No spark on rebuilt sohc (searched)

[gripster]

**Update 11-23**

Rebuilt KA24E now has close to 5k miles.
Only issues: Idle hunts between 600 and 900 rpms, CEL is on

Yesterday (11-22), I pulled the code: 32 - EGR function.
Cleared it in ECU without replacing EGR.
Idle screw in ECU in same position before I did diagnostics
Now the car stalls, won't hold idle.
Borrowed a vacuum tester from autozone, the tube is too big for the EGR valve so I didn't get to test EGR valve.

I have the EGR valve on order, will get it Friday.

Any other parts I should look at? Thanks


**Update 5-10: Now with spark and timing redone 5+ times. **

This is the 3rd sohc i've swapped in my '89, the first as a fresh rebuild. The other two were used. I'm not getting any spark. The first 2x that I've swapped in a sohc, it started right up.

It has:

new spark plugs
new coil <-- after doing search
spark plug wires are still pretty new
it is getting fuel
wire connections checked/rechecked

I've tried: 2 different distributors; 2 different distributor caps; adjusting to Top Dead Center (TDC) 1x sunday, 2x today
Car ran before the swap, but had a bad head gasket, which is why I got a rebuilt engine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[roboticnissan]

Probably a ground. Have you checked fuses

[gripster]

Fuses are good.

Found a loose wire connection to the tranny, but I know that has nothing to do with ignition.

[locoluna825]

Wire harness grounds? The part that run in between valve cover and fuel rail. there are like 2 grounds that need to be attached to the engine near the powersteering pump.

[1on1]

also, check the clip of wires near the ECU under the dash.

[gripster]

Ok folks,

I now have spark, I have fuel (I can smell gas from spark plugs), and timing was checked/rechecked more than 5 times, but still won't catch. It sputtered twice, that's all I got.

Fuel goes to fuel filter --> Fuel Pressure Regulator --> to Fuel Injectors, right?

Or am I missing something?

[TISTO]

dist. 180 out?

[daryl337]

9 days old, but hope you see this before you tear your hair out.




Fuel pressure regulator comes after fuel rail.


Fuel regulators operate by backing up fuel into the fuel rail until a certain pressure is reached, and then opening to allow the excess pressure back out of the rail again.


Fuel should go pump ---> filter --->rail ---> regulator--->return

[90greycoupe]

make sure the fuel lines are on correctly. i mixed em up once and no start!! :)

[Darude]

What did you do to get spark? What was wrong?

[Edwin562]

ECU could be bad...

[gripster]

daryl had it right, got my fuel lines mixed up.

Timing was also still off.

Finally got the car started, but lost compression in #4 cylinder.

Shop rebuilt it again under warranty.

Thanks for the help! Much appreciated.

[gripster]

I've got a new issue after clearing the CEL. See 11-23 update.

Any help will be much appreciated.