Hey guys,

Recently I've been tearing down the suspension on my 86' hatch, and she's been sitting for awhile.

A month or so ago I decided to pressure wash the bay to help try and identify leaks.

I covered and plastic wrapped everything but the alternator and starter.

It initially ran for awhile, but stopped running and wouldn't want to start again.

I took off the middle valve cover and found some standing water in the plugs (one of the valve screws was missing). I took compressed air and cleaned it out and made sure to order new plugs and wires.

I'm trying to figure out why she won't start. The battery has 12v DC, all the dash lights come on, fuel pump whines, and I don't hear clicking, but when I try to turn her over she won't even try to catch.

So even though there was standing water and interference in the spark, wouldn't it still try to crank?

Thanks guys, and happy new year.

Ian

What's an ae88? J/k....take one of your plugs out and leave it connected....crank it and see if it makes a spark....don't hold it in your hands while doing this. If no spark.....you may have damaged your coil or ignitor box that's mounted on the coil.....also before any of this...check your fuses particularly ones that have to do with ignition.

LOL, thanks notnilc20, I only go by chassis vin no matter how cool people try to sound

So I think I'm familiar with what you're getting at; you're saying go down all 4 sparks one at a time and see who isn't happy?

If that's the case, I've already cleaned out everything and put new NGK Iridiums in there.. wires coming soon..

What I was gonna do to check the coil/ignitor, was to remove the wire on the disty side and have someone hold it to a ground and crank it.. I think if I see spark then I know that the ignitor is good?

I'll check the fuses, are these all in the engine bay? I don't have fuse box decal

No, there is a fuse box on the driver side kick panel. You'll want to check the top row 3rd over, it's a 7.5amp for ignition. From there go 2 down and you'll see two 30 amp fuses side by side...check those too.

Nah, those are all good. Guess I'll have to start at the coil and break out the FSM. I've had to trouble shoot one on a 94 OBD1 Protege So I'm sure it's similar.

Anyone got the FSM page handy?

Did you check to see if you were getting spark to your plugs?

No, was too busy with other stuff..

I'll probably do it tomorrow but it'll be a rough day.

This feels like one of those
'I already think I know the answer, you waste hours of your time trying to second guess it and when you work it out I'll ignore you' types of threads.....

Lol no I'm open to opinions, you guys are a smart bunch..

And I always give closure in these types of threads. I hate when the OP just doesn't reply and the solution is up in the air

Valve covers are getting powder coated so It'll be a bit

NGK wires should be coming today. They come with a new ignitor wire. Anyone have the FSM page for using a multimeter and reading current/resistance across the ignitor? I can't find it in mine.

Go here to download the manuals.....big help.

http://www.aeu86.org/technical/ae86-manuals/

so I was expecting a thread about it not turning over, but it DOES crank, just not fire.

I didn't see yet where you verified if you were getting spark at a plug or not. You verified the fuel pump turns on; have you verified that the injectors are spraying fuel? both fuel and spark are needed to create fire.

Pressure washers are strong, they can push things around, and un-hook wire connectors., maybe un-hook a vacuum hose to a fuel pressure regulator, push a ground connector for the injectors off... double-check all of your fuel system and ignition system connectors to make sure they're tight, make sure everything's plugged in where it's supposed to be.

Until that part is done, it's nothing but guessing.

Oh, and I recognize your name from CP, welcome.


--sarge

Hey Sarge, nice to see you again.

It's not cranking at all, not even attempting to crank; I don't hear the "wir wir wir" before catching fire and turning over.

I think I might have either shorted out the starter, or something along the path of spark (spark plug to igniter).

I haven't been updating the thread because I've been doing other things in the engine bay, and everything isn't hooked up.

I'll pick back up once I get the valve covers, rocker, and intake together again.

I have the FSM, I just can't find when you test the igniter itself..

Thanks guys.

Ignore the ignitor until you have got the starter to work. Might just be that the ignition wire has come off of the starter motor.

Oh i thought (assumed) it was turning over. Yes...gotta get that thing cranking first.

it's all good notnilc, and yeah totta, I'm gonna check the starter first.

totta whatcha mean by the ignition wire might have to come off?

On the back of the starter motor is a big wire that is connected to the battery there is also a smaller wire with a push on connector that goes to the ignition switch.
Have a good look around to see if the smaller wire is actually connected.

Ok will do, Too cold right now :/