'96 Tracker Stalled and doesn't hit when turning over.

TrackerTim · 04-08-2009, 08:45 PM

I finished replacing the clutch on my '96 Tracker and was test driving around the neighborhood when the car stalled. Now when I try to crank it over, it is not hitting at all and floods the plugs. I did however, reverse the O2 sensor leads (two black leads) when putting the exhaust back together (accidently). It is the sensor after the cat. This is a 1.6l 16 valve 4X4. Anyone have ideas as to why? Thanks.

TrackerTim · 04-08-2009, 11:30 PM

Thanks Jerry. I just went out to try starting it again with no luck. I was reading your flooding engine page on your website and tried the gas pedal letting air into the mixture test. I let on the gas pedal just a tad bit and was able to hit once and thats it. I'll let the car sit for the night and tomorrow see if i am getting a spark. I will also check fuses as well. I sure hope I didn't blow up the ECU.

Thanks again.

CodyJ · 04-09-2009, 10:44 AM

Wouldn't he of only maybe blown a cap and could be saved? This is rare though but slight chance of hope to you to fix it!

TrackerTim · 04-09-2009, 04:04 PM

I got a obd2 scanner and the car is throwing out a p0141 code. It is not getting a spark either.

TrackerTim · 04-09-2009, 04:20 PM

I'm sorry, it does have a spark. It is a orange/red color. Does that mean bad coil? I'm thinking my coil is integrated into the distributor. Any thoughts?

TrackerTim · 04-10-2009, 11:15 PM

Ok, I did a tuneup and was able to get the car running. I rehooked the rear o2 sensor up and seemed to be running normal. Checked plug gaps on old plugs and they were at .05 and recommended is .028. Test drove a little while and CEL lite up. Got home and noticed that the car is misfiring and a arcing sound coming from inside the distributor cap. Took off distributor cap and did not see burn marks on distributor cap or rotor cap. I did not get new plug wires unless I was silly enough to fork over $70.00

Would this be another symptom of bad o2 sensor. I will replace it. Just need a good assurance that o2 is bad and finally stop spending so much $$$. Thanks.

TrackerTim · 04-10-2009, 11:45 PM

The only thing that I disconnected was the distributor cap. Did not move the distributor. The guy at the parts store looked at me like i was a nut job when i told him there was no way in H E L L I was paying 70 bucks for a set of plug wires. lol RockAuto, thx for the tip. I do have a meter. What is the range I should be looking at?

TrackerTim · 04-11-2009, 12:29 AM

Thanks for looking that up for me, I'll check them tomorrow and just end up getting that set off RockAuto. P.O. was a hillbilly farmer that gave me the impression that maintenance was not on the priority list for the Tracker. I do like the no rust on the car though. Thats what made me get this Tracker. I cleaned out the squirrel cage today. Oh what was clogged in that thing makes you wonder what in the world was he doing to that thing.

TrackerTim · 04-11-2009, 01:03 PM

I tested wires and results are:
10.9
9.25
7.34 kohms
last and shorted lead I was getting nothing. I am not getting continuity either. Bad wire.?

TrackerTim · 04-12-2009, 09:30 AM

I'm sorry. I was in a hurry when posting last reply. I mistyped and did not catch it. I meant to say: last plug wire and the shortest wire of the four was open. The meter I have is digital voltmeter and is a fixed range. I was on the 20k omega symbol setting. When the plug wire was not reading anything on the ohms setting, I put the setting to the continuity beep setting just to see if the two ends of the plug wire were even connected.
I ended up calling other part houses nearby and found one selling bosch plug wires for fourty dollars. SOLD. Put new plugs in and car seems to run fine now. No misfires and engine is smooth at idle and under load. Bad plug wire was the culprit. Checked obd2 and no codes thus far. Should I test anything else?