Well she started up again this morning, which is frustrating me more than it sitting and not doing anything because now I really have no idea what the problem is.

Maybe I'll replace the crank shaft sensor... is there anyway to test for a faulty coil pack?

this car is starting to drive me insane

edit:
I take that back, it seems as though I (through all of you) now have a pretty good idea of what the problem is. If I had the finances to change out all the possible faulty parts then I'd do so, but I've got to get it narrowed down a bit (or get a better paying job :P )

when I went to goto work, the car wouldn't start again... I'm going to replace the crank sensor and hope that'* it...
Anyway, thank you all so much for the help... I'll let you guys know what happens.

Hey folks, it'* me again

Anyway, I picked up a new crankshaft sensor from Napa today, and tried to install it... but I've ran into a slight problem and being as I'm just starting to discover my mechanical abilities (or lack there of) it'* turned into a bigger problem.

The Haynes manual says to remove vibration damp by taking off the front passenger wheel, and the splash guard, which is no problem, I got the drive belt out of the way and the next step as I understand it is to remove the bellhousing around the crankshaft...

Now, please don't laugh at me here, I ask in all honesty and ignorance:
How the heck do I keep the housing from turning while attempting to remove the nut? Is there somekind of mechanic'* secret to doing this? Or do I just need to get someone to hold it somehow?

Thanks!

Pull off the flywheel cover on the other end of the motor, and have someone hold a big flatheaded screwdriver in the teeth of the flywheel, against the block. And tell them not to mess up the sealing surface.


BTW, I've never gotten a harmonic Balancer (the part you're taking off) off with out at least a 3ft cheater bar or an impact.

Thanks for the quick reply.
It'* going to have to wait until tomorrow afternoon.

I really hope this does the trick.

Sledge hammer

( carefull around the motor lol)

j/k!!! You'll need some work/friends to do it for sure.

I heard about major problems trying to get the balancer off and a special tool
needed to position the new sensor so I gladly paid the dealer 1 hr labor to do
my SSE when the sensor wen't bad.

This is something I'm going to consider, I'm currently working around the sensor hoping that the problem lies somewhere else... But without an error code, the best I can do is keep my fingers crossed.