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If your car don't start, learn from my hard lesson

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Old Apr 29, 2004 | 10:46 PM
  #1  
lopedl's Avatar
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Arrow If your car don't start, learn from my hard lesson

It's been a few months now since I bought the car used and not in running form w/ absolutely no details, and until today I could not get the car to throw out a spark. I tried litterly everything possible replaced ignitors, tested coil packs, damn near replaced the ecu, and also the CAS's.

But keep in mind I wasn't in a big hurry because I wanted to learn alot about this car and thanks to this awesome domain, and suggestions of the members, I was able to learn a lot. The only problem I may have had as far as the car sitting is carbon build up I imagine. Which I'm considering on throwing some ATF in there.

Well on to the problem. After ripping the engine apart, guess what it was? A friggen kill switch hidden deep in the dash, that tied directly into the alarm and directly, I repeat directly prevented the coils from throwing a spark unless pushed on. So for anyone whoever has a problem with there coils not thowing out a spark, I can guarntee you it can be do to an alarm. Now I do believe the fd came with an alarm from the factory, whether the one in my car is the same I don't know, could possibly be aftermarket. But I tell you what gettin shocked by the coils was the best shock I have gotten in a long time .

Anyhow to make a long story short. This switch has created several problems, but also several good lessons.

Let me start with the negative- after taking the engine apart I am now going to have to figure out the vacuum hoses, and the diagram that floats around here is about as confusing as a terd with peanuts, as some hoses got mixed up in the process, a few green check valves were broken, the turbo and precontroller silinoeds had to be jimmy rigged, because the harnesses broke off, so I am replacing it, but I am definetly not chancing that, other harness broken.

The positive, I was able to learn a lot about the car, replaced the old vaccum hoses out for new, polished and cleaned up the engine bay.


My digi cam sucks so your not getting the fool benefit of it in person. But believe me I can see a booger in my nose off the reflection.




Anyhow thanks for anyone involved with helping me out. My adventure still not over yet, so I may be asking for more help in the future.
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Old Apr 29, 2004 | 11:04 PM
  #2  
TracyRX7's Avatar
FD = Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
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From: San Antonio, TX
Damn on that one. I hate electrical crud. The manifold and elbow look nice though and as long as you're not in a hurry its good to go through and get all that stuff done
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Old Apr 29, 2004 | 11:11 PM
  #3  
4Fun's Avatar
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From: All Hope is Lost
Looks nice!!!
Its amazing how fragile the hoses and check valves are!
Good luck on the rest of the work.
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
jdhuegel1's Avatar
Glug Glug Glug Burp
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From: Scott AFB, IL
You'd have been more pissed off to find that the negative ground cable wasn't tight enough.. Don't ask me how it works but swear to god if the cable is loose, the starter will still turn but the damn injectors will not fire..
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 11:45 AM
  #5  
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From: Eugene, OR, usa
If the ECU isn't plugged in the car won't start either. Don't want to ask me how I know that one.
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 11:48 AM
  #6  
scratchjunkie's Avatar
sexy no jutsu
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From: planet arium
loped i bet you kicked yourself in the head for that one.

scratch's lesson:
unplug battery or you might fry your main fuse.
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 12:20 PM
  #7  
lopedl's Avatar
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Yeah I was about to hang myself for that one guys, but you know what I'm just to happy it works. You know like the saying goes fix it till it breaks, lol.
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 12:22 PM
  #8  
lopedl's Avatar
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Originally posted by turbojeff
If the ECU isn't plugged in the car won't start either. Don't want to ask me how I know that one.
I'm afraid to ask...
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Old Apr 30, 2004 | 12:23 PM
  #9  
lopedl's Avatar
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From: WA
BTW, mazda those suckers tried to use plastic wherever possible...
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