No start on 98 OHC

[scottyb]

98 Limited is a no start. I have verified fuel pump operation when turning on ignition. There is fuel presssure at the rail (pushed shrader valve), but I didn't have a gauge handy. There is spark - I sprayed start fluid and it fired and ran for a few seconds. Without the shot of fluid, it does not fire at all. The battery and starter are strong, engine spins well.

I get the feeling the PCU is not firing the injectors.
I hope to get my hands on a scanner in the morning, but any thoughts in advance are greatly appeciated. From my GM knowledge, I'd first suspect cam or crank sensor, but I don't know if or where they exist on this car. Are there other items I need to suspect such as wiring, fuses, sensors, etc.

Recently, as in the past few months, I have noticed an occassional hesitation when it starts. It did it on possibly 25% of starts. It fires, but just stumbles very slightly for a few second. Wife says it's stalled a few times also, but I've never witnessed. This was on startup. I don't immediately expect this to be related.

EDIT: don't know if they made a v8 OHC, so wanted to clarify it's a v6.
Also, if it does boil down to cam or crank sensor, where are they located?

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[captTelescope]

If the cam/crank sensors were dead, you wouldn't get spark. Sounds like FI.

 

[scottyb]

If the cam/crank sensors were dead, you wouldn't get spark. Sounds like FI.

Where do you suggest I start, then? I will verify fuel pressure shortly, but since I got a squirt from the valve, I'd at least expect the engine to sputter if the pressure is low. I'm also going to hook up a noid light.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[scottyb]

35 psi at the fuel rail
OBDII scanner picks up no codes
noid light shows no injector pulse.

......

 

[captTelescope]

KOEO (Key On Engine Off), you should have 12 V on all the red injector wires. The other sides of the FIs go to the PCM.

 

[scottyb]

I realized today that the 'theft' light was a fast flash when turning on the ignition. An extensive search here and other sites pointed exclusively to "tow it to the dealer". I don't believe it can read the transponder key.

 

[Billy177]

try a different key

 

[scottyb]

My wife dropped the keys while at the supermarket and the transponder came out. She picked it up, but did not know what it was. She assumed it was already on the floor and threw it away. She lost the other key a year ago, so off to the dealer it went. I realized what was going on when the dealer called and told me there was no chip in the key.

Thanks for the replies. FWIW, EVERYONE should get 2 copies of your keys immediately. Once you lose a key, you can't make a copy on your own from the remaining key. You need 2 already programmed keys to make a new, or you have to take it to the dealer.