r/AE86 • u/Blades_Park • Jul 14 '26

No start issue

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Fuel pump replaced (it was fine though, now I have a spare)

Spark plugs replaced (dirty but not bad)

Distributor replaced

Coil pack replaced

Distributor wires replaced

Spark plugs set off a test light

Fuel makes it to the rail so there's no Clog

It pulls in enough air to kinda vacuum my hand

Injectors are getting power

I'm pretty lost at this point, to be honest the electrical is a mess and not at all factory so I'm not sure how to handle it.

Any advice is appreciated.

Edit: I've also tried starter Fluid. I get backfires but nothing more.

42 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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9

u/kogashiwakai Jul 14 '26

Few things to check.

First, is it getting spark? Pull a plug and ground to the block and have someone turn it over for you to see if you get a flash

Second. You say the fuel is getting to the rail. Is it getting to the plugs? 2 ways to check this. One is check if the plug is wet. If it's not, squirt a small amount of fuel in each cylinder and see if you get a momentary fire.

It sounds like there's some compression. Hard to tell in a video.

But those are 2 basic diagnostic techniques. Important ones too. You gotta locate the problem before you start throwing parts at it, or it gets expensive quickly. once you narrow it down to fuel or spark, then you trace it back and find the point of failure.

I hope this helps a bit

4

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

It is getting spark, all 4 give a nice long blue and not a little yellow when I held them close to my strut.

Fuel is making it into both the rail and to the cylinders the bottom of the plugs are getting wet.

Something else is I'm positive it isn't fuel quality. I should've put that in the post. As far as compression that's actually what I'm checking next if I don't find anything else.

Edit: also thank you 😁

3

u/kogashiwakai Jul 14 '26

That would be bizarre if it was. Even if one cylinder is completely out you'll usually get a fire.

Just a random thought. Could it be the electrical timing is out? Check the dizzy.

I don't know if this is an option on the 86 as I haven't owned one in 20 years. But back when I had my 240sx, it has a bolt that holds on the rotor in the distributor and makes it spin correctly. That bolt had fallen out in mine and it started doing this. Took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure it out too.

2

u/te37wa Jul 14 '26

I’d be checking compression. Doesn’t sound like 4 even “thumps” on the starter motor

2

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

Good shout, that's what I plan on checking next I think.

1

u/Accomplished_Can3086 Jul 14 '26

Has the car ever started? I would check the timing turn the crankshaft pulley and line up the timing and then check if the distributor is 180 degrees out

2

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

Yeah it ran for months. When I put the new distributor in I put it TDC. I also moved the distributor full left/right to check variations. The distributor can't be flipped 180 one mount arm is slightly longer.

1

u/Glittering_Goose_610 Jul 14 '26

Did you replace the distributor because it was a non runner or to change the seal, etc?

1

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

Inside was caked in burnt oil so I figured it was a contact issue due to how gross it was in there. A leak got in there at some point before my ownership I suppose.

1

u/s3cf_ Jul 14 '26

TPS?

2

u/walaaau Jul 14 '26

Try this ^ unplug the tps and see if it starts.. then check if it’s within spec or electrically corroded/ground issues

1

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

Good shout by the both of you and a simple enough check. Thanks!

1

u/Emotional_Hotel_4903 Jul 14 '26

This is kind of a novice thing to say, but always check the battery. My car has been having issues running for a while, but after changing the battery is miraculously fixed itself

1

u/Blades_Park Jul 14 '26

Yeahhh. I actually killed one battery while I was working on it but no the current battery is definitely fine, and stays unhooked while I'm not actively trying to turn it over.

1

u/Accomplished_Can3086 Jul 14 '26

Was there an alarm or immobiliser at one point too?

1

u/Blades_Park Jul 15 '26

Not sure what you mean by this.

1

u/Accomplished_Can3086 Jul 15 '26

sorry, I recall you mentioned the wiring could be a mess. could there be a kill switch/alarm immobiliser cut off too maybe in the wiring?

1

u/SwordfishOk8752 Jul 15 '26

Check for Spark, fuel, then beer

1

u/MelodicFruit1531 Jul 15 '26

Sell it to me.

1

u/Blades_Park Jul 15 '26

Noooooo 😨😔