i didn't want to waste thread space but...

my Max died. the car was running like crap, misfiring like a machine gun. slowed down and made a right turn, as i began to accelerate it lost power, dropped to idle, died, all within about 2 seconds.

the problem is electrical whatever it is. when i turn the key it doesn't crank, the fuel pump doesn't hum, the relay for the starter doesn't even click. we bypassed the the relay and jumped the starter directly: it cranks and cranks and cranks but will not turn over.

also, i changed out the ecu on the off-chance that could be it, same thing.

please please PLEASE someone help. i'm continuing to check connections, grounds, fuses, harnesses... EVERYTHING.

ps: only relevant code besides the good ol' "random misfire" was a fuel temp sensor code. again, afaik, it should still crank.

 

have u checked ur cam and crank sensors there are 2 crank sensors one under the pulley and one where the transmission meets the engine cam sensor is on the timing chain cover has one 10 mm bolt on it check those just read fuel pump doesnt even turn on u may have no power to the ecu do u have a copy of the fsm?

 

the ecu is getting power, i can read codes from it.

i have the fsm, i've been burning holes in it all night and all day.

i'm visually checking sensors as i go, unfortunately my multi-meter doesn't work. guess that's my penance for buying walmart crap.

 

Bueller? Bueller? Beul...

 

There is a lot of possibilities here. You mentioned multiple misfires, a code for fuel temp sensor, car not cranking, relay for starter not clicking. You bypassed the relay and jumped the starter and it cranked and cranked and still not starting. I am guessing this is multiple problems here.

Check the 30A fuses and report back.

 

Check the FSM EC section TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS FOR NON-DETECTABLE ITEMS. Especially the part about start signal and fuel pump control. If it cranks and won't start at least make sure the fuel pump is working.

 

maybe its the crank pulley but im not sure 100%

 

Fuses - checked
Fuel Pump - I thought we concluded it was humming that night.

It WILL start (when the starter is jumped) and turn over for a second, but it dies like it's out of gas, we were able to start it MULTIPLE times that night, which is why I do not believe it's a fuel pump issue.

The real problem is why does the relay not click to start the starter?? Even when my ghetto double ***** for my 6mt starter fell off, I still heard the relay click.

I think that's the issue we need to tackle first, running issues can easily be troubleshooted later.

 

Ignition switch meltdown?? Hows radio, windows, locks, lights, horn etc.? Check every thing, and use the fsm wiring diagram to check common grounds and hot points. Do you get spark and fuel when jumping the starter?

Bypass your inhibitor relay, the cranking failure might be in that circuit.

 

All of his electronics worked fine, locks, seats, int lights, outside lights, keyfob, etc.... when you turn the key to start it the lights, clock, radio etc turn off like they should also.

And in my earlier post, we had multiple times in getting it to turn over and run for about a second or two, but the car would die immediately, reminds me of my car and it's fuel pump issues, but atleast mine would crank.... But my fuel pump issues are NATS or low fuel related, certainly don't have these problems on a 1/4 tank, and my car would certainly not start more than once either, it'd turn over once then die, and never turn over again till I either fixed the key or added more gas to the tank.

@ relay idea, we'll add that to the to-do list.

Oh yah, i was there for a few hours trying to get it to start btw lol, so I may ***** up the thread more than him...

 

i've been eyeballing that relay. there is no fuel pressure and there is no ignition and those are what i want to resolve. start with the ignition issue, then move on to fuel.

aackshun, it no longer sputters and dies, it only cranks.

also, there's a full grounding kit

 

whats the battery voltage when just sitting, whats the voltage when cranking?
It may be strong enough to power the accessories but not run or start.
My best guess. I've gotta keep my eye on this because I've got a similiar problem and can only post in the newb section

 

But you guys have a broken multimeter. Its difficult to visually check the CKPS and CPS sensors and rule them out as being ok. Do you guys have any spares to swap out and test?

 

This is true but when you work 4 days a week and go to school the other 3, you have limited time and resources. Not to mention the car was pulled to a friend's house over an hour from where I live. So in the time I had available I could only visually inspect for cracked sensors and broken harnesses. I will be testing as soon as I get a chance. Until then we're troubleshooting with another car to try and simulate the problem.

Still looking for reasons the starter relay won't even click over.

 

I thought this was a given,

 

Ok, went for another round of testing today. There is fuel pressure. This is great to find out. Still don't know why there is no ignition and I won't be able to get back to the car for a few days.

I'll pick up a working meter when I get a chance.

 

did you swap out the battery? if it has shorted cell(s) it can cause all kinds of havoc...

 

Check fuse # 17 (10amp) and, if you have a manual trans, also fuse # 33 (7.5 amp). These fuses can keep the the relay that feeds the starter solenoid from energizing. But I don't think these fuses would have anything to do with the engine dying out.

 

dennis, i want to make sweet, violent, passionate love to you!

i swear i went through all the relevant fuses, somehow i missed that one. the car still runs like crap though, i'm going to make a run to advance to get codes pulled.

 

:metalmax:

 

I second this..:metalmax:

 

shush, you've been begging.

anyway, it's running, but awfully. went to advance and had the codes pulled...
P1320 - IGN Signal-Primary
P0180 - Fuel Temp Sensor
P0443 - Cannis Purg Cont S/V

i can test the fuel temp sensor and it's harness, shouldn't be difficult

the real problem is the P1320. unfortunately there is no associated code that would narrow down any one cylinder or other item to be tested.

suggestions?

EDIT: also, strangely the airbag light is flashing slowly now. dunno what that's about, lol

EDIT: EDIT: scratch the airbag light. i prolly messed something up shoving the ecu back in place, lol.

the car is running fairly well now. i'm down to resolving the random misfire which could be related to the fuel temp sensor being bad. i just find it strange that it only just now threw a code for it when i've had the random miss for over a year.

 

for some reason the movie Lonesome Cowboy comes to mind!

 

Hahahahahaha. So I finally looked that up on IMDb and all I could think of as I read the summary was, "WTF???", lol