Dear petiboy,

Hope you're well. If the RPM (crank) sensor's insulation is "broken apart", it must be replaced, as moisture can get at the wires, and so cause the signal to be lost. This will produce intermittent operation.

When the RPM sensor's signal is lost, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) causes the fuel pump to shut-down. This is a safety measure: were a collision to cut a fuel line, the loss of the RPM sensor's signal (because the engine had stopped turning) prevents the fuel pump from spraying fuel onto the ground or - far worse - onto to a hot engine.

Because failed insulation on the RPM/Crank Sensor definitely means this part has to be replaced, I'd do this, before doing anything else. I'd guess a replacement - about $35 (aftermarket) - will cure the problem. See the FAQs for installation guidance.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

When the vehicle is refusing to start you need ascertain if it has A)Fuel at the rail, and B)Spark. Your fuel rail should have a schrader(bicycle type) valve that you can depress in the middle and see if gas comes out(use a rag to wrap around it as it will be under pressure). Just put key in Key position II to prime and pressurize it first. This will tell you if you have fuel. Then take a spare spark plug, remove a plug wire from one of your plugs and insert spare spark plug in end, ground end of plug to suitable ground location and check for spark when cranking engine(you will need a second pair of hands). Now of course use common sense and clean up any gas residues before ya go sparking anything!!!! BOOOOM! Report back with findings.