MX-3.com

Car: 1996 GS

So, one morning, about two weeks ago, my car just wouldn't start. First thing I did was loosen the fuel line from the end of the fuel rail, and turned over the engine. Fuel spewed everywhere. So fuel isn't the problem.

Then I purchased the GM HEI module. Did an install as per this drawing;



The car did not start. So I figured the next step was to get an external coil.

I have installed the picture as per this drawing;



Still did not start.


Now, before we go on to the possibility of it being vacuum, I have yet to test for spark since completely installing the HEI mod with External Coil.

So now on to the questions I had while doing the installation.

1. During the install, and looking at the pics in the multiple how-to's, I found some pictures that conflicted each other.

Compare these two;



In the one pic, it says to ground the HEI from post W to the wire that is cut from the longer plug. Where the other drawing doesn't

How much of a difference does that make? Which drawing is correct?

Secondly, looking at either diagram, the wires on my three wire plug, were in a different order than the drawing. Does that matter, just as long as I hook the wires up to the colour I am told?

And finally, the reason I didn't test fo spark, was it is too freakin cold out. I will try that tomorrow when I get home from work. Should I not see a spark, then I know that I must have hooked something up wrong.

Any and all help is much appreciated. I just want to get the car running.

It looks like the Probe diagram pic is grounded by the a ground wire from the harness. I think I did the same. We do need to know if you have spark, and if not, where the spark dies along the way.

So, just tried a few things.

Yes I do have spark. When trying to start it, it turned over and over, and randomly would sound like it's about to start, but would keep turning over.

I pulled a couple plugs out, saturated in fuel. So I am leaving it sit, probably flooded.

So I know I have fuel still, from the soaked plugs, and I know I have spark.

I am thinking either timing (only because it would sound like it randomly wants to start) or vacuum.

Your thoughts?

So I waited. No start. Turns over like a champ though.

do you have a CEL or an OBDII code reader?

How can you have fuel and spark but no start? The spark would be burning the fuel which in turn would start the engine. Have you tried a new set of plugs?

RS_OBD'oh_2 wrote:do you have a CEL or an OBDII code reader?

Good point! His CEL is burnt out so he might have a code.

I can have spark, and I can have fuel. Then the third thing is vacuum.

3 primary things why a vehicle won't start to my understanding is fuel, spark, vacuum.

What kind of OBDII reader do I need?

Does anyone close by have a timing light?

Also, I have taken the distributor apart twice since it wouldn't start. Both times I tried my 110% best to put everything back exactly as I took it apart. maybe I messed something up there.

To my knowledge when you're trying to start a car vacuum is one of the minor things. The fuel would be burned regardless of vacuum if you have spark and fuel. And I have a timing light.

_-Night-Shade-_ wrote:To my knowledge when you're trying to start a car vacuum is one of the minor things. The fuel would be burned regardless of vacuum if you have spark and fuel. And I have a timing light.

Holy crap, is there something you don't have?

Did you make sure ALL of your plugs are firing?

MX3-4U2NV wrote:

_-Night-Shade-_ wrote:To my knowledge when you're trying to start a car vacuum is one of the minor things. The fuel would be burned regardless of vacuum if you have spark and fuel. And I have a timing light.

Holy crap, is there something you don't have?

Until recently, a Domokun...

Flyer wrote:

MX3-4U2NV wrote:

_-Night-Shade-_ wrote:To my knowledge when you're trying to start a car vacuum is one of the minor things. The fuel would be burned regardless of vacuum if you have spark and fuel. And I have a timing light.

Holy crap, is there something you don't have?

Until recently, a Domokun...

Some rare parts would be nice

Check your timing belt tensioner. If thats given up the ghost.. your valve timing would be way off. Easier check than tearing down your entire timing belt cover would be to do a compression check.. if you have really low numbers.. you can figure that the cylinders arent building proper compression prior to fuel ignition or that the spark is occurring while the pistons are on their way back down. If you have fuel and spark.. the only thing that will prevent it from running is always timing I did a write up thats around here somewhere on how to install a timing belt on the V6.. pics and all. The tensioners are a PITA to install if you have to reuse one.. but I would recommend getting a new one if that is indeed the issue. Hope this helps.

Tunes67