95 323 Astina Wont Start

jeremyk · 18-02-2015, 08:49 PM

Hey guys!

So I have been doing a routine service on my sisters 1995 323 Astina sedan. The car is just overdue for a routine service really, nothing major.

It had an oil leak from the rocker cover, so I removed that and sealed it with gasket maker.

I had to get pretty aggressive with the cleaning. The oil had just built up everywhere all over the motor and made it smell terrible. So 3 cans of engine degreaser later and it's almost acceptable.

The car was running when I parked it there yesterday. The instructions of the gasket maker told me to wait 24 hours before refilling the engine with oil, so I did.

The throttle position sensor was caked in grease and crap, so we removed it and gave it a quick clean with regular degreaser, and then dried it. Same with the mass air sensor. Removed and replaced the oil filter as well.

Came back in 24 hours, filled it with oil, turned the key a few times in short bursts to get the oil moving slightly, then i gave a long burst of the key and it didn't start, and it turns over but doesn't start.

Seems to not be getting spark of all things. I have no idea why or how this is the case. I checked the spark from the plugs, nothing, from the leads, nothing, from the distributor, nothing. I made sure the dizzy was still turning. It is.

Can hear the fuel pump going on startup so thats working. Fuel was spraying out the top when the spark plugs were out, so its getting fuel.

All of a sudden it just doesn't start. I removed and refitted the TPS again just to make sure it was fitted properly. I would still think even if it wasn't, I should be getting spark on turnover, Im not.

I thought perhaps the aftermarket immobiliser had something to do with it, so we disconnected and reconnected the battery to reset it. It seems her immobiliser cuts the starter though, not the power to the engine.

Ive gone over the car and checked 20 times to make sure all the connectors are back, all the hoses are back, and I cant find any faults in anything.

Its so crazy because only yesterday it was running fine and now, nothing. Im at a total loss.

Checked fuses that looked relevant and none blown.

Surely nothing has died overnight, because the car hasnt gone anywhere. Have I missed something super obvious and dumb?

BrownDog · 22-02-2015, 03:24 PM

check the plugs on the dizzy, and fiddle with fuses

project.r.racing · 23-02-2015, 08:39 AM

did you use water/hose to rinse the engine? if so, check dissy as above, and start unpluging everything related to check for water.

jeremyk · 24-02-2015, 10:37 AM

thanks guys! the car is in the mechanics shop now, we had to get racv to tow it, we still have no idea why it wont kick over. it has no spark, i checked the leads, by testing them in my Volvo, it still ran on all cylinders so leads were good, dizzy seems okay, its turning and the contacts are good. spark plugs are okay. checked all the fuses and relays under the bonnet, theyre fine, checked the fuses in the dash, all fine, i disabled the immobilser and bypassed it, nothing there, unplugged all the wiring around the dizzy and checked those, nothing.

Pulled out my voltmeter, on the 3 wire plug going to the dizzy, only the blue wire is getting power, the other two wires arent. the bigger 6 wire plug, i think only one or two wires was getting 12 v. Strangely some where getting 4 or 5 volts, and others, no volts, but i assume these are the feedback wires to the computer.

BrownDog · 24-02-2015, 01:14 PM

hmmm maybe the coil went in the dizzy, the way i test my dizzy is while is cranking over i hover the lead over the dizzy cap and watch it arc across to the lead, easier than using the plug

BrownDog · 24-02-2015, 01:14 PM

how did u test the spark plugs

jeremyk · 24-02-2015, 11:26 PM

i didnt test the spark plugs but i know they are okay because the car was running only 24 hours prior, and it is highly unlikely all 4 of them failed at once. the mechanic would have checked them as well and he hasnt mentioned it

the mechanic thinks the coil in the dizzy has died as well. I tested the dizzy the same way as you, by hovering the lead, i also tried with a screwdriver for a bigger metal contact, nothing. mechanic confirmed no spark. he read the codes on the computer and it wasnt showing any codes, none related to a dizzy anyway. he also disabled the alarm system and still nothing.

we are replacing the entire dizzy with one from a wrecker for $110, it has a 6 month warranty so hopefully will last okay, sister is gonna chuck the car in a few months anyway as we are over this one!

18-02-2015, 08:49 PM	#1
jeremyk Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne Car: Eunos 500 V6 Posts: 4	95 323 Astina Wont Start Hey guys! So I have been doing a routine service on my sisters 1995 323 Astina sedan. The car is just overdue for a routine service really, nothing major. It had an oil leak from the rocker cover, so I removed that and sealed it with gasket maker. I had to get pretty aggressive with the cleaning. The oil had just built up everywhere all over the motor and made it smell terrible. So 3 cans of engine degreaser later and it's almost acceptable. The car was running when I parked it there yesterday. The instructions of the gasket maker told me to wait 24 hours before refilling the engine with oil, so I did. The throttle position sensor was caked in grease and crap, so we removed it and gave it a quick clean with regular degreaser, and then dried it. Same with the mass air sensor. Removed and replaced the oil filter as well. Came back in 24 hours, filled it with oil, turned the key a few times in short bursts to get the oil moving slightly, then i gave a long burst of the key and it didn't start, and it turns over but doesn't start. Seems to not be getting spark of all things. I have no idea why or how this is the case. I checked the spark from the plugs, nothing, from the leads, nothing, from the distributor, nothing. I made sure the dizzy was still turning. It is. Can hear the fuel pump going on startup so thats working. Fuel was spraying out the top when the spark plugs were out, so its getting fuel. All of a sudden it just doesn't start. I removed and refitted the TPS again just to make sure it was fitted properly. I would still think even if it wasn't, I should be getting spark on turnover, Im not. I thought perhaps the aftermarket immobiliser had something to do with it, so we disconnected and reconnected the battery to reset it. It seems her immobiliser cuts the starter though, not the power to the engine. Ive gone over the car and checked 20 times to make sure all the connectors are back, all the hoses are back, and I cant find any faults in anything. Its so crazy because only yesterday it was running fine and now, nothing. Im at a total loss. Checked fuses that looked relevant and none blown. Surely nothing has died overnight, because the car hasnt gone anywhere. Have I missed something super obvious and dumb?

22-02-2015, 03:24 PM	#2
BrownDog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Beachmere Car: 1997 BA "The Red Baron" Posts: 704	check the plugs on the dizzy, and fiddle with fuses __________________ The Red Baron Roses are Red Violets are Blue My Madza 323 Goes... SSSSSSSSTUUTUUTUU

24-02-2015, 01:14 PM	#5
BrownDog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Beachmere Car: 1997 BA "The Red Baron" Posts: 704	hmmm maybe the coil went in the dizzy, the way i test my dizzy is while is cranking over i hover the lead over the dizzy cap and watch it arc across to the lead, easier than using the plug __________________ The Red Baron Roses are Red Violets are Blue My Madza 323 Goes... SSSSSSSSTUUTUUTUU

24-02-2015, 01:14 PM	#6
BrownDog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Beachmere Car: 1997 BA "The Red Baron" Posts: 704	how did u test the spark plugs __________________ The Red Baron Roses are Red Violets are Blue My Madza 323 Goes... SSSSSSSSTUUTUUTUU

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

23-02-2015, 08:39 AM	#3
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	did you use water/hose to rinse the engine? if so, check dissy as above, and start unpluging everything related to check for water.

24-02-2015, 10:37 AM	#4
jeremyk Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne Car: Eunos 500 V6 Posts: 4	thanks guys! the car is in the mechanics shop now, we had to get racv to tow it, we still have no idea why it wont kick over. it has no spark, i checked the leads, by testing them in my Volvo, it still ran on all cylinders so leads were good, dizzy seems okay, its turning and the contacts are good. spark plugs are okay. checked all the fuses and relays under the bonnet, theyre fine, checked the fuses in the dash, all fine, i disabled the immobilser and bypassed it, nothing there, unplugged all the wiring around the dizzy and checked those, nothing. Pulled out my voltmeter, on the 3 wire plug going to the dizzy, only the blue wire is getting power, the other two wires arent. the bigger 6 wire plug, i think only one or two wires was getting 12 v. Strangely some where getting 4 or 5 volts, and others, no volts, but i assume these are the feedback wires to the computer.

24-02-2015, 11:26 PM	#7
jeremyk Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne Car: Eunos 500 V6 Posts: 4	i didnt test the spark plugs but i know they are okay because the car was running only 24 hours prior, and it is highly unlikely all 4 of them failed at once. the mechanic would have checked them as well and he hasnt mentioned it the mechanic thinks the coil in the dizzy has died as well. I tested the dizzy the same way as you, by hovering the lead, i also tried with a screwdriver for a bigger metal contact, nothing. mechanic confirmed no spark. he read the codes on the computer and it wasnt showing any codes, none related to a dizzy anyway. he also disabled the alarm system and still nothing. we are replacing the entire dizzy with one from a wrecker for $110, it has a 6 month warranty so hopefully will last okay, sister is gonna chuck the car in a few months anyway as we are over this one!