I was gifted this vehicle and it sat in the woods for 5 years. Replaced fuel tank, pump, cleared lines, fuel filter, changed oil and filter, replaced radiator, cap, rotor, fogged cylinders, new plugs, new starter, new fuel pump relay, oil sensor module, injectors, fuel regulator and distributor. Got it running and the new fuel pump failed. Replaced fuel pump and idled great for 5 minutes. Decided to go get fuel and it died at the gas station. Put in 10 gallons and no start. Fuel is coming out of injectors. Towed it home and the next day it starts. Ideals fine, drive about 3 miles and it dies again and won’t start. Tow it home and the next day it starts. The service engine soon light is on. I check for a code and only get 12. Please help as I am out of ideas other than replacing all the modules like O2, etc..

 

A 88 won't show many codes esp. if your jumping test plug terminals - Are you getting spark when you have the no start?

 

I didn’t check for spark when it wouldn’t start. I assumed it was an ignition issue. The only thing I didn’t replace was the coil. I was going to go ahead and order a new coil but figured I would check the codes and order any failed modules. The check engine light stays on and if I remove the battery and reinstall the light is still on. I don’t realy want to drive it around until it dies again but I will check for spark at that time but I assume something is restricting the spark since it’s getting fuel. What will be gained in confirming no spark at that point? I’m not sure the coolant temp sensor is working properly for example. I don’t know if there is a correlation to that after a few miles of drive time for example. The oil pressure gauge doesn’t seem accurate either. I don’t know what the ECM is monitoring and under what condition it would impede spark.

 

When NS happens check for spark, a fuel pressure check at that time wouldn't hurt

 

Ok so let’s assume there is no spark at that moment. Now what?

 

Check the ICM { ignition control module } and coil along with wiring and connections to them - My bets ICM .....

 

Are you talking about the one under the distributor? That is new. I wouldn't be too surprised after I only got about 2 miles out of a new fuel pump.

 

You may want to check the engine wiring harness - some critter may have damaged it during the 5 years it sat in the woods.

The problem you describe reminds me of an 89 S10 that I used to have. Periodically over the 5 years I drove it, it would die while on the road and refuse to fire. Had fuel spraying out of injector and spark at the spark plug. Let it sit for 30 min and it would start and run fine for several months - then do it again - leave me sitting along the road for 30 minutes. I tried everything I could think of during the first 4 years I drove it, as it always seemed to happen at the worst time (when I had to be somewhere on time). Finally I went to the junkyard, robbed a complete engine wiring harness all the way to the ECM, and switched it out. Never had that problem again during year 5. Something with the wiring harness..... or something I disturbed when changing out the wiring harness. You could try manipulating different parts of your harness when it doesn't start (but know that never worked for me). Good luck!

 

Thanks Les, I did a visual inspection of the wiring and I didn't find any chewing or nesting in the vehicle, there were some hornet nests.

This problem is tough to troubleshoot when it isn't happening. I think I am going to have to drive it until it quits and begin troubleshooting from there.

I know chasing wiring issues or grounding issues can be a big challenge. I have installed some painless wiring harnesses and I feel they should be called semi-painful wiring harnesses.

I was hoping someone had experienced this problem and could provide details, maybe something like, when module X reaches temp, it can create this intermittent condition.

 

What does moved mean?