'92 SSEi won't start... help a mechanically inclined novice
12-05-2002, 02:07 AM
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'92 SSEi won't start... help a mechanically inclined novice
I'm pretty good w/ cars... built my fair share of hotrods, converted cars to and from fuel injection, built custom turbo setups, etc. but all I work on are Fords (ducking flying objects), so working on my dad'* bonne feels like trying to throw a football w/ my left hand...
only thing I've ever done to it beyond changing plugs and oil was replace the blower when the gears got trashed...
anyhow, it was running fine and dandy, went out to start it, and nothing. the fuel pump is priming and there'* fuel at the rail. I'm pretty sure I checked for spark, but I can't remember (the car has been sitting for a couple weeks now... he'* driving one of my cars right now).
I thought maybe it was the neutral safety switch or something, so I bridged the solenoid on the starter with the key in the run position. the thing turned over, but wouldn't fire. That'* when I got frustrated (because I'm working on four other cars) and closed the hood and it hasn't moved since.
ignition module? coil packs?
I don't really know where to start troubleshooting. I'll pull codes on it tomorrow, but I don't recall the check engine light coming on.
just looking for some brainstorming/troubleshooting assistance from some guys who live and breathe these vehicles!
thanks in advance for ANY help,
Forrest
only thing I've ever done to it beyond changing plugs and oil was replace the blower when the gears got trashed...
anyhow, it was running fine and dandy, went out to start it, and nothing. the fuel pump is priming and there'* fuel at the rail. I'm pretty sure I checked for spark, but I can't remember (the car has been sitting for a couple weeks now... he'* driving one of my cars right now).
I thought maybe it was the neutral safety switch or something, so I bridged the solenoid on the starter with the key in the run position. the thing turned over, but wouldn't fire. That'* when I got frustrated (because I'm working on four other cars) and closed the hood and it hasn't moved since.
ignition module? coil packs?
I don't really know where to start troubleshooting. I'll pull codes on it tomorrow, but I don't recall the check engine light coming on.
just looking for some brainstorming/troubleshooting assistance from some guys who live and breathe these vehicles!
thanks in advance for ANY help,
Forrest
12-05-2002, 02:34 AM
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I just went out (damn it'* cold!!) and pulled codes... it just sits there and laughs at me with a steady code 12 
oh, another thing I forgot about... for a while there before this happened you'd be driving, and all of the dash lights would flicker, trip would reset to zero, gauges would peg like you were just turning the car on, etc.
it started doing this when I was running the test is why I'm reminded.
Forrest
oh, another thing I forgot about... for a while there before this happened you'd be driving, and all of the dash lights would flicker, trip would reset to zero, gauges would peg like you were just turning the car on, etc.
it started doing this when I was running the test is why I'm reminded.
Forrest
12-05-2002, 04:09 AM
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Ok, ford lover. Don't know why I'm doing this 
Rule out the coil packs by using the procedure up in Techinfo. Not all 3 will go out at once, but check 'em anyway. You have fuel at the rail, and all 6 injectors didn't crap either. What'* the pressure?That also rules out the cam sensor (it determines fuel delivery).
No codes, so it probably isn't the crank sensor. Check for spark anyway and rule that out. If you're not getting spark, it'* either the crank sensor or module. IF you're getting spark......I'd be really tempted to do a compression check and if it'* bad, you may want to look at the timing chain. Long shot, haven't seen one fail, but with spark and fuel, this may not be a long shot.
The other long shot is to use the other ignition key. VATS has been known to screw with people.
Rule out the coil packs by using the procedure up in Techinfo. Not all 3 will go out at once, but check 'em anyway. You have fuel at the rail, and all 6 injectors didn't crap either. What'* the pressure?That also rules out the cam sensor (it determines fuel delivery).No codes, so it probably isn't the crank sensor. Check for spark anyway and rule that out. If you're not getting spark, it'* either the crank sensor or module. IF you're getting spark......I'd be really tempted to do a compression check and if it'* bad, you may want to look at the timing chain. Long shot, haven't seen one fail, but with spark and fuel, this may not be a long shot.
The other long shot is to use the other ignition key. VATS has been known to screw with people.
12-05-2002, 11:20 PM
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Also with the symptoms you describe on the dashboard, the problem may be electrical. I would scrub all the battery connectors and terminals with a wire brush, including in-between the two red connector cables, the bolts, and the surfaces of the battery. This would rule out bad connections at the battery.
If this doesn't do it you may have an intermittent short elsewhere.
If this doesn't do it you may have an intermittent short elsewhere.
01-02-2003, 08:42 PM
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you said that you thought it was the neutral safty switch. does it turn over without jumping it? i have seen the cam gear strip its teeth a few times . most are alum with plastic teeth, but when it does that, it gets costly. everyone that i repaired for this has bent atleast 9 pushrods and 7 valves. not good. it really sounds electrical. after you check the battery terminals, check the bulkhead connector where the wiring harness goes though the firewall. they tend to get nasty inside. i ahve also seen a battery get a floater inside and cause a short in the battery. this will cause the battery to use all of its energy . they wont even jump usually. they just suck in the amps.
01-02-2003, 11:17 PM
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Hmhh i know when the computer went out on my car it did all kinds of crazy things to the guages. They all went to zero or max and lights would blink on and off all over.
Might want to have the computer looked at to make sure it is ok and not fried.
Might want to have the computer looked at to make sure it is ok and not fried.
01-04-2003, 08:18 PM
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the worst one i have seen was in a 91 gran prix. i do know the replacement was cast iron. but it was a 3800. i do think they had a service bulletin from GM about the replacement of these gears before they started using cast cam gears. they said to replace the oem part with a cast one and replace the tensioner too.
01-09-2003, 08:41 AM
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Re: '92 SSEi won't start... help a mechanically inclined no
Originally Posted by Forrest
I'm pretty good w/ cars... built my fair share of hotrods, converted cars to and from fuel injection, built custom turbo setups, etc. but all I work on are Fords (ducking flying objects), so working on my dad'* bonne feels like trying to throw a football w/ my left hand...
only thing I've ever done to it beyond changing plugs and oil was replace the blower when the gears got trashed...
anyhow, it was running fine and dandy, went out to start it, and nothing. the fuel pump is priming and there'* fuel at the rail. I'm pretty sure I checked for spark, but I can't remember (the car has been sitting for a couple weeks now... he'* driving one of my cars right now).
I thought maybe it was the neutral safety switch or something, so I bridged the solenoid on the starter with the key in the run position. the thing turned over, but wouldn't fire. That'* when I got frustrated (because I'm working on four other cars) and closed the hood and it hasn't moved since.
ignition module? coil packs?
I don't really know where to start troubleshooting. I'll pull codes on it tomorrow, but I don't recall the check engine light coming on.
just looking for some brainstorming/troubleshooting assistance from some guys who live and breathe these vehicles!
thanks in advance for ANY help,
Forrest
only thing I've ever done to it beyond changing plugs and oil was replace the blower when the gears got trashed...
anyhow, it was running fine and dandy, went out to start it, and nothing. the fuel pump is priming and there'* fuel at the rail. I'm pretty sure I checked for spark, but I can't remember (the car has been sitting for a couple weeks now... he'* driving one of my cars right now).
I thought maybe it was the neutral safety switch or something, so I bridged the solenoid on the starter with the key in the run position. the thing turned over, but wouldn't fire. That'* when I got frustrated (because I'm working on four other cars) and closed the hood and it hasn't moved since.
ignition module? coil packs?
I don't really know where to start troubleshooting. I'll pull codes on it tomorrow, but I don't recall the check engine light coming on.
just looking for some brainstorming/troubleshooting assistance from some guys who live and breathe these vehicles!
thanks in advance for ANY help,
Forrest
For the VATS Key Resistance Specs try this:
http://www.friedpoodle.com/ba/viewtopic.php?t=307
For Ignition Cable resistances try this:
http://www.friedpoodle.com/ba/viewtopic.php?t=304
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