Okay last night after work the car would keep cranking and turning over, it just wouldn't start. I have 4 gallons in there and I put in another one thinking maybe that would do the trick. Nope. Fuel pump primed and everything. Battery was charged. I check the fuses TWICE, and all are fine. Funny thing happened when I checked the VATS fuse and put it back in, the car wouldn't even turn over at all. So that eliminated VATs being an issue from what I understand about VATS. ((Vats side story)) A long time ago at a gas station the car wouldn't turn over, I thought it was a dead battery. Well I waited for my ride and gave it another shot, and it turned right over and started. So I know VATS isn't the issue on this one.

Anyway, I get it home and this morning I try and see if the battery is indeed dead by recharging it. It's fine, the car still only turns over but doesn't start. I check fuel pressure and it's holding at 38psi or so.

Well, my last check was to see if there is any spark. I have my brother hold the #1 plug boot to a strut tower bolt while I try to start the car. Well there was no spark arc. Is that a good indication that there is no spark, that it could be a distributor problem? I know the cap and rotor are original and they lasted a good 17 years.

Basically, what should be my next step? To reiterate, car turns over, battery is good, VATs isn't a culprit, 38psi fuel pressure, and 4-5 gallons of GAS, but there was no spark arc when I tried to start it this morning.

Thanks TGO gurus.

 

Have you checked your ignition coil?

 

Okay, the coil is that the same thing as the pick-up coil? I did a massive search and asked a friend and he said it could also be the ignition control module or the coil. Both are relatively cheap.

 

I would check the ignition control module. Or, you could send it out to a mechanic and get charged 200 dollars like I did in my early years... talk about being raped.

 

The ignition coil would be the easiest/quickest to replace. But yes, it could be the ICM too. Good luck.

 

The little MF'er started right up this morning w/o a problem...twice.

The goofy part is, it has the dead battery in it right now. I have been charging it while I watch TV just so the prospective buyer can test the stereo, windows, & what not. When it died 2 nights ago it had my truck's GOOD battery in it and it would just turn and turn. This morning I jiggled the 2 connectors to the distributor while it charged, but I did nothing else.

Does that point to anything? I'm glad it started, but now I'm afraid to drive it anywhere far away and turn it off, risking it going dead again.