Won't crank, engine spins?

larril · 08-18-2011, 07:08 PM

Sooo, if the ecu knows the cps, is off... it won't send a signals to the injectors? Or... it's just off and not firing at the right time?

Sounds like a dumb, question... had a similar problem with a Chrysler LHS, famous for dropping a timing belt when the water pump croaks... If the cams and crank aren’t in sequence… the computer wouldn’t let the sparks fly… no fire to plugs…

One time…, same scenario… shuts down, no fire… I went ahead and bought the water pump, and new timing belt…. Took all the covers off…. Belt and timing were all good. Turned out the crank sensor (pickup) had gone bad… replaced it… back in business.

Back to ’88 7mge, tried typing a short how did I get here twice, apparently my log in timed out, and when I tried to post or submit… lost it all.

Third and last try…

My nephew, slung a rod out the side… I ended up with it. Red 88 targa top, automatic, original everything… Swapped out the motor with one off ebay… worked fine. Put a lot of little new stuff, water pump, radiator, plugs, plug wires, intake, exhaust gaskets… new radiator hoses, and all but one heater hoses… (see below) window switches, fog lamps with original equipment, wiper and turn indicator column assembly… Almost like new… only 22 years old.

Daughter took it off to college. A yoyo, tried to make a right turn from the left hand turn lane across the two straight lanes… she ripped the right side off a Chevy aveo… Only had to replace the left fender, running lights, straighten the bumper under the facia/ apron… straighten the left headlight to clear for up/down… Back on the road…, till a little leak in a heater hose… short piece I din't change teh first time..., and waiting too long to get off the road, had me taking the head off the first engine…, straighten, machine… rebuilt, installed on the ebay engine.

Life was good, few months… then started having problems, starting… mind of it’s own. I went and drove it 3 hours home…, ran like it was starving for gas. When I accelerated, it smooth right out… then back to rough…

Went to a shop in town to make a schedule…, got ready to leave… wouldn’t crank. He put a light probe in the back of the fuel injectors… said they weren’t getting a signal.. Came back later same day, cranked and took it home… its sat there for 12-14 months… Sent my daughter back to school with a 2003 passat.

I need it for daily driver for next daughter… but I got to have better success this time. I appreciate what it is… powerful, great handling, little 20+ year old car…

Back to current subject… could the ecu know its out of time… or just far off enough to get no fire…?
If that’s it…, I’ll be glad, nobody here knows anymore about me than this… I’ll slink away, and keep my mouth shut, and not show my red face anymore.

Factory LSD... ???

08-18-2011, 07:08 PM	#6
larril Stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brewton, AL Posts: 5	Sooo, if the ecu knows the cps, is off... it won't send a signals to the injectors? Or... it's just off and not firing at the right time? Sounds like a dumb, question... had a similar problem with a Chrysler LHS, famous for dropping a timing belt when the water pump croaks... If the cams and crank aren’t in sequence… the computer wouldn’t let the sparks fly… no fire to plugs… One time…, same scenario… shuts down, no fire… I went ahead and bought the water pump, and new timing belt…. Took all the covers off…. Belt and timing were all good. Turned out the crank sensor (pickup) had gone bad… replaced it… back in business. Back to ’88 7mge, tried typing a short how did I get here twice, apparently my log in timed out, and when I tried to post or submit… lost it all. Third and last try… My nephew, slung a rod out the side… I ended up with it. Red 88 targa top, automatic, original everything… Swapped out the motor with one off ebay… worked fine. Put a lot of little new stuff, water pump, radiator, plugs, plug wires, intake, exhaust gaskets… new radiator hoses, and all but one heater hoses… (see below) window switches, fog lamps with original equipment, wiper and turn indicator column assembly… Almost like new… only 22 years old. Daughter took it off to college. A yoyo, tried to make a right turn from the left hand turn lane across the two straight lanes… she ripped the right side off a Chevy aveo… Only had to replace the left fender, running lights, straighten the bumper under the facia/ apron… straighten the left headlight to clear for up/down… Back on the road…, till a little leak in a heater hose… short piece I din't change teh first time..., and waiting too long to get off the road, had me taking the head off the first engine…, straighten, machine… rebuilt, installed on the ebay engine. Life was good, few months… then started having problems, starting… mind of it’s own. I went and drove it 3 hours home…, ran like it was starving for gas. When I accelerated, it smooth right out… then back to rough… Went to a shop in town to make a schedule…, got ready to leave… wouldn’t crank. He put a light probe in the back of the fuel injectors… said they weren’t getting a signal.. Came back later same day, cranked and took it home… its sat there for 12-14 months… Sent my daughter back to school with a 2003 passat. I need it for daily driver for next daughter… but I got to have better success this time. I appreciate what it is… powerful, great handling, little 20+ year old car… Back to current subject… could the ecu know its out of time… or just far off enough to get no fire…? If that’s it…, I’ll be glad, nobody here knows anymore about me than this… I’ll slink away, and keep my mouth shut, and not show my red face anymore. Factory LSD... ??? Last edited by larril; 08-18-2011 at 07:10 PM.