1990 Legacy- Driving down the road, engine died, will not refire....cranks, but won't start.....where do I start? Thanks in advance!

 

fatguide

Pull off one of the side timing covers and see if your belt is attached to the gears. Also check to see if you are getting fuel.

Thanks Jerry,

I have fuel, even tried starting fluid, no sucess.

I will check the belt, but if it was broken wouldn't the engine sound different when cranking?

 

fatguide

Yes, it would sound like it doesn't have any compression. Turn over a bit faster. But since your engine is non-interference the pistons and valves will never come into contact. So you won't hear any nasty noises if your timing belt breaks.

I'll check the timing belt next, but it sounds the same when it cranks. Does'nt this sound like a spark issue? I pulled #1 plug and when grounded and cranking...no spark. I guess I should have said this first but didn"t want to rule any sugestions out. I relize if timing belt was broken I'd get no spark so I'll check that and get back to you.

Thanks again!

 

fatguide

I won't be able to check untill tomorrow so if anyone has any ideas or tests I can do on the ignition system if the belt is ok, let me know. It would save me time tomorrow to just jump into the elect.

 

fatguide

2 things I can think of are the Ignitor/Igniter (?) - dead center on the engine side of firewall, and the coil pack, including the plug that connects by the throttle body.

 

Not sure how to test either, but I know they'll keep it from firing.

 

Checked for Codes (CEL)? - Instructions HERE.

Fuses. Fuseable links. trouble codes. "D" mode test. Power to ecu. Main relay.

 

Go here... http://cid-4ca3c3459aaa7f7f.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public?wa=wsignin1.0&sa=49493339

 

and download "diagnostic aids for", and "Basic diagnostic". Have an over night read.

Thank you! I'll let you know what I find.

 

fatguide

I am putting my money on a broken timing belt.

Check that fuse/relay panel next to the battery. Something in there that will also cause this problem.

There are a few possibilities, so as already suggested, retrieve any trouble code(s). If one for the cam angle sensor shows up, it's likely that rather than the sensor being bad, the timing belt has failed.

Thanks for all the replies......Jerry you are the man.......broken timing belt.

Replaced it and it runs just fine.

Thanks again,

 

fatguide