My wife has a 93 automatic that she daily drives. New petris opti, New waterpump, New plugs, New plug wires. (all in the last month)

There was a major rain storm while she was at work and when she tried to come home it wouldn't start. I get there and find it cranks, gets fuel, but no spark.

I replaced the #25 fuse in the passenger side fuse box (water made it through the a pillar weatherstripping to the passenger floor board) I then pulled the 2 60amp maxis for the ignition system from the engine bay box they were corroded so I swapped them.

​​​​The car then had spark and I was able to start it but only by punching the gas pedal while cranking.

Car blew white smoke out the exhaust that I attributed to rain water having gotten in the exhaust pipes.

After revving it while parked for a couple minutes white smoke went away and engine idle stabilized.

We started the 30 mile drive home and after a bit it started running progressively rougher. At the 10 mike mark I pulled into a Lowes parking lot because any time I gave it any level of gas the car was shaking (not engine knock the car was shaking). By the time I was stationary in Lowes it won't idle on its own. Only lights that came on were service asr/abs.

I pulled all the maxi fuses from the engine bay fuse box and cleaned them up (didn't have enough to replace them). They were all corroded. After reinsertion and restart the asr/abs lights cleared but engine still needs gas pedal to start and now shakes at idle (though it will idle on its own).

After three hours tinkering in the dark in a parking lot we called it for the night. I'm open to ideas. The car was running fantastic prior to this.

I verified all wires are connected to the opti, plugs, ignition module and coil. Oil level is good per the dipstick. Tranny fluid is good per the dipstick. I need to check coolant level somehow that slipped my mind.

Car has power 14.5 volts at the battery all lights come on. I didn't have a fuel pressure gauge but got plenty of gas spraying out the Schrader valve when I checked it.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
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My 96 vert suddenly began not starting. I had to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor to get it to start. I pulled off the vacuum hose to the fuel pressure regulator and there was gas in the line. I replaced it and is started normally. I didn’t have the other symptoms that you’re experiencing though. It ran ok, just didn’t want to start. I would get/rent a fuel pressure gauge to check if it holds the pressure if there’s no gas in the vacuum line.

 

Sounds like fuel pressure to me (corroded fuses may just be a coincidence, and not the cause of your issue). Even a couple of PSI in the fuel rail will spray out of the Schrader valve 'vigorously' - ask me how I know. I agree with KMS88 - put a fuel pressure gauge on and check the regulator vacuum line is the next step.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll rent a fuel pressure gauge (somehow one tool I don't have). What's the normal range? Quick search indicates 43.5 psi, is that correct?


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I agree with checking the fuel pressure. Since it was sitting in a rainstorm, is it possible rain water got in the gas tank? Especially if drain under the fuel door is plugged and water accumulates around the gas cap.

 

Update -

First thing today I siphoned some gas out of the tank - no evidence of water in the gas. I dropped in some heet anyway.

Checked fuel regulator vac line - no fuel leaked out.

Attached fuel pressure gauge. Turned key to run. 40ish psi that immediately dropped to 20 and after a couple seconds 5-0.

Cranked car - kachunk.

Turned on dash battery gauge it showed 11.8 volts. Hooked up jump box - gauge then showed 12.5 volts, cranked again - kachunk. While cranking battery gauge indicates voltage dropped to 5-6volts.

Tried using jumper cables instead of jump box. With jump vehicle running and cables connected battery gauge indicated 13.5 volts. Cranked again - kachunk.

Pulled battery took it to auto parts store for testing - test results say it's a good battery with no loss.

It started raining so we had to call it a day.

Other data: pulled #2 and #4 plugs both are slightly dirty but nothing major. No mechanical regapping (thank the Lord) no accumulations. Replaced maxi fuses located behind the battery because why not. Replaced all the fuses from the passenger side fuse box that are listed as having anything to do with the engine/ignition/etc.

Any ideas? Yesterday I got it started and drove it probably 10 miles. The more I think about it the more I think the shaking I experienced yesterday was due to fuel starvation. But even if fuel pump is dying that doesn't explain why power isn't getting to starter etc.

 

Hard to determine what symptom "kachunk" is but I would take out #7 and #8 plug and tell us what you find.. White smoke out of the exhaust is never a good sign.

 

Fuel pressure shouldn't drop immediately, at least not that much. Stuck injectors or a leaking regulator (even if no fuel was present in vacuum line) come to mind first.

if with kachunk you mean engine isn't turning over check there's no hydrolock (pull all spark plugs).

 

Forgot to mention fuel injectors are pretty new probably not more than 500 miles on them. Didn't change the regulator but fuel starvation doesn't explain lack of power to crank the starter. Likelihood of 2 unrelated issues showing up after the same rain storm?

Sorry "kachunk" is turn the key to crank and starter makes a single noise/effort that sounds pretty much like kachunk. Starter doesnt crank engine doesnt turn over.

When I go out tomorrow I'll try turning the engine over manually - should have done that when I was there. However I don't think it's hydrolocked since my wife says the "kachunk" is the same noise it made prior to my arrival on scene yesterday and we charged the battery and drove it 10 miles after that.

I'll add I rechecked oil and coolant levels both indicate in normal ranges. Also while driving it yesterday oil and coolant temps (via digital readout) were both sub 200 (~195-198).

I appreciate the assistant keep the advice, thoughts, comments coming!

 

Did you check battery terminals for proper clean connection and check what voltage is at the starter. Battery issues can cause many unexpected problems.

 

Yes, pulled the battery and connections are all clean. Also had the battery tested AutoZone assures me it's a good battery.

... How would I do that?

I believe it.

 

Update -

Had a break in the rain so I ran back and put a breaker bar on it and it DOES turn over so it is NOT locked up.

Thank you for the continued assistance!

 

The kachunk may just be from low battery power. With the rainstorm, corroded fuses, poor running and battery going empty I'd check for parasitic loads. How high the water get during the major storm, if the car won't crank even with a chardged battery did the starter get wet. Unfortunately these days new parts are no guarantee they're any good - the poor running could be from the opti, especially if it got wet. Another option is ECM.

 

Turn your headlights on. Try to start engine. If your kachunk kills the headlights but then immediately are on again you have a bad connection, bad ground, bad starter or all 3.

 

Kachunk noise with no turn over is usually the starter contacts gone bad. It begins with an intermittent no start. Progresses to occasional starts. Then goes to no start ever. Often happens when there is an unrelated issue leading a lot of start attempt.
the solenoid pulls in and engages the pinion. That’s what makes the noise. But the starter motor gets no power. You can replace the starter or replace just the copper contacts.

I would pull all plugs and look for a cylinder with raw gas in it. The injectors might be new but one could still be leaking if it’s defective or got some crud in it.

 

Thanks for the advice! Since it's in a parking lot options for working on it in place are limited. It's pouring rain again today so can't get out to do anything today. I'm thinking at this point I just need to have it towed home. Any advice for how to avoid the tow truck damaging the car during loading/unloading?

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Say no to a tow truck. Tell the tow company you need a flat bed with a low vehicle ramp. Stand there while they load and unload it.

 

You might find the issue in your gas tank. When you are home pull the fuel pump assembly from the tank and check the hose clamps. They get brittle over time and the hose can disconnect from the fuel pump. A stainless steel hose clamp in place of the plastic clamp solves the problem. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Update -

Good news :
​Found a great tow company with a low profile deck truck that got it home without hurting the car.

Bad news:
I checked the oil once we got it home... The dipstick was perfectly clean... And smells like gasoline. I'm going to bed now.

 

Update -

Rechecked the oil - still none on the stick and smells like gas (I was really hoping I just imagined that).

Popped the intake tube off the throttle body so I could try turning the engine manually - there is oil in my intake tube.

Engine does appear to turn over with the breaker bar so at least didn't imagine that either.

This weekend I'll get it in the air and drain the 'oil' to see what we have in the pan.

Coolant color, clarity, and level all look good. So that's something I guess.

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