starting issues with rb30

[paulr33]

hi guys,

my friend has a 1987 vl that isnt starting properly intermittently and i was wondering if any of you guys could shed some ideas on what and where to look and stuff to try and debug it further. here is what ive found and heard so far:

1987

series 1 rb30e

when starting doesnt crank over, no warnings lights

when cranks it works fine, intermittently struggles to idle

engine dies when afm disconnected, is this normal

mechanic has suggested cas could be dead (pointed at the camshaft on the front). he said that he unplugs the afm the engine stalls, my understanding well at least in the rb20 and rb25 is that it will run with a dead airflowmeter just wont rev past 2500, is this the case in the rb30 as well ? i cant hook up my consult as the rb30 didnt have the consult did it? ill try the onboard ecu diag and see what the comes up with as well. any other ideas/info ?

[caminperth]

I had massive long term problems like this with my old VL. Tried two separate dealers and a so called engine management guru.. none could find the problem and I found it only by accident.

Check the connection to the coil. There should be a spark lead on one end and a plug with two wires at the other. Check the crimp connectors on the two wires. They will probably be worn and loose so close them up with some pliers so they make good contact.

Hope it works..