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engine won't start
72RSbug - September 22nd, 2005 at 04:38 AM

tried getting my EJ20TT going today, first noticed the spark plugs were totally black so cleaned them up and checked them, they were still good.

Engine wouldn't start, didn't get a spark, then grounded the engine itself and the ECU box still nothing.

weird thing is the spark plug we checked had a spark 2 or 3 times in maybe 20 tries and wen it sparked the engine didn't seem to want to start on 3 cylinders like you would assume.

Anyone have any ideas?

maybe a wiring diagram I could use to check all the wiring (nothing on the TT engine available over here)

pete wood - September 22nd, 2005 at 11:11 AM

Sounds like the issues I have had. I think there is some sort of wiring fault or crank angle fault. But i am stuffed If I can trace it properly. It's just not consistent. Try wriggling some wire around the coil pack, seems to work for me.

72RSbug - September 22nd, 2005 at 02:28 PM

Could you check were the krank angle sensor hooks up to the ECU please?(then I can check my loom, it was modified by someone else).

If say the crank angle sensor isn't hooked up, the engine will not start at all or should it?

pete wood - September 22nd, 2005 at 05:42 PM

the sensor is a 2 pin plug that connects to the engine right on top of the case above the crank pulley. What I am thinking is that an intermittant issue with the crank angle sensor could cause what you are talking about. That way, the ECU isn't get enough pulses to know where it is properly and get the timing right.

72RSbug - September 23rd, 2005 at 12:44 AM

Thanks but I was referring to were the sensor's wiring hooks up to te computer actually.

Also, when I turned on the ignition key the wires from the exhaust sensor closest to the engine (catalist converter or lambda I don't know what it is) got really hot immediately and I disconnected the sensor.

72RSbug - September 23rd, 2005 at 12:47 AM

forgot to ask: the boost controller (right side of the engine) has a connector that I don't have on the modified loom (propably a mistake by howerer modded it). What ECU wires can I hook that up to please?

pete wood - September 23rd, 2005 at 10:31 AM

I'm afraid, this is where I can't help you much, I have an N/A EJ25. What year and model exactly is ya motor? Maybe someone has a diagram for it.

72RSbug - September 23rd, 2005 at 02:23 PM

engine is an EJ20TT from (I believe) 1999, is a JDM motor

72RSbug - September 24th, 2005 at 06:17 AM

She runs :party

turns out way to much air came in through some turbo vacuum lines that weren't hooked up and also a few faults in the wiring wiuch are now solved.

The sound is absolutely fantastic, still need to sort out a few thing before I can take her for her first test drive, can't wait :)

72RSbug - September 25th, 2005 at 06:03 PM

ok, next issue: when the engine is cold it will only fire up after maybe 10-15 tries and when it's warm it starts up immediately.
Could this have something to do with not having a VSS installed yet?
The knock sensor isn't hooked up yet either because I don't know what wires on the ECU it connects to.

72RSbug - September 26th, 2005 at 04:44 AM

took it for a little test drive this evening, car felt very, very fast and brutal but after a few stop and go's (as slowly as I could and still burning rubber with that new clutch).the engine wouldn't start again.
turned out the engine had pulled itself away from the gearbox a few millimeters and the starter couldn't reach the flywheel anymore.

1303 - October 3rd, 2005 at 07:58 AM

72RSbug,

The exhaust sensor that you disconnected it supposed to get hot, it is heated in order to get to and stay at the correct operating temperature.
Better reconnect that sensor otherwise the ECU cant compensate for weak or rich mixtures.

Cheers Paul