3.8 no spark help

[wicked_gk]

hey guys im new to the forums and got a starting problem with my 3.8l '96 camaro.
its not getting any spark at the plugs...

ive checked the fuses, relays, VATS (bypassed), starter, fuel pump, vacuum, ground, battery connections and replaced MAF.

cranks but wont start The last time before it ran was before I overhauled the suspension. I disconnected the ABS connections and it wouldnt start after.

if anyone has tips or advice please help!

[wicked_gk]

sorry i posted this in wrong section. can an admin move it? thanks

[bszopi]

First off, welcome. Secondly, you actually DIDN'T post in the wrong section, as the 3.8L is NOT a 60-degree V6, therefore its considered off-topic. With that said, hopefully someone can still help you out.

My thought would be to check the crank position sensor, as it is required to be working in order to get spark.

[wicked_gk]

First off, welcome. Secondly, you actually DIDN'T post in the wrong section, as the 3.8L is NOT a 60-degree V6, therefore its considered off-topic. With that said, hopefully someone can still help you out.

My thought would be to check the crank position sensor, as it is required to be working in order to get spark.

thanks im new to domestic cars so didnt know where to post. Ill check out the crank sensor this weekend just removing the harmonic balancer seems like a pain lol

[bszopi]

I don't know 90V6s very well, but I would venture to guess that the CPS you need to worry about is in the side of the block, not behind the balancer. I could be wrong, though...

Yep, looks like I am. This might be of some help, though. http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_ig...n_module_1.php

[pocket-rocket]

thanks im new to domestic cars so didnt know where to post. Ill check out the crank sensor this weekend just removing the harmonic balancer seems like a pain lol

If you go to Advance Auto Parts, you can rent their balancer puller and installer kit. It looks like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Alltrade-648616-Harmonic-Balancer-Installation/dp/B0028QGTO0/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

It runs about $100, but you get every penny back when you return it.

Balancers can be a pain to remove depending on if there's enough room in there to get a puller, but being in an F body, you should have plenty of room once you remove the fan and fan shroud. You will want to get a kit like I mentioned to reinstall the pulley vs beating it on with a hammer. You can damage the balancer and the internals of your engine beating it on, so you will want to do it the right way with that kit.

[wicked_gk]

thanks for the info guys. Ill deff try the steps from this site http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_ig...n_module_1.php
i also noticed my crankshaft sensor was all wet from a crack in the power steering reservoir. ill post up whatever i find this weekend

[wicked_gk]

was looking on the car today and found out the TPS was bad. I took it off and cleaned it and it started for a second then died. Ill see if a new one will fix the problem

[Superdave]

if that doesn't work try to unplug the MAF and see what happens... I've seen new ones out of the box bad and cause a car not to start.


If you don't have spark then it's either the CPS or the ICM, Autozone can test the ICM for free and you can test the CPS with a multimeter. the 60v6 ones are 980 ohms, i'd suspect the 90v6 ones to be the same or similar.

[wicked_gk]

the new TPS didnt help a bit and disconnecting the MAF didnt do anything either. Ill check the resistance on the CPS next

[wicked_gk]

well i got spark but it still doesnt start. I can smell the fuel but it still doesnt fire up. Going to install a new fuel filter and a fuel pressure test