1985 SE Fuel and Spark, no start (Page 2/4)
Rexgirl JAN 24, 04:38 AM
More specific information would be helpful. You get power on the pink wires in engine's FI connector? What wires exactly are you testing? The return wires to the ECM at this connector are light green and light blue and so should also have power on them with the key on/engine off (ie: injectors not grounded).
IIRC, I believe the Ignition Control Module in the distributor signals the ECM to turn the FI control on (someone correct me if that's wrong). Still, the four pin connector on the ICM is a known weak point, and can make a poor contact even if it visually seems fine.

[This message has been edited by Rexgirl (edited 01-24-2022).]

hmmhunter JAN 24, 02:53 PM
Yeah I am getting power on the pink wires but nothing to the blue or green ground wires in the middle.

I'm still a little confused on just how it works but I know ICM does tell the ECM when to start sending signal to the injectors. I read a lot about testing circuit 423 (Est) and the Bypass circuit, but I still am not sure about how exactly I test that.
hmmhunter JAN 24, 05:02 PM
Ok now I’m really confused
I pulled the intake manifold off and then checked again and suddenly had power and ground to the six-pin connector when cranking. Then I pulled the fuel rail and found two injectors not firing (5 and 6). One of them just had an issue with the plug and the other I sprayed electronics cleaner on the contacts of the plug and then all six injectors started spraying fuel.

I then put it all back together and it wouldn’t start. I’m getting power and ground to the six-pin and it will start right up with starting fluid, but it still doesn’t run.
Rexgirl JAN 24, 05:25 PM
Can you smell raw fuel in the exhaust while/after cranking? And no vacuum leaks?

[This message has been edited by Rexgirl (edited 01-24-2022).]

hmmhunter JAN 24, 05:29 PM
No it doesnt really smell like anything. After starting with starting fluid it smokes like crazy and smells horrible but that’s about it
Rexgirl JAN 24, 05:36 PM
If the injectors are spraying, you should smell gasoline from the exhaust. How did you know the injectors were firing?
hmmhunter JAN 24, 06:09 PM
I pulled the fuel rail up just a little bit while still connected to the fuel lines and was able to watch them spray fuel.

I’m now getting a code 33 (MAP vacuum pressure low or high) but all the connections appear to be good. I’m seeing that it connects directly with the fuel pressure regulator. Would it be worth it to replace that again or is there any way to test it?
Skybax JAN 24, 07:45 PM
Double check your firing order and distributor/cap position...
hmmhunter JAN 24, 10:51 PM
I did check the order of all the plug wires, they seem to be in order.
I replaced the ICM and MAP sensor, spark plugs (again) and the plug wires and it won’t start still but I did verify it will still fire with starting fluid.
While changing plugs I also checked compression and got the following:
1: 150
2: 120
3: 150
4: 147
5: 130
6: 150
Does this appear to be normal? I think it is but figured I’d ask since I’m not very familiar with this stuff.

I’m at a complete loss as to what could be the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rexgirl JAN 24, 11:57 PM
You may be back to basics. Like Skybax wrote, you might want to verify that the distributor and rotor are correctly timed. For example, the rotor should be pointing at #6 when the rocker arms on #3 (which might be visible through the oil filler cap) are rocking.

Also, if you haven't fully checked the four wires that run from the ICM to the ECM, doing so might be a good idea. Their connector, plugged into the distributor, can and does fail. The wires are shown here in the lower left:

[This message has been edited by Rexgirl (edited 01-25-2022).]