CGT no start (cranks), no dash cluster lights w/key on

[Kenneth Keith]

Thanks for all responses so far.  I am aware of the "spare" fuse and checked
that sneaky SOB.  I also bought a new ignition switch and it didn't help (I
should have included that info).  I was SO sure it was the ignition switch
too.

I've pretty much checked all the fuses, but I'll do it again just to be
sure.  I do get one dash light, at the dimmer, when the key is on, but I
don't get the "christmas light" effect with key on like you're supposed to
get.

I follow the troubleshooting steps, but I'm inclined to fix the dash light
issue rather than check for spark.  I figure that's more root cause than a
spark problem.  However, I'll check spark just to rule it out.  I also
thought I confirmed that the fuel pump was working or at least humming.  Do
they hum when they're not actually pumping, such as being jammed up with old
gas, etc.?  It's been awhile since I last unsuccessfully worked on the car,
but I thought I cracked open a fuel line to see if it had pressure and it
did.

What I was and still am interested in most is nailing down the dash light
issue.  I figure if I have dash lights then I can worry about mechanical and
other failures in the fuel and ignition systems, but if the car doesn't know
the key is "on" then I have more basic issues to deal with.

I received an off-list reply from another lister that suggested to test the
"15" ("key on") circuit, which I'll do as well as check for spark and actual
fuel pump activity.  However, what I'm already wondering is if I don't have
any power to the 15 circuit with the key on, if it's not the ignition switch
then what else could it be?  Is there relay that's energized when the key is
on?

I need to move this car to my new place and I'd prefer not to trailer it
like I did with the other three I just moved.

Cheers,

Kenneth
'86 CGT
'90 CQ eS2 project
'91 200q20v for sale
'91 200q20v project-in-waiting
 '85 4kq project-in-waiting
'95 90q parts car/scrap-in-waiting
'98 VFR800
'06 Ridgeline
On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 9:58 AM, DK <proleonk at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a 4000 so the setup is fairly the same. Have a quick look and
> see if all fuses are good. I "believe" the dash gauges are independent
> from the ECU, but I could be wrong. Do the high beams, blinkers show
> up when in use?
> Troubleshooting.
> Disconnect one spark plug with its wire and touch it to the intake
> manifold to ground. Use pliers or other appropriate insulation not to
> get shocked. Have some one else crank the car, see if you got spark.
> If yes, good, if not, check your distributor.
> Next step is fuel. if you cant smell any fuel by now, after some
> cranking, you most likely don't have any fuel coming in. Also, just
> verify that you actually have fuel in the tank. When you turn the key
> to ACC, can you hear it prime? You should hear cycle twice. Pump is
> located on the 4000 before the driver side rear wheel, CGT should have
> it there as well. You also can use the horn relay, instead of the fuel
> pump relay(since yours could be bad), but this is for testing purposes
> only! Once its in, it will act like its always on, so you have to
> disconnect it when done. IMPORTANT! It will not automatically stop!
> If you cant hear it humming along, check voltage and all that fun.
> When my died, I would hit it and it stayed on for a bit, but at that
> stage its time for a new one.
>
>
> Rereading your email - it could be also the ignition switch, that
> possibly explain the no lights on the dash.
>
>
> Lets hear what works.
>
> Dave
>