I am officially a noob to the site. I have used the site to clear up a few problems on my car so thank you! Quick back story: I picked up a '91 SS about a year and a half ago and have been working out the bugs. The car didn't run for a while because the MAP sensor went on it. These forums helped me get to the right answer. Now I have one that is way above my head. I also bought this car to learn how to work on cars as I have been inept for most of my life. I just didn't realize how many opportunities I would have!
The car has had bouts with cold starts. It would not start randomly, then I would wait a couple minutes and it would start. This has been going on for a few weeks. Fast forward to the last week. I would sometimes have to wait hours before it would start instead of a half minute to a couple of minutes. However I could drive the car for days with it starting perfectly whether it was a cold start or not. The temps have been anywhere between -15 and now today, 50 above. The car even died while driving a few times at low rpm when I would be turning it around or something. It would start again in a minute or two though. Now, it won't start at all.
I changed the coolant temp sensor on it as this seemed to be the go to with any symptoms relative to mine. It was the two wire sensor and not the cluster sensor. The clip did break on it though and it doesn't lock into place. It is still secure though. It seems to be backfiring into the manifold now as well. It will start for about 4 seconds then die the first time I try to start it up each day. Then it reacts as if it wants to fire but I get nothing along with what sounds like mild backfiring. I did get one backfire out of the exhaust while trying to start the other day. Not sure if that is helpful but there it is.
I think this is a good start on the info and I appreciate any help or suggestions. I am hoping to tow it home tomorrow so I can tinker in the driveway. Thank you!
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
Timing belt/cam timing
Fuel pressure
Cam position sensor
Crank position sensor
Ignitor
Those are the common ones for a no-start condition. TPS, IAC and ECT wil usually not effect starting, just effect how it runs/idles. Also check for any vacuum/intake tract leaks.
'93 Winestone SS Auto, '91 Pearl White SS.
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
It sounds like you have some funky timing going on, pull the covers off and check the belt and pulleys. See how tight the belt feels as well. Have you done plugs/wires recently as well?
the guy who had the really low winestone SS on the corvette wheels
rally, I do have a new MAF that I put on and that didn't cure the issue. I forgot to add that info into my initial thread.
I have replaced many of the vacuum hoses recently and installed a boost gauge to monitor the system after the MAP went as I had some scary stuff going on before I figured out the problem. I was at 19 at idle and boost levels were all normal up until the last time it wouldn't start so I think those are good. I will check through again though.
Plugs and wires are also pretty recent changes as of last fall. I am running NGK iridiums and Import Direct wires.
I will get the car home and peel the timing covers off and have a look. I am without a garage and have ice and water as my floor right now so I may not get to it until the weekend. I do have a Haynes manual and will reference this for the timing marks and such after checking belt tension and pulleys.
The ignitor is interesting because I just saw a picture of where stock mounting location is and I know it is not mounted there. With that said, I will find out where it is. Possible that it is gunked up if in a bad position?
This is a great start. I will keep the thread posted as I make progress. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!
Out of curiosity, if it is a timing jump, what are some things that would cause this? The previous owner had said the belt was done within the past two years or so before I purchased it and the car sat for most of it.
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
Just-rust, I doubt it's your problem, but these cars run the best on NGK V-Power copper tops. The copper conductors are 3 times more conductive than iridium http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=634
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am
Wait....I'm confused now.
Looks like I wasted my money on plugs! I will get a set of those V-Power copper tops and swap them out. Thanks for the heads up!
I am not sure if this would have any impact on my current problems, but I also just swapped a stock exhaust set-up out for a 3" Invidia DP run into a 3" high flow cat that then runs into a 2.5" pipe with no muffler. Probably coincidence, but these issues arose after this swap. Not right away though.
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
IIRC, the crank position sensor in the cam position sensor connectors are close to the exhaust at that point and might have been compromised or damaged when you change the downpipe.
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'93 Winestone SS Auto, '91 Pearl White SS.
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
I finally got the car home! Quick update on the starting issue. I tried starting it as it was really warm today. Didn't expect anything and it started and ran for a bit. I hit the gas to rev it and it jumped up but stalled after I took my foot off of the pedal. Everything sounded normal. Probably not any news that will help diagnosis but figured I'd share. Then I wondered if I should even try starting it anymore if it turns out to be a timing issue. Should I just be checking stuff out and not worry about turning it over anymore?
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
Well obviously the car is running like crap. You don't need to keep starting it if you haven't done anything new to it, it's still gonna run like crap. But, if you check some things or change something, then start it to see if it's still not running well. If it's off time a bit, it's not going to damage anything. But that's the first thing you should check.
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the guy who had the really low winestone SS on the corvette wheels
Ha! Yeah. I get a bit anxious about this but mainly because it is my DD and it sucks having it out right now. I will tear into it a bit this weekend and post what I find. Thanks for the help so far!
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
The car does crank over and would start for up to about 4 seconds then die off the first time the key was turned. After that it acts as if it will fire but never does. It was doing the no start for periods of time (From minutes to hours) and then starting and driving fine for days. It hasn't started for about 2 weeks now.
I did just check the codes and I have 23 and 45. I think 45 is residual from when my MAP went as I never reset the ECU.
23 then brings the MAF back into play. I have a new MAF that I swapped on and it didn't clear up the problem. I pulled the MAF and there is nothing getting through the filter as far as I can tell, and crudding up the sensor. I have a cone filter with a heat shield so it does see some spray and grime from the road. The only time the light has come on since the MAP problem, was when I was at low speed and I catch the car before it dies in 1st or 2nd. The light will flicker on momentarily. Not sure if this is why the 23 is coming up or not. I will try to figure out how to test the harness to see where the readings come in. I am sure this is outlined in a thread somewhere.
I don't officially know how to check timing but I pulled the drivers side cover and the belt has good tension and is not broken. This is going to have to be a good start for me. I will search around and see if I can find out how to check the timing as well. Here is a pic:
Please bear with me as this is new territory.
Thanks Josh, for the response and links!
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
I replaced the fuel filter at the beginning of the winter I believe. It wasn't very long ago. My fuel lines coming off of the filter are cracked but not leaking. I will replace those. I had just replaced them about a year ago too.
Actually, you jogged my memory. This might be a shot in the dark, but two of the studs on one of the caps on the tank had broken off before it was installed. I wonder if that seal is broken somehow and I am losing pressure at the tank. Being a noob, I should ask, does the tank keep pressure? I also replaced my back seat not too long ago and may have messed something up. I will check these areas and see if something is awry. These issues came up right after I replaced the seat. Could be coincidence, I suppose, but not a bad place to look.
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
I agree I think checking fuel pressure would be a prudent idea. You can also check the fuel pump wiring under the rear passenger side seat. The connector can sometimes become bad and resistance build up, which will cause the fuel pump to not work or not work properly.
What studs are you talking about? The fmetal plate that covers the fuel pump?
The tank does not operate on tank pressure. Newer cars may throw a code for an evap leak, but I don't think our can cars see anything like that.
I would pull that plate off and look at the fuel pump, make sure everything looks kosher. Check the lines and and make sure everything looks OK. Also check the connectors, like Josh said.
the guy who had the really low winestone SS on the corvette wheels
Cool. Thanks guys! I have a buddy who is pretty well versed with this stuff and he is going to help me with the checks on the fuel system. I am thinking of just upgrading the fuel pump since I am going to be in there. It looks like I want the GSS341 pump with adapter kit 400-791 like you had stated, Josh, in a different thread. I am not sure what is original on this car . It has 225,000 miles on it. If the fuel pump is original, it might just be time anyhow.
Thanks again! I will post up when I find out more.
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
Oh, and yes, the studs on the metal plate at the top of the tank busted. I can't remember which side though. I grabbed a junkyard tank and the nuts were rusted on pretty bad. When pulling the plates off I broke two studs. I can't remember which side they broke off on. I feel like it was the fuel pump side though. I raised concern about this because the guy that put it in seemed concerned about the seal with the two studs broken.
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
Quick update. My car is in the driveway idling away right now! Sweeeeet! I found some time and replaced the fuel pump tonight. I fired it up after the install and it ran for about 5 minutes then died. Turns out it was actually a corroded pin on the fuel pump harness. I greased it up, plugged it back in and now everything is running perfectly. It actually had a Jecs pump in it. Not sure if that would have been bad yet as I am sure it was a recent mod. The guy before me was a Subaru guy and I am guessing he put it in. I am glad I changed out the pump though, just for the experience!
Thanks again for all of your help! Now I have to drive. It's been a long time!
Rusty 1991 EJ22T - VF28 - '07 wrx TMIC - MBC - Invidia DP - Walbro 255 SOLD
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, with some neat stuff on it
