95 D1 intermittently not starting.

mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
Default


Well, I'd check the RAVE manual and diagnose with that.
Then there is your Idle Air Control Valve. Have you ever cleaned it?
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
If it was the idle air control valve it would start if you opened the throttle a little bit. When it won't start I would check the spark at the coil wire and if you have that I would plug it back onto the distributor cap and check spark at a spark plug wire. If you have spark at the coil but nothing at the spark plug it probably needs a cap and rotor. If no spark at the coil wire then it gets a little more complicated.
 

mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN
When it does it it just cranks. I can give it gas still nothing. If I had to guess it’s original cap and rotor and possibly wires. I might add it only does it after it’s been driven and shut off for a short time. It fires right up cold.
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Look at the condenser, well known back in the day for failing when hot. Replace the points, cap, rotor, condenser, and coil (coil is another that will fail when hot). Wires would cause misfires but should also be replaced. Cheap way to start and if hasn't been done is long, long, long overdue.

If I had to guess it’s original cap and rotor
You are living in the new world with old world parts. That shit isn't 100k.

 
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DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
I know where the cap is where’s the condenser? My other is an 03 Discovery so this ignition is foreign to me

You might want to pay someone to do this. Just saying, I'd bet it just needs a tune-up. All this works on contacts. Periodically I would take off the cap and sand cap/rotor contact and points contacts.

 
Last edited:

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Look at the condenser, well known back in the day for failing when hot. Replace the points, cap, rotor, condenser, and coil (coil is another that will fail when hot). Wires would cause misfires but should also be replaced. Cheap way to start and if hasn't been done is long, long, long overdue.


You are living in the new world with old world parts. That shit isn't 100k.

It's just too easy.
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
212
52
St. Louis
Considering most of your ignition system is probably tired, there are too many possible causes. You should start with a tuneup which sounds like it needs to happen anyway.

Plugs, wires, cap, rotor and check your fuel pressure. Pump may be running but maybe not well or a clogged fuel filter..

If there is still a problem after, those few parts should probably be enough to point you in the right direction.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I don’t know about doing a regular tune up first. I prefer diagnosing the problem, then just fixing that.
But he’s probably going to be looking for that condenser for most of the summer. That is unless someone goes ahead and tells him there isn’t one.
 
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DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
I don’t know about doing a regular tune up first. I prefer diagnosing the problem, then just fixing that.
But he’s probably going to be looking for that condenser for most of the summer. That is unless someone goes ahead and tells him there isn’t one.
So it employs an electronic ignition system with a distributor. My bad, still it sounds in need of a tune-up so I go ahead and do that first.
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Why do you so desperately need to give advise about stuff you know nothing about.
Yeah it's been so long since I've fucked with anything with a distributor on it I forgot there was the electronic ignition in between a regular points and condenser and distributorless. That's my bad and I apologize to the OP if I misled him. And yes I guess I shouldn't post just because I'm drunk and bored. That all said I still say do a tune up with the amount of miles that distributor has on it.
 

Greg_M

Well-known member
Dec 27, 2021
226
100
Vancouver Island
"I might add it only does it after it’s been driven and shut off for a short time. It fires right up cold."
Might be worth checking to see if your fuel tank is venting properly. When it won't start take the filler cap off and try again.
 
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boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
"I might add it only does it after it’s been driven and shut off for a short time. It fires right up cold."
Might be worth checking to see if your fuel tank is venting properly. When it won't start take the filler cap off and try again.
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
Your D1 3.9 has a pointless distributor, with pickup sensor and pickup coil in place. Pick up coil inside of distributor housing when it gets over heated causes no start symptom.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
When it does it it just cranks. I can give it gas still nothing. If I had to guess it’s original cap and rotor and possibly wires. I might add it only does it after it’s been driven and shut off for a short time. It fires right up cold.
Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator and see if it has fuel in it. If the fuel pressure regulator leaks it can flood the engine when you try to restart it hot.
 
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boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
Another thought is the ignition module on distributor could also be failing at hot start up. Early GM HEI ignition system had this same problem. The fix was replace the module.
 

boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
Another thought is the ignition module on distributor could also be failing at hot start up. Early GM HEI ignition system had this same problem. The fix was replace the module.
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
Had a similar problem with my D1 hard start after warmed up replaced Idle air control valve to fix it.
 

boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
DiscoStew thought about the pressure regulator is another possibility. Also check the condition of the vacuum hose at regulator it is a weak point causing hard start.
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Get an extra spark plug. When it won't start pull a plug wire, stick the plug in and ground it to the motor, then turn the motor over. No spark, ignition. Spark, look elsewhere.