280z will not start

[grantf]

Ok so I have drove my 78 280z only once about a year and a half ago after troubleshooting a fuel problem. it ran pretty good then. So now I am trying to start it after it's sat outside since 2008 and it will not start, I have a good battery half a tank of gas and over 30 psi after the fuel filter but the engine will not fire. going to check for spark next but does anyone have suggestions on what to do next? Oh and one other thing.... there seems to be a hissing sound near the fuel pressure regulator is this normal?

Edited January 18, 2010 by grantf

[grantf]

update:

pulled spark plugs out, no fouling they look really good actually, also no sign of gas on them. I am stumped. still have not checked for spark as I need a second body to to turn the key....

[beebeecivic]

You said you are getting 30 PSI after the lines. What happens when you step on the gas does it go to 42 psi?

[grantf]

not sure, I need to reatatch the fuel gauge. but I believe it was around 40 + without stepping on the gas, I am worried that I am getting no spark, but I do not see fouled plugs or even gas on them, arrrg this is frustrating.

What is the best way to check the coil and or plugs for spark?

Edited January 18, 2010 by grantf

[beebeecivic]

Have you checked your fusible links for the starter ?

maybe the timing is off?

EFI is critical, everything has to work together in order for it to work properly

btw, how much voltage are you getting from the battery? if its too low you might need a jump start.

Edited January 19, 2010 by beebeecivic

[grantf]

new battery, starter motor cranks nonstop for more than two minutes , 13 volts across terminals. the fusible links were swapped out for fuses long ago and the car ran just fine year and a half ago.

[stevef1972z]

If the gas was not treated you may have varnished everything up pretty good and it may take some serious cleaning to get everything working right again. Fuel injectors are not fond of being gummed up.

[grantf]

If the gas was not treated you may have varnished everything up pretty good and it may take some serious cleaning to get everything working right again. Fuel injectors are not fond of being gummed up.

so what do you recommend, aside from flushing the tank and adding new gas?

[IdahoKidd]

You need to find out if you have spark. Pull the coil wire from the distributor cap and place the end of it about a quarter inch from a good ground. Let it lay there on its own. Crank the engine and see if the spark jumps from the wire to the ground. Or, let the wife hold on to the end of the wire and ask her if she feels anything when you crank the motor. Be prepared to cook for yourself for a month if there is spark..............

If you have spark, pull a plug, hook the wire back to the plug, lay the plug on a good ground and crank. Should be spark. Trouble shooting the spark depends on where you have lost it at.

[grantf]

update:

today I got a friend to crank the engine wile I looked for spark, nothing from the coil and nothing from the spark plugs. Alas no spark :disappoin

so now it's FSM time. any suggestions on were to begin my search for power to the ignition system?

Oh and I should note the car ran fine about a year and half ago, then I pulled out the dash for repairs, fixed most electrical problems from PO's hack job but I see no circuits involved that would explain my current dilemma.

[IdahoKidd]

Check to see if there is power to the positive side of the coil when you turn the key switch on. You'll kind of have to figure it out as you go along. Besure to check all the fusible links (under hood just above right front tire.) Be sure there is power to both sides of each wire. Look at the fsm, I can't recall if one of them is for ignition but I think it is.

[beebeecivic]

Check to see if there is power to the positive side of the coil when you turn the key switch on. You'll kind of have to figure it out as you go along. Besure to check all the fusible links (under hood just above right front tire.) Be sure there is power to both sides of each wire. Look at the fsm, I can't recall if one of them is for ignition but I think it is.

He has converted to Maxi I believe.