90' Intermittent power - Spark problem

[JerryRig]

Originally Posted by Thomas ZR-1

What about the spark plug electrode distance? Are they all similar? I gap them to 1.25 mm = 0.05 inch as Marc recommends.

They are the platnium plugs that Marc recommended on his site, I don't know the number off- hand. I did gap them to .05

[JerryRig]

I think I'm making some progress. It's been right in front of my face for awhile now, I think it's the Camshaft sensor. I had got a Code 31 in the past.

I unplugged the sensor and It seems to run great now...I ran it for 30 miles like this. Idles smooth no abnormal sounds and goes through the gears cleanly.

I cleaned the leads up a bit and zip-tied connectors together(connection seems to be a tad loose)

I just took it out for another drive with it plugged in. No SES light for at least 15 miles, runs smooth like it should.

I might be in the market for the rare Cam Sensor.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Perseverance, attention to detail and a plan pays off again!

Well done!


Marty

[RSLyrick]

Good job!

Is there anyone who can explain the connection between camshaft sensor failure and such issue ?

The book gives the following description :

This signal is used by the ECM to synchronize Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) mode of operation with the intake valve opening.

The camshaft sensor is located in the left camshaft cover/cylinder head between cylinders three and five. The sensor is a Hall-effect design with a magnet molded into one end. The Hall-effect is powered by ignition voltage and has its own ground. The left exhaust camshaft has a round reluctor wheel with one notch machined into its perimeter. The notch is used to locate cylinder #1 on it?s compression stroke. When the notch passes through the Hall-effect switch, ignition voltage to the ECM is
pulled low. The camshaft signal voltage transitions, from high to low, is a more precise indication of exactly where the intake valves are located and is used by the ECM to calculate the Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) mode of operation.

It seems more related to fuel injection than ignition.

[JerryRig]

Well, I was wrong. Come to find out the Camshaft Sensor was only part of the problem. I did get a new Camshaft Sensor installed, and the code went away; BUT the main problem came back and I called Marc to get a recommendation on what to do next. this was about 3 weeks ago and It came down to sending the ECM in to get checked out, he ran It in his own car and was able to produce the same problem.

The problem was, per Marc, "The ECM is not driving a fuel injector on the left bank."

He sent the ECM out for repair, and I got a call today saying he had received it back, and he ran It in his car and It ran flawlessly!

I'll probably get the ECM back by the end of next week and be able to test It out.

[tiegsd]

Great news!

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by JerryRig

Well, I was wrong. Come to find out the Camshaft Sensor was only part of the problem. I did get a new Camshaft Sensor installed, and the code went away; BUT the main problem came back and I called Marc to get a recommendation on what to do next. this was about 3 weeks ago and It came down to sending the ECM in to get checked out, he ran It in his own car and was able to produce the same problem.

The problem was, per Marc, "The ECM is not driving a fuel injector on the left bank."

He sent the ECM out for repair, and I got a call today saying he had received it back, and he ran It in his car and It ran flawlessly!

I'll probably get the ECM back by the end of next week and be able to test It out.

Great to hear that he sorted it out for you. You can't go wrong sending a problem to Marc for a solution. --Bob