you guys are going to love this. i was driving to a dr appt yesterday, when all of the sudden the check engine light comes on, and about 2 seconds later the car dies. i pull it into some ladies driveway, try to start it and it just cranks. could smell gas, so im pretty sure it isnt a fuel problem. i tried to check the codes and all it gives me is 12. i tried starting it quite a bit, and for the most part it just cranks but 2 or 3 times it sounded like it wanted to start, sounded like it normally does starting for maybe a second, then died. well the 3rd time it did that, it backfired, and blew my flowmaster 80 series muffler apart! one just gaping rip in it and a smaller hole maybe an inch around. now i've never had any sort of trouble with the engine backfiring, or ignition trouble before. i checked most of the wires, and none of them showed any spark. i believe my motor runs about 9.8:1 compression based on what the previous owner told me, anyone heard of a motor just blowing the muffler while being cranked? how do i go about diagnosing the ignition and pinpointing the problem? thanks a lot,
Shaun

 

I'd start with making sure you have voltage to the coil. If so mabye take out the ignition module and see if Autozone can test it (I know most of the have the Wells ign tester bench). If that checks good, you may want to look in the book and go through the ignition diagnosis flow chart. Test the pick up plate, coil etc.
That sucks about your flowmaster!! I suspect the ignition module overheated, and maybe gave enough spark after the engine/exhaust was full of fuel to detonate your muffler.
Good Luck

 

I certainly agree about checking the ignition module. Those little buggers just die without warning so often...

But can you get us a picture of that muffler? As bad as it is, you have to laugh at something that ridiculous. Perhaps Flowmaster has started using cheap Chinese metal?

 

sure man i'll get you a picture, soon as i sort this out and get a new muffler. leaning towards a hooker, unless i like the blown apart flowmaster rumble too much lol.

 

I just got my Hooker today while I was at work. The HUGE box that says "HOOKER" on it gave my mom and the UPS guy a laugh atleast... my mom tried explaining that it was for her 19 year old son, that didnt help out any



here's a picture of it actually