A simple task, a complicated result

[akwilks]

I have been driving my 93 Typhoon with an ignition miss for about a month or so. I got up the courage to change out the cap and rotor thinking I would have a mechanic do the plugs and wires...Well, first, the cap came off easy, a bit of corrosion in it, no big deal. Then I thought I would reach in to pull off the rotor....easy job right? Wrong!!! It just wouldnt come off so what did I do? I just changed out the cap..put the wires back on and sure enough, I couldnt get her to start....So, I have to get to work in a few hours and I figured must be a simple problem...nope....after many different wire configurations I got on the phone and called a couple friends to verify the firing order...once done tried to start her again....no start.....so I figured it had something to do with the rotor so I took off the cap and once again tried to take it off...it wasnt moving......got on the phone again, was told I may need a pry bar to get it off...reluctantly I used one and eventually took the rotor off. Put on the new one with the cap, checked my wires tried to start her, no start....100 bucks and a day later I have my truck back... Lesson learned, no job is a simple one when it comes to a Typhoon.....was it worth it? Yep. She runs beautifully now and that awful miss is gone....I question whether I should even have this truck but they're awesome..I'm building my Typhoon trust fund now because I know I will have to pay to play....On another note, I went looking for another car since I dont want any more than 70k on the Ty. I when to a dealership in the area and they asked is that a Typhoon? They looked at it like it was a pink elephant...."What is it supercharged or something?" Is it 2wd? When I went to test drive a used car, they were on the internet trying to find Typhoons. I get back and they tell me "all the Typhoons for sale are in NJ" I told them thats where I got mine.....Of course I got the question "are you going to trade in your truck?" The things people ask these days....anyway, this was a long, drawn out story but had to tell it....from frustration to elation to praise, my Typhoon always lets me know why I have her.....gotta go!

Arn
93 Typhoon #1269 :tup:

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

100 bucks and a day later I have my truck back... Lesson learned, no job is a simple one when it comes to a Typhoon.....was it worth it? Yep. She runs beautifully now and that awful miss is gone....

what ended up being the problem?

 

[akwilks]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Initially, #5 plug wire had no metal connector inside the boot ..to mate with the dist cap...secondly, total lack of experience...that drove the job longer than necessary...The accolades from the salesmen really made my day...once I figure out how to put up pictures I will post my truck...Some have seen it already and probably know the previous owner...Its a sharp looking truck...I get comments all the time particularly at the GMC dealer where the first question I usually get is "Is that a 'real' Typhoon" and they tell me how rare they are etc..All in all, it needed a good tune up. The missing is gone and when I go into boost, I dont get an initial bog then it goes. It also backed the timing during midrange and wot...in essence I was being teased by an initial surge of power then it would just become docile under any boost condition...Thats all cleaned up and now she's very healthy...now, after some datamaster runs I hope to fine tune her to really run...

Arn
93 Typhoon #1269 ,,,,,My White Pachyderm :syty:

 

[canadian]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

For future reference:

Firing order: http://www.whitetyphoon.com/firing_order.html
Rotor removal: http://www.whitetyphoon.com/removing_rotor.html

 

[Jimmy]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Hey Arn,don't be scared.I was in your shoes at one time.These trucks seem like such a duanting task to learn on,but eventually you will become proficient in diagnosing and fixing problems with your truck
They are just machines,it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure them out.
In due time you will realize that you are more competent than the parts changing monkey at your local shop.

 

[mattw]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

I'm still not understanding what was preventing it from running... I'm sure that I could completely remove my #5 wire and the thing would still fire right up... I would be willing to bet that it would start with only a few cylinders connected....


-Matt

 

[Baythan]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

I agree with Matt. I'm no mechanic and I proved that when I did my "tune up." I even switched some wires up and the truck *still* started. One bad connection would not prevent it from starting. I yield to those in the know better...

And you're not alone...the rotors can be an absolute bear. I called Bob Bigtime in a pseudo-panic when I couldn't get mine off and he said take a hacksaw and cut it off. Well, I didn't cut all the way through and it eventually popped off. But it took over an hour.

Jimmy...well said. Understanding that they are just nuts and bolts makes them much less scarey.

 

[Sy370]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Hey Arn,
Its good to hear she is running good, sorry I couldn't have been more help yesterday, I was tied up at work. I have my motor out and am getting ready to start ordering stuff soon.
Let me know if you need anything.
Rik
________
FREE WORDPRESS THEMES

 

[Olskoolturbo]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

For future reference:

Firing order: http://www.whitetyphoon.com/firing_order.html
Rotor removal: http://www.whitetyphoon.com/removing_rotor.html

I like the animated demo, very nice!

 

[akwilks]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

In reference to my ty not starting, I think it had something to do with my distributor being loose...when I tried to take off the rotor, it changed the timing.....Thanks Rik for the help and the patience. Although I didnt get it running, the experience was well worth it...My next job is installing the adj fpr...I'll try not to screw that up...for now the ty is fine, I think I will savor the moment...

Arn
93 Typhoon #1269

 

[SEL777]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Arn, you'll find all the help you need right here. I too had to start somewhere and I was lucky enough to find a wrench session to help me learn hands on. So I drove 2 hours up north to Wisconsin and with the help of a a fellow board member Clint (supersports10?)and a few of his buddies we got a complete tune up done. I now feel comfortable enough to do the next one on my own. I had to change out my IC pump and tackle a few other misc. things and again I went to a wrench session. Dave, Terry and, Adam helped me out and we got things done and I learned a lot too. Do all the searching you can before to attempt anything and, plan on spending twice the amount of time on any project. I also suggest getting the SyTy cd-rom this is way better than the Chilton book I have. Do a search and you'll find it. That thing is awsome and it's really cheap too.

 

[Don W.]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

I think it had something to do with my distributor being loose.

Arn
93 Typhoon #1269

Ah-Ha, another dist loose. So I'm not nuts when I found mine loose also. Glad you got it sorted out.:tup:

 

[Sy370]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

No problem Arn, if you need anything just get in contact with me. I will help if I can. Glad to hear everything is going good right now. Hopefully I can get my truck running before to long. Talk to you later.
________
VAPORMATIC

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

I've learned just about everything I know about cars from my Typhoon ... and after 3 years it still doesn't run :roll: ... familiarity is everything, just keep at it (with people who are in the know helps) and it'll all get better :tup:

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Don't worry buddy, that job and most others become easier as you do them more. It just take time to learn, no biggie.

One hint for ya next time on the rotor. Use your wheel cap key to :git: :tup:

 

[SY2932]

Re: A simple task, a complicated result

Having swapped several of these in my time, I discovered a little of that dielectric grease (used for your plug wire connections) smeared inside the rotor where it goes on the distrubutor shaft makes it MUCH easier to come off the next time.