What killed my motor? I think it's fuel-related

[DrewC]

Just acquired an '86 ES and it started like a top. Been gutting it out the last couple days for LeMons prep and now it won't start. I can't hear a fuel pump when I turn the key on.

Are there any safety/security features that could be killing the fuel relay since I've removed the dash, gauge cluster, wheel, etc? I didn't cut any important wires, or so I thought. I want to get this running before I head back to school Sunday.

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

[Lurker27]

bypass the fuel relay to check if that's getting power to the relay, and if the relay is tripping to give power. You'll need a multimeter for this. Bentley's guide is very good.

I don't think any safety features kills the fuel pump but I am not sure (nor am I really informed enough to comment)

I had corrosion in the power line from the relay to the pump and had to run a new wire.

[DrewC]

I decided to pull the plugs and take a look. Plugs are wet, no spark. Tried 2 different plugs, neither one lit up.

What's the best way to hunt that out?

[Lurker27]

Do you have a Bentley manual? They're worth their weight in gold.

It's good that you've eliminated air and fuel, and its on to spark. First thing I'd do is check all the connections thoroughly. Beyond that I don't know the algorithms for testing that system off the top of my head, sorry.

Good luck!

[Kingb]

Crank position sensor. That is exactly what mine did. Like they said use the bently and a multimeter

[DrewC]

Crank position sensor. That is exactly what mine did. Like they said use the bently and a multimeter

I don't have either. I'm home for Thanksgiving and trying to get it fired back up before heading out of town since I don't get back till the 18th (shake-down track day on Jan 4th).

I guess I'll just look up some pics/schematics on the CPS and try and track it down...do you think it died or could be loose/unplugged?

[DCColegrove]

Take a look at your Cap and Rotor...

[DrewC]

Take a look at your Cap and Rotor...

The car fired 2 days ago, I doubt something went bad just sitting.

[DCColegrove]

The car fired 2 days ago, I doubt something went bad just sitting.

Wet plugs no spark...

Just a direction to look... I've seen it more than once or twice.

[DrewC]

Crank position sensor. That is exactly what mine did. Like they said use the bently and a multimeter

I'm going to investigate this more but I was under the impression this didn't effect spark itself. i.e...it messes with timing of the spark and therefore the car won't start but if the CPS is screwy the spark plugs should still light up.

Is this theory flawed?

[SpecM]

I'm going to investigate this more but I was under the impression this didn't effect spark itself. i.e...it messes with timing of the spark and therefore the car won't start but if the CPS is screwy the spark plugs should still light up.

Is this theory flawed?

yes, that is flawed

if the CPS is screwy enough, it will not produce a signal. No signal = no spark

You asked for help, that's fine. But then you shot down two ideas, good ideas, mind you, that you said it can't be (cap/rotor, and CPS), for no reason other than that's not what you "think" it is. Listin to us (exp Colegrove, he knows things), and check the entire ignition system.

[DrewC]

yes, that is flawed

if the CPS is screwy enough, it will not produce a signal. No signal = no spark

You asked for help, that's fine. But then you shot down two ideas, good ideas, mind you, that you said it can't be (cap/rotor, and CPS), for no reason other than that's not what you "think" it is. Listin to us (exp Colegrove, he knows things), and check the entire ignition system.

Didn't discount the CPS. Cap and rotor checked out fine. Here's a bunch of pics I took, someone asked me on another board if I "disconnected 2 green connectors from a large black relay box down by the steering column". Could this be the culprit? (I think what he might be talking about is in the first pic). What would that have done/what's it control?

Thanks for the help guys. I'll post the rest of my pics below in case you spot anything funky.

[Rocco335i]

its the cps mine did the same thing i rewired the cps and it worked fine for a week or so then just shit the bed put in one from my parts car works just fine
ITS THE CPS TRUST US

[DrewC]

its the cps mine did the same thing i rewired the cps and it worked fine for a week or so then just shit the bed put in one from my parts car works just fine
ITS THE CPS TRUST US

It actually turned out to be this little plug with the green wires running into it. It got disconnected while I was gutting the dash and all. I took some pics of all the wiring and someone on another board spotted this out. It runs!!!!! Big relief....