I'm troubleshooting a non starting issue. The car sounds like the timing is way off. I'd like to test the crank trigger sensor but don't see any posts on how to do that. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

You haven't seen any posts for it because there is no "crank trigger," and the crankshaft position sensor has nothing to do with spark timing. It is only used to detect misfires and by itself cannot cause a no-start condition.

Check for spark at the coil and for adequate fuel pressure. Are there any stored codes in the PCM?

 

I've checked for and have spark at every cylinder, replaced all the plugs. I was running at about 6000 rpm, let up on the gas and I got a backfire, I shifted up a gear and llet up on the gas, backfired again and hasen't run since. When I turn the car over it never seems to come close to catching at all.

 

Gotcha. Check your fuel pressure next.

 

I've got an external fuel pressure guage on the schrader valve showing 40psi when it primes prior to starting.

 

Sounds like your opti is toast or got wet. I had one backfiring and it was the opti. Just because it's firing doesn't mean it's firing at the right time. I would check for injector pulse first then pull the opti.

 

How does one check for or check the injector pulse?

 

I just spoke with MSD, the mfg of the Opti, and they will repair for somewhere between $23.00 to $111.00 which is cheaper than replacing the cap and rotor on the stock unit.

 

How do you know its the MSD Opti? Have you tried to pull the codes? Loss of the high or low resolution pulse from the optical cam position sensor in Opti (the equivalent of the crank trigger/sensor, but suitable for full sequential fuel injection) will set trouble codes in the PCM.

You check for the injector ground pulse by using a 'noid light.

 

I put an MSD Opti on it when it was rebuilt with my modes, pn 83811
I still have the stock unit but after speaking with MSD they mentioned several upgrades to the unit since I purchased it in 2007. The problem I have now is the hub for the professional-products harmonic damper is in the way and I'm going to need to use a puller, unlike if I had used the stock damper. I hate to ask but what is a "'noid light"? Continuity tester? Would a fluke DVM work?

 

I'll ask this a slightly different way..... how do you know the MSD Opti is the problem?

Have you pulled codes?

A noid light is a small light that plugs into the injector harness connector, and flashes every time the PCM provides the ground pulse that fires the injector.

 

I spoke with MSD and described the problem. They seemed convinced that the OPTI was the problem. I did run datamaster while trying to start the car. There are several DTC codes listed in the View DTC codes most are for systems no longer on the car, EGR for example.

 

May want to at some point tune out those systems you arent using. That way you will know when you have an actual problem...

as well if understood correctly there are no Other other codes aside from your deleted systems?