before circumstances kept me from driving it..

Spark? I better.. $200 worth of Distributor unit... and I did the plugs and wires about 6 months before that... I can't confirm though as I don't have anyone that can crank the engine while I look at the wires for spark..

I'm going to assume there is..

 

I'm going too assume there is no spark or fuel since you cannot test for either. You need spark, fuel, timing of spark/fuel, compression and of course the engine spinning to start.

If you have fuel and no spark you should have fuel soaked plugs.

For spark you can get a spark tester or look up testing spark with a screwdriver.


Just because you changed parts doesn't mean a problem is fixed if you never identified what the problem was art first.

 

Ditto the above^^^

A simple bypass jump, [supply power directly to the starter exciter terminal] will alow you to crank engine from under the hood.

Having fuel in the tank does not mean it is getting to the cylinders, a simple test is to try and start the engine then immediately remove spark plugs to see if they are wet with fuel.

You need to do a compression test.

You need to check/confirm timing, both electrical and mechanical.

Get an HDI spark tester, $10-$15 so you can properly check for spark, I would not use a screw driver, [that can blow the coil]. 94

 

any codes showing on the ECU? - when you turn the ignition on, does the check engine light come on for 2 seconds and then go off, at which time you should hear the fuel pump running - if you don't hear the fuel pump, check the main relay - check the ground wires that attach to the thermostat housing to make sure they are connected, clean and secure

 

My problem with some of the stuff you guys mentioned is spending anymore money on testers and such isn't going to happen... I can't afford to spend anymore money testing or fixing this thing.. I'm already over 2k into repairs over 4 years... I'd rather just return the battery and throw her on CL... >.>

Again on the timing situation.. in the past year, I've had the timing belt replaced, and the distributor unit.. so that shouldn't be an issue...

To clarify a few other things you mentioned: It's gettin gas.. After 10 or 20 seconds I can smell it flooding out and stop cranking...

I'll try a few of the no cost solutions you mentioned... and get back to you after I'm home from work...

Spoke to a dude here at work he suggested changing the spark plug wires and spark plugs... I'll try those since they're what I consider basic maintenance..

 

Check your main relay

Turn key to on position and see the CEL light will turn off. Which should goes off in fee seconds. If it doesn't goes off and stayed on. Then check your main relay.

 

So I had to return the battery because I needed to buy some other stuff before pay day... Now I'm thinking I might just sell her....

I've already put over 2k into major repairs to keep her running and driving safely the last 4 years and I think that's just my limit... Bluebook she's got no value, I'm never going to have the money to really tune her up and make her look nice as I'd like to... But there are others who do, and would want to.... So I think it's time to sell and get something else...