90 spirit won't run

I have a problem with my 1990 Dodge Spirit (2.5L non-turbo) that fires, but
won't run. To keep it running, I have to pump the gas fairly fast. When I
press the gas pedal, it accellerates for about a second, then it will stall if
I don't pump it again. I originally thought it was the AIS, so I replaced that.
That didn't work. I remembered the trick for the self-diagnostic and did
that. Originally, the self-diagnostic came up with codes 12, 15 and 24. One
was "Battery was recently disconnected", one was "TPS reads over 4.96V", and
the other was "Speed/Distance sensor wasn't receiving a signal". I went back
to work on it today, disconnected the battery, started the car (pumping the
gas) and kept it running for a little while and re-checked the diagnostic
codes. Nothing. I replaced the TPS sensor anyways and nothing. It's getting
spark and it's getting gas. The only thing I can think of is it's something
electrical. I parked it wednesday morning, and it ran fine. Wednesday night,
I went to go home, and it wouldn't start.
Any ideas?
TIA
Wes

In article >,
(Faulguys) wrote:

> I have a problem with my 1990 Dodge Spirit (2.5L non-turbo) that fires, but
> won't run. To keep it running, I have to pump the gas fairly fast. When I
> press the gas pedal, it accellerates for about a second, then it will stall
> if
> I don't pump it again. I originally thought it was the AIS, so I replaced
> that.
> That didn't work. I remembered the trick for the self-diagnostic and did
> that. Originally, the self-diagnostic came up with codes 12, 15 and 24. One
> was "Battery was recently disconnected", one was "TPS reads over 4.96V", and
> the other was "Speed/Distance sensor wasn't receiving a signal". I went back
> to work on it today, disconnected the battery, started the car (pumping the
> gas) and kept it running for a little while and re-checked the diagnostic
> codes. Nothing. I replaced the TPS sensor anyways and nothing. It's
> getting
> spark and it's getting gas. The only thing I can think of is it's something
> electrical. I parked it wednesday morning, and it ran fine. Wednesday
> night,
> I went to go home, and it wouldn't start.
> Any ideas?

Yup,

Open circuit on the ground leg of the TPS.

In article >,
(Faulguys) wrote:

> I have a problem with my 1990 Dodge Spirit (2.5L non-turbo) that fires, but
> won't run. To keep it running, I have to pump the gas fairly fast. When I
> press the gas pedal, it accellerates for about a second, then it will stall
> if
> I don't pump it again. I originally thought it was the AIS, so I replaced
> that.
> That didn't work. I remembered the trick for the self-diagnostic and did
> that. Originally, the self-diagnostic came up with codes 12, 15 and 24. One
> was "Battery was recently disconnected", one was "TPS reads over 4.96V", and
> the other was "Speed/Distance sensor wasn't receiving a signal". I went back
> to work on it today, disconnected the battery, started the car (pumping the
> gas) and kept it running for a little while and re-checked the diagnostic
> codes. Nothing. I replaced the TPS sensor anyways and nothing. It's
> getting
> spark and it's getting gas. The only thing I can think of is it's something
> electrical. I parked it wednesday morning, and it ran fine. Wednesday
> night,
> I went to go home, and it wouldn't start.
> Any ideas?

Yup,

Open circuit on the ground leg of the TPS.

I'll check for this tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.
I just found some more things to check tomorrow if this doesn't work.
Thanks,
Wes

I'll check for this tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.
I just found some more things to check tomorrow if this doesn't work.
Thanks,
Wes

If you are still getting the fault for the TPS sensor, or the vehicle speed
sensor, that could be the problem, check all grounds for the TPS circuit,
if the Vehicle speed sensor is faulty and telling the PCM that it is going
114 miles an hr or more it will cause a no start or shut down, also, if
possible, check fuel pressure when the problem is occuring.
Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

If you are still getting the fault for the TPS sensor, or the vehicle speed
sensor, that could be the problem, check all grounds for the TPS circuit,
if the Vehicle speed sensor is faulty and telling the PCM that it is going
114 miles an hr or more it will cause a no start or shut down, also, if
possible, check fuel pressure when the problem is occuring.
Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

The TPS fault code isn't coming up since I disconnected the battery. I even
kept it running until it warmed up, but the only fault code that comes up is
code 12 ("Battery was recently disconnected") and code 55 ("End of Fault
Codes").
Wes

The TPS fault code isn't coming up since I disconnected the battery. I even
kept it running until it warmed up, but the only fault code that comes up is
code 12 ("Battery was recently disconnected") and code 55 ("End of Fault
Codes").
Wes

Alright - here's an update. We checked the resistance to the ECM from the
speed sensor, TPS, AIS, and fuel injector cap. The only thing with a
noticeable resistance was the ground from the fuel injector cap, which read
between 9 and 10 ohms. I was able to keep the car idling using starting fluid.
While it was idling, the hot wire going to the fuel injector cap was reading a
steady 14V.
From this info, I have a few questions.
1. I assume I should replace the ground wire from the fuel injector cap - 9
ohms is way too high.
2. Is the 14V for the injector cap within reason?
3. Is there anything else it could be besides the fuel pressure or the
injector itself? I'm checking to see if I can get my hands on a fuel pressure
guage tonight.
Thanks,
Wes