I definitely have spark, this is the first thing I checked a few months ago before I stopped driving the car. Upon your recommendation I opened the distributor back up today and looked inside with a flashlight, coating the bottom looks like there is this "black stuff" (maybe insulation, or oil). Couldn't tell if the hall effect switch was deteriorated or not just the black substance in the base of the distributor.
: 2) Make sure that the fuel pump is working. You should hear it for a couple : seconds when you turn the ignition on.
This I have checked, and it is pumping properly. There is what seems like an intermittent problem here, I'll get to that in a minute.
: 3) Confirm that you have injector pulse. There is a $5 tester for this : purpose.
Injectors are pulsing, checked visually and with a noid light.
: 4) If no injector pulse or you can't hear the pump, check that the ECM : (engine computer) has power. It's powered through a relay that likes to : fail.
This is where the intermittent problem comes in. I am diagnosing this car myself and it is sometimes difficult to be in two places at once. But I have noticed it seems like sometimes the ECM relay isn't functioning. Its in the right kick panel and when it works you can hear it click and the fuel pump engage. This doesn't happen all the time, I could be imagining it, but when I go to check it out it works properly.
: 5) When the problem occurs, perform a KOEO diagnostic test. All you need is : a test light and a paper clip. Minor problems won't prevent it from : starting, but something major will. There may be a lose contact somewhere, : which disengages when things get hot and affects a lot. In my case, the
+5V : reference would disappear, rendering every single sensor useless. If you : can't interpret the codes, post them here and someone will try to help you.
No codes set as of right now. I might try to go drive it and check it again.
: 6) If you haven't found anything else, I would advise checking fuel : pressure. You can buy or rent the gauge. There is a test port on the fuel : line. Read the instructions and be careful not to spill any gasoline around : a hot engine! The TBI regulator is not vacuum compensated, so no rubber : diaphragm to break, but who knows.. You may have a bad pump, a clogged : filter, a grossly leaking injector - all leading to loss of pressure.
Fuel pressure is adequate, and the injectors do not seem to be leaking pressure. The pressure stays up even after letting the car sit for a while.
: 7) There is a simple instrument which will pulse the injectors and let you : check if they work properly by watching the fuel pressure. : : Let us know what you found : : Right now I am leaning torwards the hall effect switch or the ecm relay. I may be barking up the entirely wrong tree, wouldnt' be the first time with this car. This is where I am at at the time being, the car is becoming a headache. Thanks for your input.