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RESOLVED: Ignition System Troubleshooting - Cranks w/ No Start
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!
RESOLVED: Ignition System Troubleshooting - Cranks w/ No Start
I've given it my best shot, time to lean on the members here. Out of no where the car went unresponsive while trying to back in my driveway, eventually it died. My basic efforts are listed below.
Last Night:
- Key on SES / INFL /Security light operation normal = Cranks / No Start
- Checked for spark at Cap/Coil - Test Light seemed weak > Swapped ICM on a whim = Cranks / No Start
- Battery drained from to many attempts
This Morning:
- Swapped in Spare battery off the charger reading 12.8V = Cranks / No Start
- Key On Battery Voltage @ 12.6V > Ignition Voltage 7V-9V (TunerPro)
- TPS Voltage was .53 so it didn't appear to be in Clear Flood Mode (TunerPro)
- Fuel Pressure While Cranking @ 11-12psi = Cranks / No Start
- Watched For Injector Spray while cranking - Appeared present from where I was standing
- Key On CTS / MAT Reading 81.5* In TunerPro - IRT also read 81*
* Noticed Oil Pressure gauge was at 0 and didn't move - Car has Oil Level in Op Range per dipstick
**Tried starting fluid = Cranked Slowly / No Start - On this try I checked the battery I just put in and it was down to about 12.35V. Waiting on my original to come off the charger.
At this point i'm stuck, ANY advice would be sincerely appreciated.
Last edited by 92RS-HeritageEd; 05-22-2019 at 09:35 PM.
Reason: Resolved?
Well you tried starting fluid so unless the timing chain flew off, that leaves spark or spark timing. Check for spark at each plug wire - make sure there's no play in the rotor - could have lost the distributor gear, etc.
After you swapped the ICM did the spark look good? I have had bad luck with ICM's... sounds like you are getting fuel and air... would just need spark to start
Original Battery charged to 13.3V, Hooked it up, super tightened connections and it fired up like NEVER before Vac Gauge was 20-21in from the start like one would expect. Backed it up in the drive way and turn it off. I started to write this post then thought Before I got toooooo happy I WAITED 30 minutes or so, went back out, attempted to start. SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was like a act of GOD (or whatever higher power you believe in). SOMETHING in my troubleshooting / part swapping acts of desperation appears to have resolved the Cranks - No Start Issue matter and potentially the High MAP Voltage - Low Vac At Idle too!
- Spare ICM (Installed this last night and still received crank w/ No Start - Running Like A CHAMP now)
- Spare Fuel Injector POD w/ OEM Injectors pulled from a Caprice w/ the L03 (Installed this before my last attempt to start mentioned above and still received crank w/ No Start - Now has a nice & strong cone spray pattern!)
- Spare MAP Sensor - (Installed this same spare while troubleshooting the MAP Voltage Issue & no change - NOW, readings are in line w/ my running car!)
I had marked this matter resolved. It QUICKLY came back and I suspect the ICM. Ran the car after stat replacement making a datalog, ran great, fans came on at 225*. Since I messed w/ the timing before I brought out the light, it was slightly retarded, bumped it up to 0*, ran even better than before. Tightened dhdb, turned car off, blah blah blah. Go to start car back up and cranks but will not start.
Connected In-Line Spark checker between Cap/Coil > No Light
What's the best LIFETIME warranty ICM I can get? I used Insignia™ - Thermal Compound from best buy, is it any good for this application? What do you all do to keep the ICM pampered and cool. Either they need to sell them in packs of 2 or I need to quit using JY spares.
Went out this morning, swapped the aftermarket ICM I just swapped in for a GM ICM stamped 369. The test light flickered once while cranking. Im done w/ the JY spares, throwing them all away! No parts store in the Central Ohio area has the wells machine for ICM testing so even a new one off the shelf is a crap shoot.
What's the best LIFETIME warranty ICM I can get?Or what ICM's have you had the best luck with?
Given the tons of posts on here about parts-store ICM's I went w/ the JEGS Ignition Control Module w/ 1yr warranty for $49 which was the alt to the Pertronix Flame-Thrower ICM. I'll pick it up in the morning w/ a new JEGS Remote HEI Coil and see how it goes.
Last edited by 92RS-HeritageEd; 05-21-2019 at 01:43 PM.
Reason: Ordered Part
Re: Ignition System Troubleshooting - Cranks w/ No Start
I got everything as a matched set (distributor and coil) from Davis Unified Ignition and am very happy with the quality. As a side benefit, it runs Vortec plug gap (.060").
Re: Ignition System Troubleshooting - Cranks w/ No Start
Picked up the ICM w/ Matched Coil > Installed Correctly > Cranks slowly like dead battery / Test Light barely flickered.
Swapped in Battery charged at 12.8V > Cranks slowly like dead battery / Test Light barely flickered.
Does the starter have to spin the motor fast enough, to generate a ref pulse, for this to work?
New Find: While the question remains, I found the dang main block/battery ground wire came out of the connector to the battery. I'll replace that while on lunch and try again...
Last edited by 92RS-HeritageEd; 05-22-2019 at 12:10 PM.
Re: Ignition System Troubleshooting - Cranks w/ No Start
Car started & restarted while setting the timing to 4*. It also taught me the valuable lesson SAFETY FIRST! I got zapped while holding the ratchet, while setting the timing without removing the air cleaner. All-In-All I lived lol, the car did too. Now I just hope this JEGS ICM/Coil combo lasts 11 months so I can warranty replace them later in their life cycle vs earlier like most over the counter ICM's even though it might not have been the original issue.
Went out this morning, swapped the aftermarket ICM I just swapped in for a GM ICM stamped 369. The test light flickered once while cranking. Im done w/ the JY spares, throwing them all away! No parts store in the Central Ohio area has the wells machine for ICM testing so even a new one off the shelf is a crap shoot.
What's the best LIFETIME warranty ICM I can get?Or what ICM's have you had the best luck with?
Given the tons of posts on here about parts-store ICM's I went w/ the JEGS Ignition Control Module w/ 1yr warranty for $49 which was the alt to the Pertronix Flame-Thrower ICM. I'll pick it up in the morning w/ a new JEGS Remote HEI Coil and see how it goes.
Good luck with those aftermarket ICMs. The only ones that seem to last are the AC Delco. I had one of those Pertronics ICMs literally melt and come apart in pieces. The heat kills them. I recommend you carry a spare in the glove box along with the drivers needed to replace. I had to change that POS Pertronics on the side of the freeway on a 110 degree day. Pissed me off.
05-19-2019, 09:53 AM
I've given it my best shot, time to lean on the members here. Out of no where the car went unresponsive while trying to back in my driveway, eventually it died. My basic efforts are listed below.
without removing the air cleaner. All-In-All I lived lol, the car did too. Now I just hope this JEGS ICM/Coil combo lasts 11 months so I can warranty replace them later in their life cycle vs earlier like most over the counter ICM's even though it might not have been the original issue.
