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93 acclaim stalled and wont start


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sedai1671
New User

Aug 8, 2005, 11:16 AM

Post #1 of 9 (3047 views)
post icon 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

Frown I stalled at a red light and the car willnot start. It sounds like it wants to but just cant quite do it. I just put oil in in and filled up the tank(not at my usual gas station)i also put in an oil and a gas treatment. The car has only stalled once before and restarted immedietly. I replaced the sparkplugs but no luck. Its my only means of transportation. Im a single mom and cannot be with out my car. Please.any suggestions? I will be doing the repairs myself so please go step by step assuming i have NO idea!!lol


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Aug 8, 2005, 1:25 PM

Post #2 of 9 (3041 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

One of the first things you need to tell us is whether there is spark or not. You’ll need an assistant to crank the engine for you.
Unplug any one of the spark plug wires at the spark plug, insert a screwdriver into the wire so that it will stay. Then hold the screwdriver by its handle while holding the shaft of the driver close to but no more then a ¼ inch away from any metal object on the engine block.
Now have your helper crank the engine with the key, while the engine is turning you should see a consistent spark jumping from the screwdriver to the engine.
You will also need to tell us what engine is in this car. It will be one of four different engines that where available a 2.2 four cylinder, 2.2 turbo four cylinder, 2.5 four cylinder or a 3. Liter six cylinder. I think that was all of them anyway. If you are not sure which it is give us the eighth digit of the VIN# and we’ll be able to tell from that.
If you can do this then we’ll be able to start in other directions to get this thing running again.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"






sedai1671
New User

Aug 8, 2005, 2:20 PM

Post #3 of 9 (3039 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

thanks. Its pouring now but ill do the spark test as soon as it stops and will let you know.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 8, 2005, 9:40 PM

Post #4 of 9 (3026 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

If you have spark you can test for fuel by spraying some starting fluid in where air filter is - Reassble it all as it is also a spark arrester. If car runs for a few seconds there's a fuel problem. Curious you said this happened soon after refueling?? Probably has nothing to do with a fuel additive and definately not an oil additive.

Gas stations are supposed to remove water (it condenses in their tanks - they don't add it) and you check the level with a stick with paste on it that changes color. This is routine for a gas station. It can have water at the bottom of thier tank to a certain level then they pump that out.

You also need to know (can you hear the buzz from your fuel pump?) that the fuse and relay for it is ok.

Good luck,



sedai1671
New User

Aug 9, 2005, 1:07 PM

Post #5 of 9 (3006 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

there was no spark. I tried it 3 times and nothing happened. The car is a 4 cyl. the title reads the 8th character as a K.


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Aug 10, 2005, 4:15 AM

Post #6 of 9 (2990 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

"K" means that this engine is a 2.5lt.
Ok now the next thing to check is that mechanically things are still working.
You’ll need to remove the distributor cap and then have your helper crank the engine to see whether the ignition rotor is turning. You don’t have to remove the ignition wires to do this. Just remove the two screws that hold the slash shield on (If it’s still there) then remove the two screws at the base of the cap and carefully lift the cap off and set it or hold it out of the way.
When I say carefully, it mostly because there are locating tabs on the pick up coil and distributor cap that will need to be aligned when you go and put it back together. There is nothing in there that’s going to jump out or fly apart.
Let me know what you find.
Dan.


Canadian "EH"






sedai1671
New User

Aug 10, 2005, 11:11 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2984 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

OK i did that and the rotor is not turning.


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Aug 10, 2005, 1:57 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2980 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

It’s probably the timing belt that has broken if the rotors not turning while the engines being cranked. To confirm this you can remove the inspection hole cover that is in the upper timing cover, crank the engine to see if the camshaft is turning.
Changing a timing belt is a little involved and you may want to have someone do this for you, but if you want to try I’ll help where I can.
You’re going to need a good selection of tools, a way to jack up and support the car while the passengers front wheel is off, that to gain access to the lower pulley.
So give it some thought and let me know.
Dan.



Canadian "EH"






Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 10, 2005, 3:18 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2978 views)
Re: 93 acclaim stalled and wont start Sign In

Dan D pretty much has this diagnosed. Think seriously whether you want to take this on. You will need a lot of tools and it may be less expensive to let this job go to a trusted garage. Depending on where you are this could cost $250 ---- The tools if you don't already have them would cost that. Print the diagrams Dan posted - a shop may want them. Think hard about this job - you may never recover the cost of doing this yourself, Just my two cents worth, Tom







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