85 charger refuses to start

ok, just got my 85 charger (knowing it doesn't run).guy says it ran fine when it was parked (dunno how long ago that was...) but... it doesn't start now, checked for sparks and found 2 bad plug wires, replaced them along with new champions, and still won't start. pulled the mp computer and put in the stock one to run codes, i came up with 12 (battery was dead while it sat), 22 and 54.

i really hate to make "my car won't start" my second post... i've been scouring the forums here, the dodge garage, mini mopar... got a service manual... i'm just not figuring this out i guess.

i'm new to turbo dodges (and really cars in general...) so any help (even the most rudimentary) is very much appreciated.

[Mike B.]

The infamous code 54! That's for the HEP (Hall Effect Pickup). It's a black plastic gizmo under the distributor cap that has some wires coming out of it. To make a long story short, the HEP can tell how fast the distributor is turning and sends the signal to the ECU. The ECU uses that signal to determine engine rpm. If the HEP goes bad the ECU doesn't know how fast the engine is turning so it can't set ignition timing. The result is usually a no-start.

Replace the HEP. When you buy a new one, BUY TWO. Throw the second new one in the glove box. Keep one there. You can be touring down the highway, and BAM, HEP goes out.

[glhsken]

LOL.. Make sure you throw a phillips head screw driver in the g/b as well!!

thanks for the replies guys, last nite after posting that i did some more reading, and after reading things like "plan on replacing the HEP every 6 months..." and "if you have an electrical problem, 9 times out of 10 it's the HEP..." and on and on... i was going to check this too called napa to see how much a new HEP was going to be.... $70. so i asked how much a new distributer was... $74. right... so i order the distributer and go out and pull the old one off the car and it's totally trashed... so... the whole distributer was worthless and it's a good thing i ordered a new one instead of just a HEP.

thanks!

[glhs636]

What's trashed on the dist.?
You might want to check the intermidate shaft and oil pump if the lower part of the dist. is trashed

not sure what it's called, but the piece of metal that the HEP sits on was all bent up and there was a bunch of broken plastic down in there.

[omnivore]

It is better to use the later style HEPS as well. The wires coming out of the HEP are distinguishalble from eachother...each set of wires looks like 3 stripes of coruroy (for lack of a better description), whereas the older style ones have all 3 wires in a sheathing, kind of like shrink wrapping.

where do you find the "new style" and about what does it run you? my dad is trying to avoid buying from the dealer because he says that rape you on that stuff... i wouldn't know. fwdperformance doesn't carry them, so... in my area that leaves autozone and napa... where are you getting yours?

[omnivore]

aim for 88 and newer Daytona turbos, Lebaron turbos, and Minivan turbos at your local wreckers....I must have 7 or 8 spare HEPS lying around and I got them for $15 ea.

ok thanks... the plan i guess is to kind of stock up on those and keep them in the trunk... hehe...

[sergio]

Hey Omnivore,

He's got an '85 so the the later HEPs won't interchange with his. Remeber the 85's and earlier got the bigger distributor, he's stuck with the 85 HEP.

[omnivore]

true.my bad.

yeah went and looked at one at autozone.... no worky.

but it's ok, my distributer didn't come in and we ended up having to gut the car and take care of an ant problem

pics!!

[omnivore]

I never realized that Dodge actually produced Shelby Chargers that colour-Looks awesome!. I have a Chilton's repair manual with an artists rendering of a silver and blue SC on the cover, and I just figured the publisher used artistic licence to draw it up in silver rather than blue.