QuestionQUESTION: I just got a 1991 excel manual and was told that it would run and then stop for no reason, but then start again a few hours later. The same thing happened to me first day I drove it. It did not sputter, it ran fine until it just cut out after about 20 min. When I went to re-start next day, the engine light came on for a few seconds when I turned the key but went right out, the car started for a few seconds and then died and would crank, but not start. I removed the coil and had it tested and they said it seemed ok but they did not have one to compare it to in stock. I put it back on and hooked the coil wire up to my meter and according to my dig. meter it is putting out, but then I checked my spark plug #1, and no spark. I have removed the dist. cap and there is no moisture. I'm on my way to get cap, roter and disp. Any other ideas?
ANSWER: Unfortunately, it'd difficult to test your coil without replacement. The best you'll be able to do, if you have the right equipment, is wait until the problem occurs and then check for proper inputs to the coil.
Before installing the cap and rotor, take one of the plug wires and install it on the coil, placing a plug in the other end. Lay the plug on the engine. When cranking, the plug should spark. Presuming the problem was occurring when you ran this test: a sparking plug indicates the problem is between the coil and the plugs while a non-sparking plug indicates a problem with the coil or coil driver.
Possible issues with the coil-driver side of the circuit would include the power transistor, the ECM, the ECM relay, and the optical sensor in the distributor.
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QUESTION: well it was the coil wire. now it starts and will run for anywhere from a few seconds to a few min. I'm in the process of getting a new fuel filter because the last one was installed backwards. When it runs, it runs strong and then sputters out after a few min, then I here a clicking relay type noise behind the dash(which I removed)by the ECM, could it be the fuel pump relay? If its the fuel filter or fuel pump relay could it be the fuel pump pressure regulator? thanks for all your help....
AnswerThe clicking you hear may be from the ECM relay, which also controls the fuel pump. It's possible the relay is bad. But there are many possibilities. When the car stalls and won't restart, presuming the starter still cranks the engine, you'll want to determine whether you have spark and fuel pressure. You may also need to check whether the camshaft timing is correct. The idea is to give you an idea as to what type of problem you have. I will say that it's doubtful the problem is with the fuel pressure regulator.
