This is going to be a shot in the dark (and a bad ramble) because it could be so many things, but here goes. I just finished up doing a bunch on the truck...new timing belt/water pump/fan bracket&clutch, starter, alternator, and adding a TRD supercharger, which is basically a glorified manifold swap mechanically.
Finished it tonight and went to start it up and it won't quite fire. It turns over just fine for a few seconds, then kind of surges like it's going to fire, then it lays down and starts cranking again. A couple things to note
1) I'm trying to start it with the air box off (open throttle body), but with the MAF sensor plugged in, because I was going to do an Amsoil Power Foam treatment before changing the plugs out (yes, should have done that before I tore it down!) It should still start like that, no?
2) speaking of power foam, I cleaned the intake runners in the heads with it when the intake was off, and I could definitely see all the smoke from that stuff burning off when I first started cranking it, so I'm getting spark while cranking anyway. I pulled all the plugs and cleaned them, cranked it a while with them out and will leave it open all night in case that was the issue.
3) the pattern of cranking a while then surging like it's trying to fire, before laying down and starting to crank again is super consistent, like on a timer. It reminds me of an old car with a broken ignition switch, like it can't support itself electrically when it's not in the "start" position if you're familiar with old ignition switches. Does that point to anything?
All my experience is with old Ford and Chevy carbureted muscle cars, so troubleshooting cars with fuel injection, ECUs etc is definitely not my strong suit. Assuming this doesn't resolve itself with letting the cylinders dry out overnight, any tips on how I should start diagnosing this mess? Is there an easy way to make sure I'm getting fuel? My gut tells me I'm just missing a connector somewhere, but went over it all tonight and I'm not seeing it. The only possible issue I saw was the ground wire that used to go to the engine lift bracket is still off...does anyone know if it's a basic block to body ground strap, or does it maybe route back to something in the ignition or fuel system? Will obviously find a home for it tomorrow, it as getting dark when I spotted it.
Sorry, that was a terrible, rambling post with a million questions, just tired and hoping to wake up tomorrow to a list of "maybe check this..." ideas
Finished it tonight and went to start it up and it won't quite fire. It turns over just fine for a few seconds, then kind of surges like it's going to fire, then it lays down and starts cranking again. A couple things to note
1) I'm trying to start it with the air box off (open throttle body), but with the MAF sensor plugged in, because I was going to do an Amsoil Power Foam treatment before changing the plugs out (yes, should have done that before I tore it down!) It should still start like that, no?
2) speaking of power foam, I cleaned the intake runners in the heads with it when the intake was off, and I could definitely see all the smoke from that stuff burning off when I first started cranking it, so I'm getting spark while cranking anyway. I pulled all the plugs and cleaned them, cranked it a while with them out and will leave it open all night in case that was the issue.
3) the pattern of cranking a while then surging like it's trying to fire, before laying down and starting to crank again is super consistent, like on a timer. It reminds me of an old car with a broken ignition switch, like it can't support itself electrically when it's not in the "start" position if you're familiar with old ignition switches. Does that point to anything?
All my experience is with old Ford and Chevy carbureted muscle cars, so troubleshooting cars with fuel injection, ECUs etc is definitely not my strong suit. Assuming this doesn't resolve itself with letting the cylinders dry out overnight, any tips on how I should start diagnosing this mess? Is there an easy way to make sure I'm getting fuel? My gut tells me I'm just missing a connector somewhere, but went over it all tonight and I'm not seeing it. The only possible issue I saw was the ground wire that used to go to the engine lift bracket is still off...does anyone know if it's a basic block to body ground strap, or does it maybe route back to something in the ignition or fuel system? Will obviously find a home for it tomorrow, it as getting dark when I spotted it.
Sorry, that was a terrible, rambling post with a million questions, just tired and hoping to wake up tomorrow to a list of "maybe check this..." ideas
