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Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!

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Offline ack

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Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« on: August 05, 2005, 12:37:59 PM »
Okay, the '93 4 door Sidekick is back together, but it won't run.

(background:  buggered crankshaft caused by moron |removethispart|@ "Buy Here Pay Here" used car lot that I bought the Kick from [$500.00!] forced engine removal and re-installation.  All the parts in baggies except for exhaust are now empty and the contents restored to their former location.  I was really ANAL about parts orgainization).

When I turn the key to run, there is a relay down by the fusebox next to the doorframe that clicks. The dash "idiot" lights dim, then brighten to the relay clicking.

When I try to start it, the starter turns it over, but no go.

There is a half tank of gas in it (it has been sitting since March). The fuel line has been open for a while (about two months) when the engine was being rebuilt & I was getting the engine in and out.

#1 sparkplug is dry and clean like it was when installed new two days ago.

Any sugesstions/ideas?


Also, they had a gadget patched into the electrical system under the dash that caused the engine to not start by some sort of timing device -- a way to make the customer show up once a month to make the payment.  Spliced wires appear to have good connection and matching colors.  I'll double-check it though...
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline zaggy

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2005, 12:49:21 PM »
I suggest back to basics....

When in doubt I follow the SUCK/SQUEEZE/BANG/BLOW theory

SUCK.......................Is it getting fuel?
SQUEEZE.................It's got compression and you are sure the cam timing is right?
BANG.......................Do you have spark? If you do is the distributor in right? Firing order?
BLOW......................Exhaust isn't plugged, everythings hooked up?

I find when I have a problem child if I go through this drill it gets me into the zone at least and then I can figure it out.

It's amazing how many times I miss something simple.

Hope it helps.

Zag
92 Sidekick 4dr, Suzuki Powered Airplane

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Offline ack

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2005, 12:57:35 PM »
The clicking sound I think is related to the fuel pump as there is an in-step clicking from the rear.

exhaust not blocked -- there's nothing attached after the downpipe.

Rebuilt head with reground valve seats -- assume that compression is okay.

That leaves fuel and spark.

I guess I could detach the line to the injector rail to see if fuel is actually getting there.

I hate checking for spark  >:(   I got this thing about high voltages....

Thanks for the tips!
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline zaggy

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2005, 01:09:34 PM »
You don't like getting shock?

     Me too....use insulated pliers and hold them with a rubber dish glove, haven't got a shock in a while since I started doing that.

Or when I am in the shop I do something real rash....I hook up the timing light, if it don't flash there ain't no spark.

I would unhook the fuel line (carefully) and check for fuel delivery to the injector rail (carefully).

Don't forget, even if you have fuel check to see if injectors are firing.

Zag
92 Sidekick 4dr, Suzuki Powered Airplane

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2005, 02:55:51 PM »
Clicking sound is most likely the Fuel Pump relay. I'm thinking cam timing is 180 degrees out, it seems to happen quite often.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline ack

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2005, 06:29:44 PM »
Clicking sound is most likely the Fuel Pump relay. I'm thinking cam timing is 180 degrees out, it seems to happen quite often.

I think you are right about the fuel pump, there is a clicking from towards the rear in sync with the relay.  Wiring diagrams "suggest" that it is the fuel pump relay...

When I put the timing belt on I made sure that the marks "pointed" up on both the cam sprocket and the crank sprocket. 

Please don't make me take all that apart...  :(

I'll double-check the distributor for proper positioning...
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline paps133

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2005, 07:43:21 PM »
I suggest back to basics....

When in doubt I follow the SUCK/SQUEEZE/BANG/BLOW theory

SUCK.......................Is it getting fuel?
SQUEEZE.................It's got compression and you are sure the cam timing is right?
BANG.......................Do you have spark? If you do is the distributor in right? Firing order?
BLOW......................Exhaust isn't plugged, everythings hooked up?


Hope it helps.

Zag
I like that theory, i'll tell my ex girl friend that see she what s says. Just kidding

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2005, 09:39:25 PM »
Quote
When I put the timing belt on I made sure that the marks "pointed" up on both the cam sprocket and the crank sprocket

That's your problem, the cam should have been at the 6'O clock
position, don't ask me why, it just is the way it is.

Your distributor is 180* out, fix that and barring any more
problems she will run

Wild
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline mrfuelish

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2005, 12:42:49 AM »
He must'a  bought a hat.  ;D
« Last Edit: August 06, 2005, 12:46:19 AM by mrfuelish »
1987,1988,1988,1990 samurai's,  1953 m38a1,  1996 x-90,blue.1996 x-90 red.1994 2 door tracker.   only Dead Fish go with the flow.                No Hairy Nosed Wombats were ran over on the trail today.       My ZUK is Xenophobic.

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Offline ack

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2005, 01:45:53 PM »
Your distributor is 180* out, fix that and barring any more
problems she will run

Wild


So you are saying if I wire the distributor 180 degrees from the current starting point (1-3-4-2 starting with the socket opposite the original #1 socket) it should work?

Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline bandit86

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #10 on: August 06, 2005, 03:27:10 PM »
yes
TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO JEEP HAS GONE BEFORE!

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2005, 09:50:11 PM »
On my distributor, your red in my normal.

You really need to find TDC firing #1 to be
sure and get the wires on right, and you
need to check the timing to be sure the
distributor is re stabbed in the right spot

The easiest way to get firing TDC #1 is to
pull the valve cover, and turn the crank to
TDC and check your valves, this would be a
good time to adjust, or check the adjustment
of the valves, both rockers on #1 (front cylinder)
should be a little loose, and you should hear a
slight ticking when wiggled, if not they are tight or
on the intake stroke, you can look at the cam lobes
too, when they are pointing down it should be firing

Good Luck
Wild
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline Gary_Hill

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2005, 11:23:53 PM »
Nothing for me to add...as if I actually had something to add. You should be running soon  :)

When you are at TDC #1 and the Dizzy is in correctly ( and the timing belt is on correctly ) , the rotar will point at red # 1 wire on the cap...think thats right...hell I probably need to quit thinking...getting too old for that too :-\ ;)

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Offline ack

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Re: Rebuilt Sidekick wont start!
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2005, 08:12:58 PM »
Sunday evening, 8:15 08-06-05


DO'H!

While poking around the rear of the engine, Much to my suprise I found two sets of wires terminating with round bolt connectors begging to be grounded!

A quick look at the wiring pictorial in the '96 FSM revealed they connect to the rear side of the intake case. Some sanding of surfaces and the application of a 10mm socket and voila! dash indicators no longer flicker! YAY!

Cranking the engine caused intermittant sputtering with either plug wiring configuration: Red or Blue

First thing tomorrow after Discovery lands (ok, I'm gonna wait until sunrise as the landing is 3 am in the morning), I'm gonna recruit some help to check the timing which may be a tad off and get this sucka to the muffler shop!

Thanks all! ;D
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline ack

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Rebuilt Sidekick NOW RUNS!
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2005, 08:52:49 AM »
Okay, here is some handy timing information for you TracKick folks:

(the engine described below is a '93 1.6 16 valve.  '95 and later may be different)

First of all, if you have Fuel Injection, there is only one way to set the timing!

Here is what I did:

When I installed the new timing belt, I did it by the book(s).  I lined up the cam sprocket so that the mark pointed UP at the mark on the top of the timing belt case. I turned the crank clockwise until the mark on the crank timing belt gear pointed up and was aligned with the mark on the oil pump case.

When I lost #1 top dead center while screwing with the distributor position (I removed the distributor when removing the engine), here is the procedure I used to get compression/ignition TDC on #1:

Using my compression testing gage on #1 cyl., I hand cranked the engine until pressure reached the maximum stopping at TDC.

I adjusted the distributor (you may need to remove it and turn the shaft one or two splines ) so that the rotor was pointing at the connector on the distributor marked "1".

Then I wired the spark plugs in COUNTER-CLOCKWISE order so the end result was "1342"

Using a timing light, I adjusted the distributor until I got the engine to run right.

It is important to note that the injection system is triggered by the ECM.  This means that you can wire the spark plugs 180 degrees if you want, but the engine WILL NOT run.  If the engine was carbureted or even TBI, the situation would be different.

Hope this helps!
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com