No Distributor Signal- '92 STS

[JustDoug]

Hello All,

I could really use a little input form you all. Recently, my '92 STS has intermitently quit running, or refused to fire up- ran the codes...a few to choose from, but the problem seems to be...

E012- No Distributor Signal (Current anytime it won't run, as well as in History)

also in History:
E030 ISC Rpm Out Of Range
E052 PCM Memory Reset
E053 Distributor Signal Interupted

I052 Keep Alive Memory Error

R033 Steering Diode Shorted In Arming Sensor
R034 Dual Pole Arming Sensor Ignition Feed Open

Thought I should mention that the car did sit for a while with a discharged battery- dropped in a new one, and off we went. All was well for several weeks, then it wouldn't fire up one day (for my Wife, of course!).

Seems that it only occurs when the engine is warm, and if left to sit for a while it always starts. Only time it has stalled while driving is at a stop, and I think that's due to the idle being to low. If I keep it running, it seems fine.

Oh yeah, I'm proud to announce that I've just turned over 200,000 miles!

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Doug

[cctgene]

What I'd do for starters would be to remove the ignition module, inside the distributor, and take it to a local auto store and have it tested.

[kdcing]

Yes, the symptoms are classic of a bad ignition module. Be careful of testing it @ an Auto Parts store as it very easily could give a "false good" indication. They tend to fail at elevated temps which cannot be reproduced in the Auto Parts Store. Mine was on the tester for 15 minutes and continued to show a pass...however, my engine would only start after replacing it.

In any case, the Ignition module is only about $25 @ AutoZone and I'd put my money on that yours is bad.

Btw, is your engine a 4.9L in the '92 STS?

[JustDoug]

Thanks, Guys! The Engine is the 4.9, and it does seem to act up only when the engine is up to operating temp. I'll repace the module, and let you know...

Doug

[NickySantoro]

Before you pull the module, make a sketch of which color wire goes where. By this time those plastic connectors are pretty crispy. They really don't do anything except orient the wires and if they do fall apart you can just plug the individual female connectors to the right male connectors with no problem. What often happens is that they crumble upon removal and the the big guessing game about what goes where begins.