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1997 3.9L crank no start condition has me stumped

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  #11  
Old 12-07-2018, 11:20 AM
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If you are getting spark, and injector pulse, then the cam/crank sensors are doing their job.

You need to check and see what temp the PCM thinks the engine is. The PCM has no idea if the information the sensor is giving it is accurate or not, so, need to check it.
 
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Old 12-07-2018, 11:46 AM
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How do I check to see what temp the pcm thinks it's at? My scanner is a Innova 3100i model.

Just took compression readings and this is what I got:

Cyl 1 - 90psi
Cyl 2 - 120psi
cyl 3 - 102psi
Cyl 4 - 125psi
Cyl 5 - 100psi
cyl 6 - 125psi
 
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Old 12-07-2018, 11:51 AM
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Also plugs are due for a change, nothing crazy I saw with the plugs to say they're the culprit either. Injectors definitely firing as you can see gas coming out of the spark plugs and holes when plugs are out.
 
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Old 12-07-2018, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by mdilly
How do I check to see what temp the pcm thinks it's at? My scanner is a Innova 3100i model.

Just took compression readings and this is what I got:

Cyl 1 - 90psi
Cyl 2 - 120psi
cyl 3 - 102psi
Cyl 4 - 125psi
Cyl 5 - 100psi
cyl 6 - 125psi
Cylinder 1 is low. Minimum spec is 100 psi.

As for your code reader, I don't know if it will show real-time data or not. If it will, there should be an option for it somewhere in the nesting menus.
 
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Old 12-07-2018, 11:55 AM
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Dashboard shows temp as cold, my scanner doesn't have a function to see what the computer thinks the temp is
 
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Old 12-07-2018, 12:10 PM
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Would 1 low cylinder cause a no start condition?
 
  #17  
Old 12-08-2018, 09:00 AM
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Probably not.

Question becomes, how cold? Can you beg/borrow/rent a better scanner that will show data?
 
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Old 12-14-2018, 01:49 PM
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I will try and see if I can get my hands on a better scanner.

Just an update, put on new plug wires and cleaned the plugs and checked the gap, they we're out a bit so I tightened the gap up to spec. Now I'm getting the truck to hiccup, it wants to catch but just can't quite get there which is more than it was doing before so I'm hopeful. I'm thinking it's gotta be the ignition system and not fuel related as spraying starting fluid in the throttle body made no difference in the hiccups while cranking. Could the coil be giving out weak current? As in the spark isn't strong enough to ignite the fuel? Since the wires and plugs are the only things I messed with to get it to start hiccuping I feel like there isn't strong enough spark. Thoughts?
 
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Old 12-14-2018, 02:04 PM
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You may be on to something with the engine temp though as when I stomp the pedal is when it hiccups and almost starts, what would cause that issue if it is the computer feeding too much fuel?
 
  #20  
Old 12-14-2018, 09:19 PM
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Have you verified cranking spark by pulling a plug wire and grounding an old spark plug while cranking? Do you have a noid light to verify injectors actuating?

What is the actual better voltage while cranking? If it's under 10.5 or so, you will get either spark or fuel, but not both. If it's under 10.0 you'll get neither. JTEC is very voltage sensitive. Almost too sensitive.

Most scanners have a live data feed, surprised yours doesn't. There are a couple different cold start fuel curves based on temperature. If it reads cold, it could be too rich to start, if it reads hot, not enough fuel to spark.
 


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