Okay, I have done my "searches" to save redundancy, but I still can not find anything can anybody help or suggest? Here is situation and here is what has been done.

Car turn, but may or may not start. If it does start it usually take several, I mean several cranks. It sounds as if there is a "Pop" or detonation sound. While cranking all the lights will shut down for a millisecond and continue the cranking process. I got 0802 code once indicating that the crankshaft sensor (POS) is malfunctioning. I checked this sensor it was cleaned and put back in, reset the ECU and the code has not returned.
I have checked:
-the (REF) crankshaft sensor the resistance is within tolerances
-the (POS) crankshaft sensor, the resisitance is within tolerances
-the camshaft sensor, it checks out fine
-the ground from the battery to the block
-isolated each ground in the sensor harnesses
-the sensor harness plugs, clean and a good connection
-when this car is put on a scope it has a steady ignition signal not spuratic at all
-all injectors where checked- fine
-all coil packs were checked- fine

Once it starts it runs great (I love my MAX), but it is not a reliable starting car right now. It doesn't matter whether it is hot or cold, time of day, or what shoes I am wearing. It is very inconsistant. I read the books, the sites, I have also talked and worked with some very good "driveability guys" about this. They are stumped. I gave it to a very good drivability guy for two days, he could not find it. I have read in one of the threads that some have separated the tranny and engine, cleaned the mating surface, and reassembled, it worked, for them... I don't buy this. It is not logical. Help I am loosing my mind

 

Just playing.

Any mods? UDP maybe?

 

One of the three sensors you checked is playing a little game with you. Had the same problem with by buddies I30. Started sometimes, and sometimes it didn't. Even after a very hard start with long cranking time, it would run perfectly. It did that for about 1 month and never threw a codes for us either. One day it finally just would not start. All sensors seemed to pass the resistance test and I even had what looked to be a good ignition signal on my oscylliscope, yet the car didn't start. We finally had it towed to Infinity.

They replaced one of the Crank sensors (I dont remember which one) and the car has been fine from that day forward.

Keep in mind, they all passed the resistance test as per my Haynes manual and I also had what looked like a good ignition signal to my coil packs.

Your popping sound indicates a timing problem. Ignition timing is controlled by both crank sensors.

 

Thanks for the info. That's what I was thinking. I think I may just go with the first code given 0802 and change the positional sensor and see what happens. I would rather change that for $100 from Napa or whatever, than have the dealer change it for $200+. You know at first I balked at the cost of these sensors, but after hearing/reading what the dealer gets for a simple installation it is cheap.

 

Did you REPLACE the crank pulley with an aftermarket one recently?