fuel,spark,compression and wont start

[joe67]

Its a 1990 with a 2.2l. It was running rough but always started. It started right up last nite. It used to idle high and the SES light would come on and stall the car if it was just idling but once driving it would do fine. I checked codes today and got a 13 (O2 sensor) and 22 (TPS or fuel pump relay problem). Then it would not start, not even a sputter. I also gave it a shot of starting fluid and not even a hit. I replaced the fuel pump relay and still no luck. I pulled the plugs and it is getting good spark on all 4. While cranking I can see the injector spraying fuel. It is getting good compression about 140lbs average. While cranking the injector seems to be dumping a lot of fuel, a lot more then what it does just idling but this could just be the choke giving more fuel to start. I disconnected the TPS but that did not help. Could a bad TPS cause it not to start? Or could the ignition become mistimed somehow? Could it still spark with a bad crank position sensor? I have a Chiltons repair manual but it is not help with troubleshooting. I disconnected the battery and now it shows no codes. I am stuck, any help???

[MichaelS]

Could be the crankshaft position sensor somehow got out of spec

I'd suggest checking the EGR valve... sometimes it gets stuck open and it leans out the mixture way too much.

EDIT: check the vacuum hoses and the MAP sensor.. it will enrich the mixture if it senses a low vacuum pressure.

I also forgot to add that if you suspect that you may have flooded the engine, you can activate the "clear-flood" mode by turning OFF the ignition, press the gas pedal all the way down, then turn the ignition on ON and then try to crank. What this is supposed to do is make the TPS register to the ECM that throttle is open. The ECM needs the TPS to register at least 80% open to activate that mode. I unfortunately don't have the ratio handy that it attempts to create (but it will provide significantly less fuel).

[joe67]

I could see a good spark between the outside and where it was grounded but I guess not a good enough spark at the tip. A new set of plugs and it sputtered but fired up. But the SES light is still on intermittently and it stalls when it comes on if idling. Also, it is idling high. I pulled the EGR valve and it moved but when there is no vacuum on it should it go all the way down to make a seal? It appears there is about 1/4 inch let where it could close and seal up at the bottom.

[MichaelS]

Normally the EGR is supposed to be completely closed on idle. If your getting weak spark, have you checked the coils? You might also want to check the ignition wires for any cracks. I'm still thinking there could be a vacuum leak somewhere that's causing the car to loose intake vacuum.