up n' died

97SVX_SCV · #1 03-10-2007, 07:59 AM

Hello:
I bought the factory service manual and an ACTRON thinking that would be enough to care for my 97 SVX.
My girlfriend was driving the car last Monday and it up an' quit: no noises, no warning lights, no overheat. Now it cranks but won't start - either no spark or no fuel typically would cause this behavior. [could it be as simple as a fuel filter?]
Any advice? The manual says that the fuel pump or the MPFI are most suspect, but somehow the diagnostics part of MPFI is MISSING from the CDROM manual [a separate issue] and I really don't want to start buying expensive tools or rip out the back seat.
Thanks in advance,
Ozzie

ensteele · #2 03-10-2007, 08:53 AM

It is easy to take the back seat out. The inspection plate is right there as well. Look in the How-To docs to find out about the pump. Good luck.

ShiuludeSVX · #3 03-10-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

It is easy to take the back seat out. The inspection plate is right there as well. Look in the How-To docs to find out about the pump. Good luck.

Can you hear the pump running when you turn the key, prior to start position?

I have a Buick that went through that twice. The Buick is much different than the SVX, but food for thought.
The first time, it turned out {after much trying}, that there is a Reluctor on the Crank, and a Sensor that recieves a magnetic command, which in turn tells the ignition when to send a spark.
When the car threw the serpentine belt, it ate the Reluctor, and the Sensor.

Second time was warranty because my mechanic applied the wrong torque values.

You may find that the coils will all test out fine. I would be surprised if any of us could loose more than half of the coils all at once.

I admit, that I don't know the SVX ignition system very well at all, so I invite any input to my thoughts.
You did pick the right place to ask for help, that's for sure.

Hocrest · #4 03-10-2007, 09:27 AM

Is it giving any codes? Run the self check for stored codes to see if it shows anything. If so write them down, clear them, crank some more and check for codes again.

Yeah, the back seat is easy to remove, once out you should definately be able to hear the fuel pump. After that, the easiest thing it to check is for fuel pressure. After cranking for a little, loosen the fuel hose in the engine bay, between the fuel filter and where it attaches over on the intake manifold.

CAUTION!!!!
If you do have fuel pressure here, some fuel should come out at this point, have safety glasses, rags, extinguishers, NO butts, etc.
If this line is dry and your fuel pump is pumping, then either your filter or a line is blocked.

TomsSVX · #5 03-10-2007, 01:21 PM

turn the key foward to the on position but don't start it. The fuel pump should cycle for around 30 seconds. If you can hear it, move on. I am gonna take a stab at saying it is probobly a crank/cam sensor went south. Also, check your timing belt didn't break

Tom

97SVX_SCV · #6 03-14-2007, 07:38 AM

OK, Guys, Thanks for all the help. Looks like you are consensing <?> that I have a fuel pump problem. Also, maybe a crank sensor - god knows I have spent $$$$k on sensors. And no - the Actron says all is well:no codes.
I will check these tips out and let y'all know the outcome.

CB

dwd1985 · #7 03-14-2007, 07:21 PM

This may be a dumb question, but it has to be asked. I am sure that more then likely you checked for this already, but...
Do you have gas in the tank? It is possible that your feul gauge is broken, and maybe you're out of gas.

budbaer · #8 03-14-2007, 08:34 PM

I just had the same problem just a few weeks ago. My fuel gauge is broken so we keep track of the mileage. After cursing the kids from the block for stealing my gas as I walked to the nearest gas station but that wasn't my problem. I figured the fuel pump and had the car taken to my guy to fix it. He showed codes for both a crank sensor and a cam sensor (now we are getting expensive). He had a SVX motor in the back of his shop and found the sensors on it (charged me $20 ea). After replacing the sensors it runs like a top. I was sure it was the fuel pump but the mechanic said that SVX fuel pumps are almost bullet proof.

ensteele · #9 03-14-2007, 10:26 PM

I don't think that I have heard of more than one fuel pump going south before. I would look at the other options first.

lhopp77 · #10 03-16-2007, 12:25 AM

A broken timing belt would fit the same failure discription as indicated by Tom.

Lee

97SVX_SCV · #11 03-25-2007, 08:36 AM

Thanks to all for encouragement and advice. We're back on the road.
I fretted for a while and tried to find time, finally getting into it yesterday.

Here's a couple lessons learned:
1) you don't have to remove the back seat to access the fuel pump, though it is quite easy to remove the jump seat panel
2) my fuel pump is real quiet [and I think I have hearing loss from rock music], and really can't be heard UNLESS the access plate is removed
3) a system reboot is probably the best first action with _any_ SVX electrical problem

When I started analyzing the problem yesterday I found that there was some local 'ticking' under hood when the key was ON. Thinking it might be the root cause I began to analyze this. It seemed local to the EGR valve on the right side of the engine. I disconnected the battery and reconnected it and the ticking went away so I did not analyze it further. I then tried to listen for fuel pump runup to pressure when the key is turned ON, could not hear it, removed the carpet attachment to the folddown seatbacks and accessed the fuel pump - indeed it was not running up to pressure. I then disconneted and examined the connector for any discoloration or damage - none found. Reconnected it to verify the condition and -VOILA!!- it runs up to pressure now. Twist the key temporarily for another 90 degrees and IT'S ALIVE!

One thing I noted when I [unnecessarily] removed the jump seat was that in two locations [each about 1 inch diameter], the seat cushion underneath was discolored - as if from heat. I believe the discoloration is probably local to the electrical cable pass thru for the oxygen sensors, just beneath our passenger's outboard haunch. I pray nobody has experienced any safety concern in the long term from this.

I took some Griot's polishing clay to it yesterday and I'll post a picture of the car, all shiny, later today after the sun comes up.

Thanks again.

Ozzie