QuestionQUESTION: My 97 Cirrus (2.5L, 120k miles) has had a sporadic problem of not starting over the past year, usually in a cold/cool start condition. It will turn over with enthusiasm, but engine will not respond. Usually after waiting 10 to 30 mins, it will fire up flawlessly. However, today it has not started after 24hrs. No check engine codes have been associated with the no-start situation in the past. I tried disconnecting negative battery terminal in hopes of "resetting" any electrical components.
ANSWER: Have you tried the on-off-on-off-on and leave on with the ignition key doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time, then count the check engine flashes? Have you checked the resistance of the coolant temp sensor which should be around 7,000-10,000 ohms when cold? Are you getting spark when you are cranking it? Do you hear the fuel pump run for about a second when you turn the key to the 'run' position?
Let me know what you learn or what codes exist.
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QUESTION: Fuel pump runs; check engine code readout is 1-2-5-5; don't have diagnostics for spark or ohm (but could get later). Update: car started later today once weather cleared, it had been drizzly/high humidity, which is when I've had more problems (but not always, even occasionally on hot afternoon after engine cooled off--but definitely more problems with morning starts).
ANSWER: Hi Rick,
The codes are unremarkable (12=battery disconnected recently, 55=code readout completed).
The humidity issue is relevant. It could be that your spark plug wires are leaking voltage to hearby metal parts due to fatigue. To evaluate that possibility, open the hood when the engine is running on a humid evening in a dark area and observe for electical arcing to be occuring along all of the distributor to spark plug wires. If you see such arcing then I would replace the spark wires. Otherwise we need a code for anyother actions to be worthwhile.
To check for spark when it won't start, just pull the cap off a spark plug, insert the tip of an insulated handle screwdrive in the cap so as to touch the connector deep inside, then hold the cap and screwdriver together and place the shaft of the screwdriver about 1/4" away from the cylinder head while a helper tries the starter. Observe for an arc to jump between the shaft and the head.
Roland
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QUESTION: Cirrus did not start again this a.m. (intermittent condition definitely worsening), after starting yesterday mid-day. Pulled plug wire and indicated no spark present.
AnswerHi Rick,
Still no codes, other than 12 and 55?
Have you tested the distributor rotor for measureable resistance between the tip and the rotor button?
Is there 12v on the single wire of the 2-pin plug at the distributor when the engine is being cranked over?
You either have to have a fault code, and if not then do some electrical measurements to solve this.
Roland
