I'm hoping somebody here can shed some light. I'm out of ideas. Car has a little over 100,000 miles on it; engine was replaced a few months ago and it's been running fine since. I was driving close to home and the car just shut off, had to have it towed.

It has spark, fuel and initial fire, but won't start. I think it's a weak spark because it floods itself. Is there any way to check mass air flow? Doesn't give any codes.

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

How is the timing belt? All the little notches still lined up? Take off the timing belt cover and give it a look. Is the belt tight?

What color is the spark? It should be bright blue, not white or yellow.

How is your fuel pressure? Has fuel and has -enough- fuel are different... Harbor Freight sells a very low cost tester.

And which year and engine is this?

 

Thanks - It's a 2004 2.4

Timing belt & head are new. I think it has something to do with the spark, it's white, but what would cause that? I've checked everything I can think of and I'm not getting anywhere.

 

sorry if it has been checked, but plug gaps are ok and wires are good?

 

Thanks - yep, just put new plugs in.

 

I've seen a weak battery cause a white spark. Charged the battery and it fired right up. That was starting of course, not running. I guess by extension it would mean low voltage is reaching the coils or the coil you are checking is bad. I've seen low output from the alternator cause weird stuff to happen also.

 

Thanks again, Hudini, I appreciate your help. I've charged the battery several times. Coils are fine - it can't be all 5. Seems to have a weak spark, has initial fire, but that's all. Any other suggestions?

 

what yr is your s40?? I would suggest checking the timing first. even if they are new, there still could be animals trap inside sometimes.

 

It's a 2004.5 s40, 2.4

I guess anything is possible, and since I'm at a loss, I'll def check out the timing again. Thanks for the tip.

 

Put a voltmeter on the battery with the car running. See if it's getting 14.4 volts.

You can also check the voltage reaching the coils by back probing the connector.

 

Thanks for your help. I back-tracked the wires and found a short. Running perfect now.