Engine suddenly cut out - no spark

[nxp]

Hi!

I'd like some help with diagnosing my brother's Kia Pride (EFI car, late 90s). He was driving along in 5th when the engine suddenly stopped. The first symptoms were "no spark" so I checked the coil and the ignition amplifier and both were good.

We got a distributor from a junkyard but that didn't help at all.

The fuel pump is not switching on (but the fuel pump is ok - we checked it out of the car). Once I heard a guy mention that on these cars if the ECU has a problem with the ignition system it does not turn on the pump. Is this true?

I don't know if this is relevant but the car occasionally felt sluggish at low revs while at other times it was strong and torquey

[batstiva]

Hi!

I'd like some help with diagnosing my brother's Kia Pride (EFI car, late 90s). He was driving along in 5th when the engine suddenly stopped. The first symptoms were "no spark" so I checked the coil and the ignition amplifier and both were good.

We got a distributor from a junkyard but that didn't help at all.

The fuel pump is not switching on (but the fuel pump is ok - we checked it out of the car). Once I heard a guy mention that on these cars if the ECU has a problem with the ignition system it does not turn on the pump. Is this true?

I don't know if this is relevant but the car occasionally felt sluggish at low revs while at other times it was strong and torquey

Do the Kia Prides (assuming you are not in the States) have the fuel pump inertia switch in the passenger side, rear compartment, like the FI Festivas have? It'd be behind the small, removable grill piece. You have spark to the plugs, correct? Could you humor me, and check the fusible links for corrosion/ breakage?



Did a quick search for images of Kia Pride engine bays, and didn't come up with any FI cars. But those are the same, in the same place, on carby and FI Festivas here.

[nxp]

Hi Bat,

I'll check the fusible links and the inertia switch if present.

There is actually NO spark in this case, the pump not working could be from the ECU not turning it on, but I'm not sure. Do you know where the fuel pump relay is located?

I'm assuming the distributor/pickup is the same for the Avella/Aspire and Pride/Festiva so I'll try one from a known-working Avella.

[nxp]

I've been doing some diagnostics... and I'm confused.

The distributor (crankshaft position sensor) checks out as ok (using the simple LED tester).

The "main" fusible link seemed dubious (cut and twisted together) so I bridged that. Also cleaned the contacts there.

Shorting the fuel test connector (black and green-red) does not turn on the pump. Where is the fuel pump relay?

Shorting the self-test input (yellow-green, and yes, I checked it was not the RPM test output) gives no flashing lights on the dashboard. There is no dedicated check engine light, and I am only assuming that this function is shared with the (!) light, but this doesn't flash.

I have tried forcimg a trouble code, both by unplugging the TPS and by unplugging the VAF, but still no flashing.

What else can I check before going to an electrician (expensive)?

[hermit]

hey i had this happen to me in my festiva, turned out to be dirty connection to the fuel injectors, cleaned the connector ends, gave it a good tap, and car started up again

[Pu241]

On U.S., and I will assume, all other EFI Festivas/Aspires/Prides the VAF has a switch inside it that will not permit the pump to run if there is no air flow.
Check the connection to the VAF for burned/corroded contacts.
This however is should not cause an issue with spark.

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