I got an 87 rex with a zc motor. Up until now I have had no problems but now the car cranks all day long but it won't kick over. I tried new plugs and wires, it needed them anyways but still no work, I also double checked to make sure it is the right firing order. I was hopeing someone out there has some good troubleshooting tips I could try. Let me know Thanks

 

check for spark... also check out your battery...and check out the starter itself.

 

So its getting fuel ok?

 

Starter's cool,it's actually it's only a few months old and I double checked the connection just in case. What is the best way to make sure it's getting spark and fuel???

 

To check the spark you can pull the wire off the plug and stick a screw driver in whear the top of the plug would go. Hold the handle of the screwdriver and hold the metal shaft next (about the size of the spark plug gap) to somthing grounded (valvecover). There should be spark when you crank the engine.

To check for fuel loosen one of the fittings or the return line off the fuel rail. If you do this and turn the key the fuel pump should run for a couple seconds and spay fuel.

Something else you may want to check would be the battary volts. My LSV will turn all day long but doesnt start cause the battary Im using does not have enough power so I have to put it on a charger the get it to crank out the extra couple volts for enough rpm out of the starter to crank the engine.

 

Prolly your distributor...Take a spark plug wire off the end where it goes into the head, have someone hold it so the end that connects to the spark plug is really close to any part of metal on the valve cover and crank the motor over and see if u see a spark or not. No spark = distributor is bad or maybe only the igniter....But when that same thing happened to me it was the distributor.

 

check for fuel, i bet its that. turn your key to "on" and listen for the fuel pump to pressurize the system. if you dont hear it kick in, then either the pump is fried or the main relay is. first, try swapping out the main relay (under the drivers side panel(little black box that says "relay" on it)) with a known working one and hope you dont fry theirs. if that doesnt do the trick, then its probably the pump. first of all things though, if you dont think you hear the pump pressurizing, and its not the relay, do like the dude said and cover everything with rags, crack the fuel line and then turn your key to "on". if theres not fuel everywhere, then its def the pump. in case you didnt know, you have to drop the fuel tank to get to the pump (if you do it yourself) hope this helps....

 

Starter's cool,it's actually it's only a few months old and I double checked the connection just in case. What is the best way to make sure it's getting spark and fuel???

 

it's your dizzy.

time for a new one.

atleast a new cap and rotor i imagine.
take the dizzy cap off and make sure the rotor is fine, not free to spin etc.

 

Alright guys I checked each plug wire and got a spark and checked the gas line before and after the fuel filter(just in case the filter was clogged), and have found no problems. I noticed someone said the dizzy was shot, should I replace the whole thing or just start with the cap and rotor. I did notice that the caps' points are a little worn and the rotor also? Let me know thanks

 

cheap way first... buy a new cap and rotor...

 

Alright guys I checked each plug wire and got a spark and checked the gas line before and after the fuel filter(just in case the filter was clogged), and have found no problems. I noticed someone said the dizzy was shot, should I replace the whole thing or just start with the cap and rotor. I did notice that the caps' points are a little worn and the rotor also? Let me know thanks

 

Alright guys I checked each plug wire and got a spark and checked the gas line before and after the fuel filter(just in case the filter was clogged), and have found no problems. I noticed someone said the dizzy was shot, should I replace the whole thing or just start with the cap and rotor. I did notice that the caps' points are a little worn and the rotor also? Let me know thanks

 

I dont know why it keeps repeating what I said earlier but just disregard that. I have changed out the dizzy and bought a brand spanking new cap and rotor and the car still wont start. If you guys have any more ideas let me know, Thanks

 

check to see if the timing belt is broken

 

I checked timing belt is good

 

is the timing itself good? all lined up correctly? even one tooth off could mean no start..

 

does it start to crank? could be the ignition switch turning itself off, there is also a starter fuse, at least on 2nd gens anyway, check that as well