This car has been idle for almost 8 years, started every few months but not driven. I'm the original owner and I have a shop manual. I drove it a few months back and found the transmission was stuck in 3rd gear (in fail safe mode). I replaced the transmission control module and all forward gears came back. I then tried to drive it but it was running very poorly. The car is pre-OBD1. I used an analog voltmeter to check the pulsed diagnostic output and this indicated a fuel injector problem. The manual recommended checking the resistance of the injectors. I did this but the resistance of all 4 injectors looked fine. I stopped there. At that point (last October), the car would start but was running rough.
I tried again today and the car would turn over (with a jump), but wouldn't fire. The diagnostic output with the voltmeter was continuous short pulses (no pattern), which means everything is OK according to the manual. I took out a spark plug and had somebody turn over the engine. There was a spark visible. Also, I could smell some gas through the spark plug hole.
Any ideas? I know it's quite a mix of recent events. I'm sure being idle for so long is a factor. I changed the timing belt about 10,000 miles ago, so I don't suspect a timimg problem. I just read about lifting the oil cap and looking for camshaft movement, I'll try that tomorrow.
I tried again today and the car would turn over (with a jump), but wouldn't fire. The diagnostic output with the voltmeter was continuous short pulses (no pattern), which means everything is OK according to the manual. I took out a spark plug and had somebody turn over the engine. There was a spark visible. Also, I could smell some gas through the spark plug hole.
Any ideas? I know it's quite a mix of recent events. I'm sure being idle for so long is a factor. I changed the timing belt about 10,000 miles ago, so I don't suspect a timimg problem. I just read about lifting the oil cap and looking for camshaft movement, I'll try that tomorrow.
Jan 9, 2011 at 11:06 AM


