I tried replacing the plug, I tried replacing the wire. The distributor cap looks okay and is one year old. Every other cylinder fires fine. The ignition module died last week, so that is new. #3 is just being a bitch. It worked for a second when I had a new wire and plug on, but then stopped working. The car would not start without starting fluid a few times today(injectors were not firing for some reason), but has never done that before. It would just crank and crank, I have no idea why. The valve lash is fine, I can hear no audible noise from the engine except an exhaust leak at the collector on the other side, and the injectors ticking(this is a tpi car), and an occasional whine from my new alternator. We're going to run a compression test tomorrow, any ideas?

 

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Same problem screwed me..

 

how hard was it to replace ur ignition module?

 

Rezinn,

Start with the compression test just to be sure of mechanical condition, but be prepared to check the fuel rail pressure and injector function. You may want to perform a power balance test with the injectors. Search the archives and you should find the details in one of my posts.

 

The problem was solved. I took the car to Don Lorenzens shop early this morning(he built the engine 2000 miles ago), and I was dumbfounded how he fixed it. The engine was running, #3 was dead. The car would not start without starting fluid, so we got it started and he hit the fuel injector with a screwdriver, apparently dislodging something. This made the car run perfect! Thanks for the help guys.

The ignition module is very easy to replace. You just take off your distributor cap and remove two screws, then install the new one with some white compound on it that comes with the new module. You have to connect two wires, and then put the cap and wires back on.

On another note, I bough a new cap and rotor from autozone yesterday for 18.99, and the parts appeared to be exactly the same as the ones that came with my msd distributor. Nice bronze terminals and of course the bright red color.

 

Ahh, the old "hit it with a bigger hammer" trick. Amazingly effective at times