New to me Spirit R/T, electrical prob diagnose. diagrams anyone?

[zeeboid]

Hey all. I just aquired myself a 91 Spirit R/T. The person I got it from hasn't gotten it running since a clutch install, so I picked it up to diagnosis and repair the electrical problem.

Honestly, I haven't looked at it too much yet (its been in my garage for a total of 2 hours) but before I dive in, I need to aquire a wiring diagram or service manual. I see them on e-bay for 80 bucks, but am wondering if anyone has a PDF or otherwise electronic form of the electrical or service manual, before I try my luck with Alldata.

I am very excited about this car. the shifter linkage is sloppy as hell, but otherwise the car is CLEAN. I live in minnesota, this car is said to be from nevada (the paint looks like it spent alot of time in the sun, but the underside has no detectable bubbles!!). Should be a nice daily driver over my 4 door neon, whyle my for fun car sits. (2.4 SRT engine in a 98 2 door neon running megasquirt)

I have experiance with wiring and can figure stuff out (as made evident with a neon running Megasquirt) but a wiring diagram sure helps!

anyway, I hope to be moderatly active and post pics of my project! Thanks in advance!!!

[max_power]

i bit more info would help like all the symptoms no start, start for a few seconds, or stuff like that or just supply a VIN and a dude named NAJ will tell you everything you will ever need to know. if its all from a clutch replacement just get under there and double check all wiring harnesses or if the car sat a while check the timing belt

[HOOPTYBOOST]

Crank Position Sensor!!!!

[lotashelbys]

Congrats on picking up a Spirit R/T! So,I take it it wont run after the clutch install? If so it might have the wrong pressure plate in it. Certain ones are too big in diameter and wont let the crank sensor see the voids in the flywheel. If you need any technical help with this thing just PM me for my phone# and I can go through it with ya

[charger R/T]

Jackson speaks the truth. A few years ago there were quite a few threads on this people picked up quite a few cars cheap because of the wrong pressure plate. I think the plate diameter differance is only like an 1/8 of an inch or so but it is enough. Site X even has a sticky on there site in the TIII section. I believe I saw one thread the guys shimmed the crank sensor out a little and it fired off it didn't run great but started. Then he pulled the trans.
Tim

[DaPepster!]

Welcome to Turbo Dodge!

Absolutely check on the pressure plate to make sure it is the right application. Very likely the guy got the clutch kit for the non-R/T turbo 2.5L engine. I acquired my first Spirit R/T with the exact same problem, and took over a year and a half diagnosing it before replacing it with a known-good clutch and pressure plate before it started at all.

Easiest way to check it is to take the crank sensor out of the transmission (front side of the transmission bellhousing directly below the throttle body), and look into the hole. The surface of the flywheel and the pressure plate will be visible after removing the crank sensor.

Click here to see what it looks like.

If the outer edge of the pressure plate (the bright silver at the top of the hole in the pic) is right along the outer edge of the flywheel (the rust colored part below the bright silver in the hole in the pic), the worng pressure plate is installed.

What is causing the no-start is the pressure plate is interfering with the crank sensor cutouts in the flywheel causing an improper ignition reference signal to the computer, and with this signal, the computer cannot predict the next cylinder to come to Top-Dead-Center next to make the engine run.

Hope this helps, and don't hesitate to ask more questions on your car. There's plenty of people to help you out.

[zeeboid]

wow, good information guys. It would be a bummer to have to take the transmission out (just swapped tranny in my Neon R/T 2.4 Turbo and today installed a new one in a 95 Astro van, kind of tired of the trannys!) but I will pull the sensor out tomorrow night and take a peek. the guy I purchased it from said another Spirit R/T guy gave him a part number for a clutch to order from NAPA, and thats what he got, but yea, I will start there!

[zeeboid]

I cracked er' open and here's what I found:




Let me guess... SOL? Clutch needs to be replaced?

[lotashelbys]

I cant see from that pic. You need to turn the motor over untill you see one of the slots in the fylwheel and see if the PP is sticking out farther than the slot. If so that will be the problem. Good luck

[zeeboid]

I double checked, and spun the motor a few times, I think I see what your talking about (forgive the crappy paint skilz):

[lotashelbys]

There are two sets of four slots in the flywheel on opposite ends. They all must be open or not covered up by the PP or your car will not fire up. I can get you a few pics tomorrow of what the right and wrong ones look like to a TIII flywheel if you want me to.

[zeeboid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotashelbys There are two sets of four slots in the flywheel on opposite ends. They all must be open or not covered up by the PP or your car will not fire up. I can get you a few pics tomorrow of what the right and wrong ones look like to a TIII flywheel if you want me to.

naa, no need kind sir, one of the sets of slots is covered up all the way, and one of them is partial, so its deffently that. I'll have to go shopping for a new clutch, and clean out my garage a little bit before I take the trans out.

[charger R/T]

the vendors here will sell you a clutch set up that will work.
Tim

[DaPepster!]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeboid naa, no need kind sir, one of the sets of slots is covered up all the way, and one of them is partial, so its deffently that. I'll have to go shopping for a new clutch, and clean out my garage a little bit before I take the trans out.

Yep, that confirms it. Wrong pressure plate. That's EXACTLY what I uncovered when I took the trans off my white R/T over a year ago.

[Shel-Game]

I'll sell you my used T3 PP (I just bought a new one from FWD-P). Looks OK; has a bunch of miles, though.