1996 Tracker won't start

on_mitch · 10-30-2009, 01:18 PM

Hi everyone

I parked my 1996 1.6 L, 16 valve, 2 door, 2 wheel drive Tracker for a couple of months and now it won't start.

I checked all the obvious gas in the tank, spark, fuel pressure, there is power to the injectors but the won't fire.

Could this be the PCM any ideas?

Thanks On_mitch

Bex · 10-30-2009, 02:31 PM

Well, I'm not sure how long it takes for gas to go bad, or condensation to occur, but perhaps you should try putting a little gas directly in injector and see if it will start off of that. If so, than perhaps your gas is bad. Also when you turn the key to start position, does CEL lamp say on? If so, you should see if the ECU is throwing codes. Check out The KickFix Repair Pages, for Sidekicks and Trackers for hints about car not starting, etc.

on_mitch · 10-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Ya all good points.

Yes it does start with when I spray quick start in and the CEL does not come at all, that is why I'm thinking it's PCM

On_mitch

billsmartis · 10-30-2009, 07:46 PM

It wouldn't start at all if it was the PCM. Check fuel system,fuel pressure #1 at end of fuel rail then go from there.

Bill S.

on_mitch · 10-30-2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks to all for your help

My mechanic is doing some work on it for me and he said he had good fuel pressure, spark and power at the injectors, but no ground at the injectors.

It was like the ECM wasn't sending a signal to the injectors to fire.

????????

Bex · 10-31-2009, 06:22 AM

First, for the fuel system, the ground is behind the left rear tail light. This is notorious for getting all rusty, so you should check there when fuel problem. I had no injection last year (Q101/102 transistor in ECU fried up due to short in injector wire) but ECU never threw any codes...just burnt out..twice. All due to a shorted wire. Here is list of all grounds on car: common-failures.
For future help, The KickFix Repair Pages, for Sidekicks and Trackers is a great site, deals with all problems.

on_mitch · 10-31-2009, 07:09 AM

Thanks

I just downloaded the list of ground points from Jerry's site. Guess what I am doing this weekend.

On_mitch

billsmartis · 10-31-2009, 09:09 AM

I don't know if the positive or negative is controlled by the ECM maybe Jerry will chime in on this. Our vehicles are known for ground problems so poke around on the site to find out where they are for a start. Could be injector transistors or bad grounds. Keep us abreast of your solution.

Bill S.

on_mitch · 10-31-2009, 04:25 PM

Thanks
I have down loaded the list of grounding screw locations from Jerry's site, but I won't have the truck back until Monday or Tuesday.
Til then I will post anything thast I find out though.

On_mitch

kick-fix · 10-31-2009, 10:03 PM

ok , car cranks but wont start.
you have spark and test fuel makes it run then stop (good.)
a noid light test will fail
the fuel pressure is good says a mechanic( the ole' feel test or real with a guage ????)
qustions.

key on, CEL on? Not starting or cranking, just KEY ON.?
is battery charged and over 12.5vdc./

yes the injectors are hot full time if key is on and fuse is not blown.
the ECU grounds them gang or sequentially as needed.

THE ecu WILL KILL INJECTION SIGS (grounding transistors they are)
for the following reasons. ?

1: loss of power
2: loss of ground (really same as 1)
3: TPS wiper pin stuck at 3.5 to 5vdc signaling WOT all the time and unflood demand. (kills injection)
4: spark feed back device bad (supressor module ) rare, 1 fail in 2 years , here.

cranking motor with OBD2 scan or reader connected to DLC above right knee will
show DTC codes ,for loss of any major inputs.

Im sure ECU is ok. very strong on 96.

A noid lite test is the failing path.

if the noid passes, then the injectors are full of varnish and the 10micron screens in them are full of this crap.

NOID test must not be skipped in all MPI testing.

key test.

cheers.