everybodys favorite past time... diagnosing ea82 starting problems

[Mechanical_misfit]

Alright folks, here it is

 

I just picked up a 1988 xt awd auto from my friend mike. I think he was posting on here as subiext or something. Here's a pic.

 

 

Anyway, here's the story.

 

Mike ran the hell out of this car, mostly on dirt roads and two-tracks. He hit a big puddle, and it started running rough (sounds like a wet disty to me). then the car clears up and runs fine until he gets home. It starts running like crap again. He does a complete tune up on it; plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and even swapped the fuel pump just in case. He couldn't come up with anything and got sick of it. :-\

 

I picked it up and put a battery back in it. It won't start. It pops a little bit and almost wants to start, but not quite. I'm planing on spending all of tomorrow on it. I'm going to start by adding some gas (worth a shot, the gauge says empty, but no orange rectangle yet). Then I'm going to start checking vacuum lines.

 

I'd like some more input for tomorrow, so if i verify that these aren't the problem, I'll have more things to try.

 

edit, i have checked timing belts, and they are intact. I guess it's possible they may have slipped? But I'm not sure how likely it is.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Mechanical_misfit

[Turbone]

3 things I can think of from the start are:

 

1. Check the rotor, the screw may have fallen out.

2. If the rotor checks out fine, check the timing belts.

3. Undoubtedly, the MAF needs cleaning.

[Mechanical_misfit]

MAF for the win... I'll make sure to take a spare one with me. Just so I won't have to clean the other one.

[Frank B]

Also pull and check ALL electric connectors under the hood for water.

[Mechanical_misfit]

problem solved! It did jump time, so i guess I'll have to do timing belts.

[Cougar]

I think there is a connection you have to make before you can check the timing. You may be aware of that possibly.

[True2Blue]

i wanted to be the hero dangit. i was jumpin my wagon on the back roads n jumped right into a deep puddle. charcholed the disty and slipped the t-belt i did the same new everything wouldnt start i felt like a failure... waited a week i was having withdraws and decided to mess with the t-belts.. and it came to life:rolleyes:

 

now when i jump the rig we roll in we break the u-joints to the t-case (ASV armored security vehicle tank on tires)

 

lol cool u got it tho