Drove it yesterday, doesn't start today? 97 se sc
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 7
From: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___

Originally Posted by Technical Ted
While he'* getting dinner (pot roast sounds good) can we clear up a few things.
#1 - I thought Vats wasn't an issue if the starter is turning over the motor. Yes? No? Different years do different things?
#2 - Will the engine start with a bad crank sensor?
#3 - Will the engine start with a bad Cam sensor?
#4 - Should there be dielectric grease under the coils to prevent corrosion?
#1 - I thought Vats wasn't an issue if the starter is turning over the motor. Yes? No? Different years do different things?
#2 - Will the engine start with a bad crank sensor?
#3 - Will the engine start with a bad Cam sensor?
#4 - Should there be dielectric grease under the coils to prevent corrosion?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall County Texas

There was a little of the grease stuff on the posts for the coils. I had the crank sensor replaced last summer. Dont even know what a vat is.
Oh, my wife just gave it to me. How long are we going to keep working on this car. Blah blah. When is enough enough. When will you know what your doing with it. Yikes !
I want to fix this so the car stays at my house if you know what I mean.
Oh, my wife just gave it to me. How long are we going to keep working on this car. Blah blah. When is enough enough. When will you know what your doing with it. Yikes !
I want to fix this so the car stays at my house if you know what I mean.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by Echo SSEI
Originally Posted by Technical Ted
While he'* getting dinner (pot roast sounds good) can we clear up a few things.
#1 - I thought Vats wasn't an issue if the starter is turning over the motor. Yes? No? Different years do different things?
#2 - Will the engine start with a bad crank sensor?
#3 - Will the engine start with a bad Cam sensor?
#4 - Should there be dielectric grease under the coils to prevent corrosion?
#1 - I thought Vats wasn't an issue if the starter is turning over the motor. Yes? No? Different years do different things?
#2 - Will the engine start with a bad crank sensor?
#3 - Will the engine start with a bad Cam sensor?
#4 - Should there be dielectric grease under the coils to prevent corrosion?
#2 - It depends on what part of the crank sensor has failed if not both parts... I believe if the 3 x'* reference pulse is there it can start and run, but performance will be poor as well as effiency... We have rarely seen one part of the sensor fail... Usually the issue is intermintent or the crank sensor fails altogether..
#3 - Yes the engine will start with a bad cam sensor, even in the newer cars this is still a cylinder #1 TDC reference so that the PCM can gage the timming accurately to run in SFI mode... The engine will run with reduced effiency and performance
#4 - I have never seen the dilectric greas on any of the 3800 ICM / Coils... On a Quad 4 this is a diffrent story
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere different on the globe every month....

I'm getting hungray. I hope it'* that good Texas beef
Anywho, can the system be reset / would it be recommended to disconnect power for at least 15 mins? He can continue to polk around and look everything over????
Anywho, can the system be reset / would it be recommended to disconnect power for at least 15 mins? He can continue to polk around and look everything over????
Thanks for the additional information. I found a schematic of the ignition system. It looks like we could rule out a vats or fuse problem by seeing if there is power going to the ICM.
James - Vats stands for Vehicle Anti-Theft System. If the ignition switch can't read the proper resistance of the key pellet the car won't start.
Here'* how to check for power going to the ICM.
Unplug the connector at the ICM.
Connect voltmeter or test light between ground and the P terminal of the wiring connector. The schematic shows the P terminal as a pink/blk wire at one end of the connector. The key needs to be in the run position.
If you have power then it sounds like the problem is either the ICM or Crank sensor.
No power will mean Vats, fuse or maybe even the ignition switch is bad.
James - Vats stands for Vehicle Anti-Theft System. If the ignition switch can't read the proper resistance of the key pellet the car won't start.
Here'* how to check for power going to the ICM.
Unplug the connector at the ICM.
Connect voltmeter or test light between ground and the P terminal of the wiring connector. The schematic shows the P terminal as a pink/blk wire at one end of the connector. The key needs to be in the run position.
If you have power then it sounds like the problem is either the ICM or Crank sensor.
No power will mean Vats, fuse or maybe even the ignition switch is bad.
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, Maryland

Originally Posted by james tharp
Bill, I always see you on here. What do you do? Ae you retired. I mean I appriciate the help greatly. Im just wowed by your availability......
His homepage at his job in bonneville club
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall County Texas

I really need to get a voltmeter. Ill get one tommorow. Thanks Tech Ted Ill get on that tommorow. Ive ran out of daylight. Sounds like an easy check. Is there a bolt on the connector to the ICM? It sure looked like one.
Oh thats what VAT means. I wish I didnt have one. Ill post again on this tommorow.
Oh thats what VAT means. I wish I didnt have one. Ill post again on this tommorow.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall County Texas

I had an idea last night while I was sleeping. I have an extra key. I wonder if that would make the difference. Il have to try it in the next hour. Then get my spark plug wires and my volt meter.
:?
:?





