98 OB died on road...need advice->>update

[bgambino]

-->>the humming sound from the tranny sounds like it is right inside the pan...put my ear to it

Prior to driving it that night...I had topped off the tranny fluid a little more than I liked so I took a very small soft tubing and guided it down the filler neck several times to withdraw some fluid (I mention this but I don't see a real connection to the car dying on me later and not starting)---

I went out this afternoon and tried to start it---it started for like 3 seconds...ran like crap..then stalled and would not start again---tried some starter fluid...nothing

any clues?

Got the battery off to charge i

Will that erase any codes that might have been there???

**************

Hey guys

 

I'll try to be brief on the history

I bought this OB 2.5 DOHC w/ auto tranny with blown HG's...nice car otherwise

Did HG's last year and bought all new idlers, tensioner, WP, wires , plugs, filters PCV--had heads done...lots of stuff--has 135K

Car ran great

A month later , bottom end of motor was making a knock---so I parked it

This fall I decided to buy a short block from CCR

Just put it on the raod and was running like a dream today

Drove about 20 miles

Took kids to go bowling tonite and she just died...almost like out of gas...but full tank

She would crank but not start

The cranking sound seemed a bit odd...kid of a fast-slow kind of rythm---but maybe I was reading more into it

Had it towed home....tried to start again...just cranked over

 

I shut the key off and looked in the eng compartment--I could hear a very faint hum with the key off

Sounded like it was from the TPS (I think thats what it is---has a hold down screw which the part can pivot for adjustment)--it's close to the intake snout on the pass side

This sound went off after a minute

 

Oh...I did turn the key on and off and could hear the fuel pump 3 second hum

 

Then...I turn the key on and heard a louder hum and it is coming somewhere down near the tranny ---and it does not stop until I turn key off

 

I think I remember the AT Temp lite on dash blinking prior to that with key on (not with car running----this was after car was towed home)

 

Any help getting my baby running would be so great

It's rare that I end up buying a car and sinking more into it than it is worth---this one is a little over that point now...but I have a new engine....

Edited December 7, 2008 by bgambino
update information

[idosubaru]

if the AT light is blinking 16 times at start up then the TCU has a code, get that code. either have it read ($75 ish from a shop) or try and coax the code out yourself (tricky sequence of events).

 

idle control valves typically hum a lot and don't cause any problems, but i've never had to deal with the idle control mechanism on an EJ engine so i'm not familiar with those (yet!!).

 

how long have you driven since installing the new engine?

 

my first hunch (based on very little) is that the inhibitor switch is hosed, check the linkage and the parts on it. some of them only have plastic tabs and stuff which can crack. they usually dont but with all the trans and engine work who knows. it's the only electric doohicky on the passsengers side bottom of the trans. it's what moves when the shifter is moved inside the cabin.

[bgambino]

Gary

 

thanks

 

I have only driven it about 25 miles ...I will go under it and look for that "inhibitor" switch and see if anything looks broken

Any idea what it costs? And this will shut down the engine?

 

A guy at work has a reader so I will get it tuesday

And I'll turn the car over again and see if that AT lite blinks again

[Cougar]

If the starter works ok then I don't see how the inhibitor switch is a problem. You really need to find out if the ignition system is working by checking for spark to the plugs. If that is ok then try spraying some starter fluid into the intake and see if the engine tries to fire then.

[crockettbrat]

I agree with gary about the hum on the engine. It will be the idle air control valve. Its right next to the tps and mine hums for a minute too. Its a little round thing attached to the intake manifold with a grey plastic top with a 1 2 3 on top right by the plug.

 

Good luck.

 

Daniel