i have a 92 r/t that my son and i installed a 91-92 jdm motor/trans (56k)combo into, we installed a new complete timing belt kit, plugs/wires and a new(used) ecu. the car won't start, it fires but won't start! timing is dead on, cam phasing is good, heads are good(no bent valves), correct 92 wiring harness, spark is good. whats the problem?? i thought jdm engines were a direct replacement. can anyone help?? we need this car running asap! thanks! desperate

 

well, it gets spark, but does it get any fuel?

 

yes it has the proper fuel pressure, 200# compression ea cyl. correct timing, etc... the car is with a certified chrysler mechanic, he can't figure why it won't start. he's as lost as i am. could this be an ecu problem???

 

if it's geting fuel and spark it should do something. I would suspect ecu next. i am not sure if you can check this butdo injectors actually spray fuel?
you can check if capacitors are good on the ecu, if they leaked then they need to be replaced.

 

yes they are spraying fuel, i contacted ecm to go in texas, according to the gentleman i spoke with, he said the ecu is bad, i'm going to send it to him . he also told me that any ecu from 91 to 96 for a dohc v-6 non-turbo will start the car, is this really true?? are jdm motors direct replacements?? i only had to transfer a few coolant and oil temp/pressure sensors. i'm trying to learnas much as i can. thanks! do you know of anyone i could call?? could i contact directly?? this way i could describe every little detail. this car is the only car i know that is fighting the rebuild process, it acts like it wants to be parted/junked, we rescued this from going to the junkyard. a japanese christine!!!

 

i have a 92 es the guys in texas are good, sent my ecm and tcm in they could not fix the ecm so they gave me one from a 94 and so far so good, its been 3 weeks. they give a discount if you send both at the same time. and they are very fast had mine back the next day and i'm in chicago. the trans computers have the same crappy parts the ecm's do so its worth it to send them both and be done with it.

 

thanks! i've dealt with ecmtogo also, this guy is wealth of information.

 

my understanding is that if it's spraying fuel and firing then it should start or try to start, not just turn over. Try adding another ground from the body to the motor just incase to rule out the ground issue.
EDIT: original motor is made by mitsu as well, there shouldn't be any difference at all. And any dohc computer from all years should work on any dohc from any other year.

 

thanks again! i'm really glad i joined this forum, you guys have been great! i will run another ground wire from the body to the motor. also, it tries to start but won't run according to the mechanic. i'm sending my ecm and tcm to ecmtogo wednesday for testing and repair. thanks! i'll keep you in loop!

 

That would be the best bet. At least it would eliminate the ECU as being the problem. Sometimes the leakage is so minute, it is not always easily visible.