No spark with 1600 16 valve engine?

fiddy · 11-07-2009, 01:13 AM

Hey guys,
Not sure whether this topic goes in samurai or sidekick put I have recently done an engine swap taking a 1600 16 valve 1991 engine from an Escudo (Sidekick) and stuck it in my sammy.
So I've got the engine in, Everything hooked up, Took out the unnecessarys from the wiring loom and hooked it up.

It all seemed sweet as, Every plug had a home.
We tried to start it up today and the engine will turn over but it wont start running.
We took a spark plug out and pushed it against the earthed engine and it didn't spark until we stopped turning the engine over. and this would keep happening most of the time, no spark until you turn the key back.
I have checked the windings of both coils and the reading seems about right.
The only things I haven't dealt with yet is the speed sensor wire and the engine check wire. So when I turn the key none of the usual lights come on, ie fuel, oil, engine ect.

So do you have any idea what I may have missed or have done wrong with no whole no spark issue?

Cheers, Kent

Bex · 11-07-2009, 05:35 AM

As engine is from escudo, I think you are on the right page. Some excellent info on following pages, posted by our forum guru:

Cranks-but-no-start

kick-fix · 11-08-2009, 09:13 AM

can we presume you carried with you the wiring harness and ecu with the 91 EFI TBI motor?
or are you located off in NZ, UK or some place where they both had carbs.
escudo , gives me a tiny idea of location on earth.

takes 3 things for spark on stock EFI ECU.

CMP (distributor) base cam signals) to ECU.
power and grounds ( opps)
Igniter wired to ecu with coil. (did yiou check spark at coil?)

http://kick-fix.com/ECU/91-95-TBI-schematic-base.jpg

here is our connections for EFI. N.American

fiddy · 11-10-2009, 12:39 AM

Yea I am from NZ
I have the problem all sorted now.
From the original wiring loom I hooked into accessories rather than on so when ever I tried to start the engine it would turn off power to the coil until i stopped twisting the key.
Quite disappointed in myself that I managed to do that lol.
Thanks for the help

kick-fix · 11-10-2009, 12:33 PM

hah hah , a rewire. ok.
hope she runs hot and normal.