St185 not starting.

[esk34]

Well it started for a couple of days. Adjusted the timing on the dizzy. However it did the same thing again. My mate thinks the Distributor cap needs replacing as it was shorting, causing it to run on 3 cylinders. So we are going to replace it. However, would this be the problem, or is it something more sinister?
I tried the computer codes with the O2 sensor disconected. It comes up with no problems, is this normal, or do I have a problem here. The AFM is fine, and shows up on diags if disconected. Vacume cant be it, as itstarted with all the leaks it has now (probably more)
If anybody has any ideas, I would love to hear them thanks.

[SilverGhost]

bugger, this is still happening??

If its still not starting and your definitely getting spark then I would check things in the following order

Vacuum leaks (cant hurt, even though uve probably done it a hundred times)
inside of dizzy cap for cracks or lines to show shorting
all sensors are connected properly, and check continuity of all wires back to ECU loom connector
fuel pump operation - shorting b+ terminal to another pin (cant remember which sorry) with Ignition on, then feel return hose
injector operation
get ECU swapped/tested

This is all assuming there isnt some immobilser or kill switch stuffing up the mix, but they usually immobilise at coil or alt.

[Jorrs]

i dont no about dizzy.. it could be the problem.. but it should still run even on 3 cyls, although mine used to do the same as your car...
the coil had fried itself, but that wasnt the problem it was the Main EFI relay, and the wiring underneath it had coroded and wouldnt let it start.. perhaps have a look at that ?

[Jorrs]

thats what im talking about... the right hand one from memory ? replace that, but also get the wiring underneath it checked out ? i had same problem as what you have and it was this

[Andrew162]

I remember I had a similar problem when I had the RAV4 and the 3S-GTE conversion was just about complete. We tried to start it, and it sounded like a bloody Boxer engine. It was very loud, untimed and just rough as guts. Tried just about everything we could to fix it, from fuel pump to filter to wiring issues to vacuum to MAP sensor... nothing was wrong there. Problem had to be something in the ignition so we tossed out the old dizzy cap and rotor button, replaced with all-new and it ran like a charm.

[tooch]

i dont no about dizzy.. it could be the problem.. but it should still run even on 3 cyls, although mine used to do the same as your car...
the coil had fried itself, but that wasnt the problem it was the Main EFI relay, and the wiring underneath it had coroded and wouldnt let it start.. perhaps have a look at that ?

Yeah 3S's will run easily on 3 cyls, not well, but they definitely run

Have you checked that the injectors are firing properly? You can pull the fuel rail out, and crank the motor (make sure you remove the coil lead or power to the coil ), while watching if the injectors are spraying.