Hi All

I'm working on a buddies 97 Intrepid. He drove home last night, parked the car, and now it will not start. Cranks good. I checked for spark while cranking and get one or two good pulses before there is a small intake backfire and then no more spark.

An OBD check, via the on-off-on-off-on method, came back with code 55 which means there are no logged errors. I'm a bit stumped.

FWIW I changed out the timing belt about six months ago and the car had been running well until this morning.

All input appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Check for fuel pressure at the rail, the ASD may be your problem (will shut down either or both spark and fuel). Can also try disconnecting the MAP sensor and try to start (will use a default value if off). If it's sticking, you also w/n get an engine code, just no start (this one took me a while when mine went bad!!)

 

Kurt

Thanks for the leads! I'll check it out and report back.

 

Also, do the key trick for the engine code. An OBD II reader w/n catch all faults on a 97. eg key trick can reveal code 42 for " no ASD output voltage at PCM"; this will NOT give an angine light, or a scan tool code!! A code 11 for "No crank signal at PCM (bad crank sensor)) will also NOT flag the engine light, nor give a OBD II scan code (aka P0... code). Both these faults will keep the car from starting.

BTW the correct name for the key trick code is a MIL code. It stands for "Malfunction Indicator Lamp"

 

OK I've got fuel at the rail while cranking (no gauge, just a screwdriver on the schraeder valve test). I also swapped the ASD relay and disconnected the MAP sensor ... still have a "so start" situation.

The OBD code is 55 (no problems)

 

OK, if you are getting a spark, I'd say your belt slipped. Did you change the tensioner (and water pump just because your there)?

You may also have a wire problem. See if you are getting voltage to pin 1 (any) of a fuel injector.

BTW, when you disconected the MAP and tried to start, you should have gotten a MAP fail. Did you get it and clear it, or did it not get a fail?

 

what engine do you have? could be a crank or cam sensor. make sure all the wiring on those sensors are good and that the connectors are plugged in tight.

 

I agree a Crank sensor will not cause a light, but saylor siad only a 55 MIL code (no 11) so I don't think the crank. As for the CAM, I think that will always trip a light (and a code). I was trying to look for faults that don't trip a code.

 

I had a similar problem with my '94 Intrepid 3.3L. It was the crank sensor. The Haynes Manual has a good way to check the crank sensor. They are easy to replace. Mine only cost about $50.00 Took about 5 minutes to replace. The only code I was getting was 55.

 

I have a 94 with the 3.5 doing the same thing will not start. But I believe mine to be the EGR Valve as I have been unplugging it and replugging it for the last month to get the car to start. So if this is the first time it has happened try the unplug and replug who knows


Don