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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Car ran ok,so I felt ok driving it from point A to B. So on two separate occasions this "Random No-Start" has happened in the last 6 days...
The Background:
Monday - Car stared at every key turn throughout the day, work, breaks, etc. Got off work, started car and begin my drive home. Stopped for something at the grocery store, came out, No-Start... Engine just cranks, car towed home.
Tue - Went to JY pulled a ECM from a 90 caprice as I had found out through another thread I was using the incorrect PROM in a previous ECM replacement. Car started right up, so I continued on.
Wed - Fri - At some point I reinstalled the Hypertech chip, drove bau following my normal routine. A side note, I began using 91-93 Octane fuel as well as Hypertech suggest 91 or higher.
Sat - Car stared at every key turn throughout the day, work, breaks, etc. Got off work, started car and begin my drive home. Stopped at AutoZone for a Walker O2 Sensor to cure this code 44, came out, No-Start... Engine just cranks, again the car was towed home.
The Question:
Will a faulty Ignition Coil cause this random no-start?
Last edited by 92RS-HeritageEd; Jul 28, 2018 at 09:49 PM.
Not usually, coils either work or don't. Usually. You detailed two times it didn't start, will it start now without doing anything? Or has it randomly not started and started after you experienced a no start? If you cant start right now, check for fuel and spark to get a beginning point for troubleshooting otherwise you are just throwing parts at it and that's no fun.
Will it start now without doing anything?Unknown - After jumping the gun earlier and attempting an Ignition Coil replacement (I had one from my last attempt at a tune up that never made it on), and reconnecting negative battery terminal I attempted to start it. Fired right up and It ran for about 30 seconds maybe 45 then it died. Then went right back to the No-Start, just cranking. This was the case no matter which 1 of 2 1228746's & Hypertech Chip, stock AXKT 1113, 90 Caprice ATYR, or 91 Firebird APTY (despite it being for a manual) PROM's. I just needed the car to start and it did not, it just cranked.
Has it randomly not started and started after you experienced a no start?This is a new issue, not something experienced before. The only No-Start shes ever given me was battery related.
Check for fuel.The best I can do here is tell you that with the air cleaner removed I see both injectors spraying in a cone shape.
Check for spark.I'm not quite sure of how to test this, I believe Harbor Freight sells a El-cheap-O inline spark tester but I'm not sure. Wouldn't know what to do even if I had it.
*I did forget to mention in my original post that I noticed my coolant temp gauge never left 100 degrees or so. and the sensor is new and the gauge worked up to that point.
**Ignition Coil not replaced, new coil didn't come with mounting brackets, so back in the stock unit went.
Sounds like your ICM may be on it's way out...get it tested.
After a long morning at the JY I pulled an unknown distributor cap (Blue w/ Brass Terminals vs Black w/ Steel?) and what appears to be a fairly newer ICM (Model # 0857282B - White in color vs OEM Black?). I also grabbed the Ignition Coil as it's mounting bracket had screws where as my stock unit had rivets preventing me from installing my spare. Stopped for the thermal paste needed and no auto parts store in the city sells it. I was told I could use CPU Thermal Paste and luckily I had some laying around. Installed ICM, New Coil, New Re-man'ed 1228746 w/ AXKT PROM and she fired right up, a lot easier than before also. After a few laps around the block, turned her off and back on with no issues.
However it was too good to be true, Just went outside, tried again... No-Start
*ICM Tested good at local parts store
*Ignition Coil is new
*In-Line Ignition Spark Test Light - Bulb flashes as engine cranks
Just In Case someone thought of asking have I pulled a plug... just did...this is what came out...
Last edited by 92RS-HeritageEd; Jul 29, 2018 at 06:01 PM.
Problem with an intermittent is, you have no way of knowing which state it was in when it was "tested".
IOW, it probably was in "start" mode at the moment, rather than "no-start". "Testing" those is famous and renowned for giving false "good" results.
I'd recommend just changing it out.
And some new plugs too... looks like you've got your money's worth out of that one, anyway.
Are you saying replace, the replacement? My original ICM failed in-store testing on the WELLS Machine, the unit I pulled from the yard tested good, and that's what I installed. Before I installed it the in-line ignition spark checker wouldn't flash with the original ICM. It only began flashing with the JY replacement, and that's what led me to the plugs...
Last time I checked, I was getting spark between the Distributor Cap & Ignition Coil. I will be grabbing a set of plugs after work and I'll check for spark at the plugs.
Yea I ended up going with the AC CR45TS's. I did the first two on the driver side lol it got dark, I had to bail. The two past that seemed impossible anyway, and the passenger side... they all seemed impossible. Car is currently up on jack stands, it seemed like they'd be easier to access them from below but I find myself stuck...
Those PITA spark plugs are finally changed, checked all connections. She started up, made it a few laps around the block as before. Went in for a drink and sat, came back out and she fired right up. Those plugs aren't the easiest in the world however with a clear head, plenty of time and advice from everyone here even a noob can do it.
This might be solved, but stick around and we'll see!
