Timothy Morphy

Hi, Changed the oil today,took the cam sensor off and turned the engine over to get the oil about,now it wont start!
Spark is there,injectors are working and pump/fuel is good. Spilt a little oil on the cam sensor,but cleaned it.Also gave the lambda sensor a clean.
Any ideas?

Thanks,Tim

scooby dancer

you say you dropped oil on the cam sensor are you sure there is a connection when reconecting wireing as sounds like not if its a classic put black ecu read connectors together as see if it throws you a cam sensor error code 11 i think

Timothy Morphy

Thanks for the reply! im pretty sure the wiring is clean,where are the connectors you mention? also where will the code be displayed? It's a 95 uk turbo. Would i still get a spark/fuel if the cam sensor is faulty?

Thanks Tim

scooby dancer

go to http://www.saxonfields.freeserve.co....iag%20Page.htm this will show you how to check your ecu

Timothy Morphy

Excellent link! Thanks!

Tim

Timothy Morphy

Hi,just done a fault code check and its found no faults(repeated flashing of check engine light). Any more ideas? Sorry!!

Thanks, Tim

Fuzz

either flooded or there is a connection problem with the cam sensor.

Re check the cam sensor and spray a bit of carb cleaner in there to remove the oil.

Andy

Timothy Morphy

Is it possible to have a iffy sensor and not be picked up on the codes?
Also,would a bad lamda sensor prevent starting?

Tim

Fuzz

lambda wouldn't affect it starting.

Check the pins are not bent in the cam sensor socket, i've managed to do this before and the plug still clipped into position as if nothing was out of place.

Have you tried cranking it with your foot flat on the gas pedal for a while ????

Andy

ridell

I too have had this problem on and off for a couple of weeks now, not had chance to get it checed yet though.

Mine is a 95 WRX Import, the car will start fine most of the time but about once a week I have problems starting it. Engine turns over but does not fire, I always manage to start it in the end but taks about 10-20 mins.

I have has plugs, coil packs etc changed.....will be looking at the postion sensors next.

I will let ya know if I find anything.

Thanks

ridell

Can anyone tell me a way of testing the sensor? I too am not getting any codes from the ECU.

Timothy Morphy

Right,wiring to sensor is definately ok,took the sockets out the plug and pushed them on the sensor. The ecu still finds no faults even when the sensor is unpluged!
Does anyone know where i can get hold of wiring diagrams,cos i'd like to con-check the wiring to the ecu itself.

Thanks,Tim

Fuzz

www.saxonfields.freeserve.co.uk might have something

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Are the crank sensors hall effect or another type? If hall effect, you might be able with a digital meter set on dc voltage check for fluctuations whilst cranking over the engine. I would expect to see 0v to 5v swing, although an oscilloscope would be more use in analysing the output from the sensor.

Andy

[Davey]

See you fanny around doing an **** oil change then the bloody thing wont start! If you had just changed the oil and filter the normal way you wouldnt have this problem

GingerbreadMan

iTrader: (1)

I'm with Davey on this one!

Sorry guys, hope you find the problem, it's gonna be something simple.

DEEDEE

Yep agree with [DAVEY]. Just do a Oil change ie Change the Oil

Fuzz

If you have an LED and can solder some longer "pins" onto it...do so.

Shove each one of the pins in the back of the socket with it all plugged in and crank.
LED flashes, then it's working.
Also agree with the last two posters.

Andy

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Dont forget to put a 1.5k resistor in series with the LED to limit the current throulgh the LED or it might just flash once.

Fuzz

Electrics not my strong point lol

Andy

Timothy Morphy

The reason i took the sensor off was to turn the engine over and clear the contaminated oil/fuel out the pump,filter ect. I understand there's no need to do it on a routine oil change!
Checked the wiring to the ecu,and the crank sensor which was ok.
Also checked the resistance across the two sensors,both show 1.9k. The led sounds like an idea,have some knocking about some place so will give it a try!

Tim

GrahamG

i'm guessing you wish you had done it normally?

ridell

Alot of you have said about Tom removing his cam sensor but I am having similar problems and I have not touched mine yet! Even though Tom removed his.....why should this cause problems ?

Tom, does your car start some times and not others or just dont start at all ?

Thanks

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

you drained the oil and then turned the engine over with crank sensor removed and no oil in it????

I hjope you mean you refilled with oil and new filter and then turned it over with crank sensor removed to get some oil pressure... then the car wouldn't start?

Ridell,

Your problem sounds like a failing crank sensor.. is it most likely not to start when warm starting like when you stop for petrol?

Try removing and cleaning it

Simon

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Double post

Timothy Morphy

Ok,panics over! It was the cam sensor,or wiring anyway! checked the engine loom and found that one of the cam wires was shorting against another,dropping the impulses. protected/repared wires and it started first time!
It looked like it had been like it for a while,and moving the connector/loom was enough to finish it off!
Thanks for all your help on this,you've been great!
Final thought(feel like jerry springer!) the ecu fault diag didn't pick this up,so don't assume all's good if you have no fault codes!

Thanks,Tim(yes,Tim,not Tom!)

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

result - been watching this thread

i know what its like, when you try what should be a simple job and it turns in to a nightmare

ridell

Yeah thats right, it seems to be when the engine is hot/warm, dont seem to be doing it all the time...I would say about once a week. It does start after about 30mins.

Will check this sensor

Thanks for the reply Simon

Ridell

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Tim,

Glad it was something easy to sort in the end.

Ridell,

Yep classic sign of failing crank sensor.. cleaning it usually helps for a bit..
also clean the cam sensor..

Simon

ridell

Great, thanks Simon

I will clean them for now and look at replacing them.

Subaru want £103.50+VAT per sensor, does anyone know if I can get the part from some where else that may be a bit cheaper?

Thanks