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Hello, 1st post-trying to get the Z started

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Old Oct 4, 2010 | 12:46 PM
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Hello, 1st post-trying to get the Z started

16 year old daughter bought a 79 coupe to restore. PO said it was running two years ago when the windows stopped working and he parked it.
Yeah right
So after fixing several wiring issues and replacing a leaking coil I still get no spark at the plugs. What should I check next?
Thanks!
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 01:13 PM
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are you getting voltage to the coil? Other things needed to check on the s130 are the fuel pressure at the rail. Vacuum. download the fsm from xenon website do google search you will find it. Read up on the beast. when you have some more data other than it doesn't start try another post with your results.
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 01:43 PM
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I have the FSM. I have 11 volts at the coil +. Ignition module? There is one on the parts car (83)
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by garretthes
I have the FSM. I have 11 volts at the coil +. Ignition module? There is one on the parts car (83)
Are you sure you are not getting any spark to the plugs?

Inb4
Originally Posted by NismoPick
A motor needs 3 things to start:
-proper air
-proper fuel
-proper spark
Congrats on your daughters S130, can't begin to tell you how exited I was when I picked mine up =)
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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Yes I'm pretty sure there is no spark. I pulled several plug wires while starting and there was no spark arcing to the plug. No matter how close in I moved the wire it never arced. Should I put a meter on the wires?
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by garretthes
Yes I'm pretty sure there is no spark. I pulled several plug wires while starting and there was no spark arcing to the plug. No matter how close in I moved the wire it never arced. Should I put a meter on the wires?
Spark plug wires are a decent gauge, power should be moving through them, no matter what age. If you replaced the coil and it still isnt sparking, go further backwards through the system <.<

That is if you know for sure your air and fuel system is working correctly.

My $00.02.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 09:47 AM
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I removed the fuel return line, hit the starter and nothing came out. There was just a trace of fuel when I pulled it off. Something is NOT right. I wish there was a mechanic in Murfreesboro that could help me out for $$
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 10:09 AM
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I also noticed I don't get any movement on the tach when I try to start it
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 10:10 AM
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So check the power to the fuel pump.

Also, is that a Dodge Panel Wagon in your avatar? My bro has a 66? Dodge Panel Wagon dubbed "Big Orange Beast":

Old Oct 5, 2010 | 10:50 AM
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Unfortunately I'm buy myself and it only gets power when the starter is running or the engine runs. I did finally notice some fuel coming out. It stinks too. I added 2 gallons of fresh fuel but it still smells like kerosene or something. May need to add more new gas.

The truck in my avatar is a 59 Apache Suburban.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 10:59 AM
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Sounds like the injectors may be varnished over.

Throw a new fuel filter on it, and a 1/2 a can of Seafoam in the tank along with a few more gallons of new gas. Try and start it. The Seafoam will dissipate any water that condensed in the fuel tank and clean up the fuel system. It may smoke a little, but that's normal.

How old is the battery? You may need to change it out as well.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 05:09 PM
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Battery is new. I will pick up some seafoam in the am. But I'm not getting spark from the coil.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 06:21 PM
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I'm getting voltage to the coil and to the ignition module.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 06:33 PM
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If I wanted to swap the ECU with the parts car would it work? It's an 83 Turbo.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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Swap a 79 n/a ecu with an 83 turbo ecu? NO. n/a and turbo ecu's are not interchangeable at all.
Old Oct 5, 2010 | 11:14 PM
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Just chipping away at the possibilities. I checked the EFI relay and it's working. I'm thinking the culprit is the ignition module. And I'm thinking about doing the upgrade I have read about using a different module and mounting it on the body.
Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:37 AM
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Anyone in the Nashville area have an n/a ECU? I would like to swap it out. Our parts car is a Turbo so I guess I have a lot of parts I can't use.
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by garretthes
Anyone in the Nashville area have an n/a ECU? I would like to swap it out. Our parts car is a Turbo so I guess I have a lot of parts I can't use.
It's possible to use the ECU from an '84 300ZX in a '79 turbo but it involves more than just swapping out the unit. Last I checked, there's an '84 at the Pull-a-Part in Nashville.

The P-a-P in Birmingham has an '81 ZX in their yard... not sure if it's a turbo. I may be going down there this weekend to take a look at it.
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by KayakTN
It's possible to use the ECU from an '84 300ZX in a '79 turbo but it involves more than just swapping out the unit. Last I checked, there's an '84 at the Pull-a-Part in Nashville.
There's no such thing as a 79 280zx turbo from the factory. All things aside, this 79 is a non-turbo, so we don't need to worry about "swapping turbo ecu's".

I suggest checking the ignitor, ecu, and fuel pump.

Last edited by NismoPick; Oct 7, 2010 at 03:07 PM.
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by garretthes
16 year old daughter bought a 79 coupe to restore. PO said it was running two years ago when the windows stopped working and he parked it.
Yeah right
So after fixing several wiring issues and replacing a leaking coil I still get no spark at the plugs. What should I check next?
Thanks!
Why don't you just swap the turbo motor in the 79 if your doing a restore? More power and just fix the turbo motor out of the car...
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
There's no such thing as a 79 280zx turbo from the factory. All things aside, this 79 is a non-turbo, so we don't need to worry about "swapping turbo ecu's".

I suggest checking the ignitor, ecu, and fuel pump.
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by KayakTN
It's possible to use the ECU from an '84 300ZX in a '79 turbo but it involves more than just swapping out the unit. Last I checked, there's an '84 at the Pull-a-Part in Nashville.

The P-a-P in Birmingham has an '81 ZX in their yard... not sure if it's a turbo. I may be going down there this weekend to take a look at it.
I'm in Birmingham right now. I don't do PAP anymore. Wasted too much time driving out then seeing a picked over shell.

I'm not sure the ECU is even a problem as I'm not getting spark. The ECU wouldn't stop this unless I'm misreading the schematic.
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by J-cubZ
Why don't you just swap the turbo motor in the 79 if your doing a restore? More power and just fix the turbo motor out of the car...
I'm not sure the engine in the Turbo is even a Turbo. Looks na and the turbo hardware is missing.
Old Oct 7, 2010 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by NismoPick

I suggest checking the ignitor, ecu, and fuel pump.
Replaced the igniter with a GM 4 wire. Still not getting spark. Fuel pump seems to be pushing fuel.
Also replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor button, fuel filter because they needed it anyway.
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 02:10 AM
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Originally Posted by garretthes
I'm not sure the engine in the Turbo is even a Turbo. Looks na and the turbo hardware is missing.
Someone felt classy enough to do a reverse swap.

Take a pic for us, engine bays make us all hot and bothered



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