94 Excel Suddenly died
 

I have a 94 excel which died on me about a month ago with no warning.
The car will crank with lots of juice but has no spark. I am some what
mechanically inclined but am completely stumped when it comes to
electrical and ignition systems on vehicles.

So far I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor and the coil. None of
these have fixed the problem. I think I might be looking in the wrong
place. I have seen the post on similar problems but am in need of a
little bit of help. I figured if I could get the car to spit out codes
I might be able to narrow down the problem. I have not been able to get
any codes using a light meter. I think I have located the place in the
fuse box where to connect it, but I could be wrong. Do I need to have
the key on when performing these tests? Does the ground for my light
meter need to connected to one of the terminals in the fuse box or
simply grounded to the car?

Any help with getting this car running would be a very much
appreciated.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

sounds like the computer is shot

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

sounds like the computer is shot

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

sounds like the computer is shot

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> I have a 94 excel which died on me about a month ago with no warning.
> The car will crank with lots of juice but has no spark. I am some what
> mechanically inclined but am completely stumped when it comes to
> electrical and ignition systems on vehicles.
>
> So far I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor and the coil. None of
> these have fixed the problem. I think I might be looking in the wrong
> place. I have seen the post on similar problems but am in need of a
> little bit of help. I figured if I could get the car to spit out codes
> I might be able to narrow down the problem. I have not been able to get
> any codes using a light meter. I think I have located the place in the
> fuse box where to connect it, but I could be wrong. Do I need to have
> the key on when performing these tests? Does the ground for my light
> meter need to connected to one of the terminals in the fuse box or
> simply grounded to the car?
>
> Any help with getting this car running would be a very much
> appreciated.
>
It may be the crank position sensor. You can get the codes read at
Autozone, VIP and other parts/service stores at no charge, or you can
buy a code reader there. I managed to get codes from my '94 Excel using
a voltmeter. IIRC, the access panel is under the dash on the left side,
but I don't remember the entire procedure.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> I have a 94 excel which died on me about a month ago with no warning.
> The car will crank with lots of juice but has no spark. I am some what
> mechanically inclined but am completely stumped when it comes to
> electrical and ignition systems on vehicles.
>
> So far I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor and the coil. None of
> these have fixed the problem. I think I might be looking in the wrong
> place. I have seen the post on similar problems but am in need of a
> little bit of help. I figured if I could get the car to spit out codes
> I might be able to narrow down the problem. I have not been able to get
> any codes using a light meter. I think I have located the place in the
> fuse box where to connect it, but I could be wrong. Do I need to have
> the key on when performing these tests? Does the ground for my light
> meter need to connected to one of the terminals in the fuse box or
> simply grounded to the car?
>
> Any help with getting this car running would be a very much
> appreciated.
>
It may be the crank position sensor. You can get the codes read at
Autozone, VIP and other parts/service stores at no charge, or you can
buy a code reader there. I managed to get codes from my '94 Excel using
a voltmeter. IIRC, the access panel is under the dash on the left side,
but I don't remember the entire procedure.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> I have a 94 excel which died on me about a month ago with no warning.
> The car will crank with lots of juice but has no spark. I am some what
> mechanically inclined but am completely stumped when it comes to
> electrical and ignition systems on vehicles.
>
> So far I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor and the coil. None of
> these have fixed the problem. I think I might be looking in the wrong
> place. I have seen the post on similar problems but am in need of a
> little bit of help. I figured if I could get the car to spit out codes
> I might be able to narrow down the problem. I have not been able to get
> any codes using a light meter. I think I have located the place in the
> fuse box where to connect it, but I could be wrong. Do I need to have
> the key on when performing these tests? Does the ground for my light
> meter need to connected to one of the terminals in the fuse box or
> simply grounded to the car?
>
> Any help with getting this car running would be a very much
> appreciated.
>
It may be the crank position sensor. You can get the codes read at
Autozone, VIP and other parts/service stores at no charge, or you can
buy a code reader there. I managed to get codes from my '94 Excel using
a voltmeter. IIRC, the access panel is under the dash on the left side,
but I don't remember the entire procedure.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter? Is the
access panel the access to the fuse box? Does anybody now where the
crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter? Is the
access panel the access to the fuse box? Does anybody now where the
crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter? Is the
access panel the access to the fuse box? Does anybody now where the
crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
> the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
> it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter?

I doubt it, as the signal is very weak. It probably won't illuminate a
bulb, but it might work with a low-power LED.

> Is the access panel the access to the fuse box?

No, the computer is higher up under the dash. It's easy to spot, as it
has two large wiring harnesses connected to it. IIRC, the metal cover on
mine was black.

> Does anybody now where the
> crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Can't help you here, sorry. You could try going to www.hmaservice.com,
signing up (it's free), then checking to see if they have the Excel
manual online. BTW, the site only works with Internet Explorer.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
> the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
> it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter?

I doubt it, as the signal is very weak. It probably won't illuminate a
bulb, but it might work with a low-power LED.

> Is the access panel the access to the fuse box?

No, the computer is higher up under the dash. It's easy to spot, as it
has two large wiring harnesses connected to it. IIRC, the metal cover on
mine was black.

> Does anybody now where the
> crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Can't help you here, sorry. You could try going to www.hmaservice.com,
signing up (it's free), then checking to see if they have the Excel
manual online. BTW, the site only works with Internet Explorer.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Silverfoot wrote:
> Thanks for the replys - I kinda thought it was either the computer or
> the crank position sensor. I have read alot posts about the sensor. Is
> it possible to use a light meter as opposed to a voltmeter?

I doubt it, as the signal is very weak. It probably won't illuminate a
bulb, but it might work with a low-power LED.

> Is the access panel the access to the fuse box?

No, the computer is higher up under the dash. It's easy to spot, as it
has two large wiring harnesses connected to it. IIRC, the metal cover on
mine was black.

> Does anybody now where the
> crank position sensor is located? What is the sensor worth?

Can't help you here, sorry. You could try going to www.hmaservice.com,
signing up (it's free), then checking to see if they have the Excel
manual online. BTW, the site only works with Internet Explorer.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Thanks Brian - I was using trying to using a light meter against some
post inside the fuse box. I had been on the hmaservice sight many times
and couldn't get anywhere on it. I was using firefox. I logged in use
IE and it came up fine.

It looks like I might be able to get somewhere. I will keep you all
posted. I am sure I will have more questions as I proceed. Thanks again.

Re: 94 Excel Suddenly died
 

Thanks Brian - I was using trying to using a light meter against some
post inside the fuse box. I had been on the hmaservice sight many times
and couldn't get anywhere on it. I was using firefox. I logged in use
IE and it came up fine.

It looks like I might be able to get somewhere. I will keep you all
posted. I am sure I will have more questions as I proceed. Thanks again.