QuestionHello. Well, i was driving my car. I was on an exit turn waiting for traffic to pass, when my car had cut off. I'd tried to restart it, but it wouldn't start. The next day, I had discovered that one of the "metal prongs" on the core pack had broken off, so I replaced it. The car still wouldn't start. On thing that I'd noticed was that there wasn't any fire from the plugs to the core pack (or maybe from the core to the plugs). In addition, i had replaced both crank & camshaft sensors, and it still won't start. Can you please help me in determining what may be the problem with this car?
AnswerHi Shawn,
Fortunately there is an accessible fault code, likely stored in the memory of the engine controller. Use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in less than 5 seconds elapased time. Then watch the check engine light which stays "on" then begins to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the whole process to be sure you have an accurate count of the flashes. Then write back with the results and we'll go from there. Use the "thank/rate" tab to get to me without having to wait for me to be 'available' for a question. There is a space for comments.
On the new sensors, did you push them in far enough for the tips to contact metal surfaces that they are designed to "sense". The paper spacers on the tips are there so that when the surface spins the paper will wear away but leave the sensor close enough to the surface to detect the cut outs as compared to the surface. If you didn't put them in all the way then you may not be getting the signals you need to make the spark.
After you are sure you have an accurate fault code count, disconnect the - post of the battery clamp for a few minutes, then reconnect it, they try to start the car again. Then re-read the codes and see if there are any differences. The codes you read first are "stale' but relevant, while the new readout is up-to-date. Tell me both results.
Roland
