91 sidekick problem starting

[wanderer]

ok here goes

i recently got a 1991 sidekick 4 door 1.6l automatic from my brother in law

which i have since last december he bought a newer one

i love that 4x4 always had big gas drinking 4x4 trucks before

ok this is my problem

was riding it last sundays them all of a sudden it started to run rough so i stop and looked what was the problem so i turn off the engine

look under the hood coil and wires seem fine fuel pump working
(gas pumping )

when i tried to start it again didn't start just cranking and not starting

after a while of looking i tested something i poured gas in the tbi it started but realy rough idle them stalled, did it again but kept foot on gas still rough idle
now i don't realy know what to do

can some one tell what could be the problem

thanks in advance

wanderer

[kelikran]

Poster named JTGH has answered tons of questions similar to yours. He has put together pages of information, go to the bottom of one of his posts, click on the link, start reading. It can be many things, all of which he has covered. A common problem in trackers of early 90s can be the capacitors on the ecm engine control module. They are not hard to change, you don't need to get a new ecm for $1400, but it could also be other things. Do some reading, then post back with more info once you have checked some things out. Also, need to know if 8valve or 16 valve motor, they are different.

[jtgh]

Cranks-but-no-start


could be many things.


91 8v , just like mine only auto. and 4dr.

does it run ok if not idling , if you just rev it , is it ok, both hot and cold?

it the check engine light on, key on , no start.
and then goes off , this lamp center of dash speedo, and stay off while running.
???

bad idling ,
tune up? all.
was it parked a long time , old gas, or water in gas or.
idle air valve , stuck , IAC.

TBI bad idle sounds like bad ignition (1 injector)
that is rough idle.
could be dead cylinder (stuck valve open)

on a new car , tune up and compression test. is good practice.
cheers.

[wanderer]

its a 1.6
( 1 injector)

it runs rough in idle and when i drive it but i got to pour some gas in the tbi so it can start
if i don't put in some gas in the tbi it doesn't start even if i drive it the is rough if i put accelorate is studders till it evens out like at 50km/h or what ever speed your going for

[jtgh]

a tune up might fix it.?
sounds like bad gas in tank? (but?)
or fuel pump pressure bad. (low actually)
or bad ignition. but if it always starts quickly with test gas id say injection is bad.

easy really , just look down throttle bore.
take of black plastic piece on air horn.
see all the screws , take off the whole top pipe, 8v runs perfect , off (unlike 16v)
now some tests.

1: look down bore (TB neck horn) injector is between eyes now.
say to friend, key ON, NO START.
as key goes on , you get this little priming squirt from the injector. repeat 3 times key off.
( if that dont happen , thats ok as its prime purpose (no pun) is to prime and purge air out of lines)
test 2
keeping clear of fan , tell operator , keyon and crank
as it cranks you must get a pulsing spary
if not you have Fuel problelms.

if you get spray and it dont start,
then the gas is bad, or the ignition is failing.

your symptoms are hard.
could be lots of things. even 2 or 3 on old cars like this.
you could have air leaks (but on 8v it starts easy with those)
you could have a dead cyclinder ,for many a reason. valve stuck ?
id have to hear this car run.

besides something easy like
really bad cap rotor wires, plugs.
or clogged fuel filter.
id , pull a compression test and a timing belt cam timing check.
you belt could have slipped.
if the ignition timing is not exactly 5deg. BTDC, THEN THE CAM HAS SLIPPED.
id check the ign timing straight away. just get better feeling about your belt.

it is very strange , that manuall application of fuel , starts car.
i suggestive of bad gas.
but my test above should help you, with looking down bore of Throttle body.

most guys just do the easy test first and then work up to timing.

I keep thinking bad gas. but it could be the belt.
it could be a bad dizzy rotor and cap or wires, these are normal tune up items and if bad will waste lots of time chasing ghosts.

ask brother for last tune up data.
including filters, and all igniton parts and belts.
history really helps in trouble shooting.

Everycar i get i check timing on the ign and cam, and the compression, straight away,just so I know the engine pumps air and set correct,then a tune up before i do any wondering about anything.
this is called a baseline.

fuel, spark and an engine that can pump air on time.
its one of those three.