Now No Start

[Kenneth Keith]

Update:  Still not starting.  I tried jumping the FP relay and the pump does
buzz like it used to, however doing that and cranking doesn't start it.  I
also checked the distributor and it still spins and while it's a little
sloppy it doesn't appear the gear is broken.  I'm in the process of changing
the fuel filter, and then I'll try maybe swapping in some different flywheel
timing sensors.

Cheers,

Kenneth
On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 1:11 AM, Kenneth Keith <auditude at gmail.com> wrote:

> 200q20v'ers,
>
> Geez.  I was seriously happy only moments ago as I had fixed a few things
> on the 200q20v tonight and believe I found the cause of the low boost.  I
> was in the dash and fixed the cluster issues, and the check engine light
> started working.  I was able to pull codes, which were 4444 aka no faults,
> which had me taking a step back to reevaluate my low boost issue.  I went to
> test the BPV for leaks, and I discovered the same thing that got me before
> with these cars. I was fooled into thinking the BPV signal hose was in great
> shape because the two ends looked brand new, but sure enough it was baked
> and broken in the middle where it passes the EM.  I patched the hose and
> cleaned myself up after a long night of working on the car for a rewarding
> drive with full boost...
>
> WTF!  The car wouldn't start!  It would only crank.  The check engine light
> doesn't come on any more either, with either of my ECUs.  I checked the
> Motor Moteur fuses and they are intact, as if fuse 13 for the fuel pump.
>  Earlier today I unplugged and checked every fuse and made sure they were
> all the right amperage, but the car ran after that.
>
> Now when I turn the key on, I hear a relay clicking twice, presumably the
> FP relay, but I don't hear the fuel pump cycle.  I know the fuel pump
> doesn't run unless the flywheel is turning, but doesn't it cycle once with
> the key on to prime the system?  If so, mine's not doing it.  My fuel pump
> has been very loud since I got the car, the characteristic angry bee's nest
> sound, but it's not had any problems and has never not started before.  I
> ran a can of Seafoam through it a few tanks ago, and aside from the loud
> fuel pump (and low boost), everything's been normal.
>
> Aside from the suspicious no fuel pump cycle with key on, the only things I
> did since the last time it ran was to patch the BPV hose, and tighten a bolt
> in the front of the block that I noticed was hanging out, which is for the
> bracket that acts as a guide or guard to the power steering pump.  I did
> yank the BPV hose out of it's routing along side the boost pipe, toward the
> throttle body, and I had the WGFV disconnected when I pulled and reinstalled
> the BPV.
>
> I had the ECU disconnected a few times, and I was wrestling with it for
> quite a bit as I couldn't get the forward part of the bracket to release
> it.  I finally had to unscrew the bracket from the car and get it off the
> ECU.  I suppose I could have damaged the harness in that area, but I doubt
> it.  The first thing I thought when it wouldn't start was that I left the
> ECU disconnected, but it was connected and latched fine.
>
> Right now I suspect the fuel pump, but that doesn't explain the check
> engine light not coming on with the key on.  I wonder if the ignition switch
> can fail in a way that would cause that.  I have another fuel pump that I
> can swap in, but I just put 3/4 of a tank in.  Since the fuel pump was
> noisy, I guess I'll go ahead and swap it anyway.  Another thing I haven't
> done yet but was coming up next was to replace the fuel filter.
>
> Prior to wanting to pull codes today to check for low boost causes, I
> didn't notice if the check engine light was coming on with the key on.  I
> don't remember if I started today without the check engine light
> functioning, but it did start when the light did function, so maybe the no
> start condition is related to the no check engine light.
>
> If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. <sigh>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kenneth
>