DTC codes

[Kim2]

i have a 2002 au fairmont that wont start.
had mechanic and auto electrician look at it.
told crank angle sensor was faulty.
changed it, still no go.
a friend of a friend has a diagnostic tool that reads fault codes.
i found a fault code search on this site, but it requires a DTC code to search.
i have no idea what a DTC code is so, can someone tell me what is a DTC code and where i find it ?
any help on how to search fault codes would be appreciated

[superroo]

What's the security light doing when you try to start it or with the ignition on?
Flashing or not illuminated?

[Kim2]

smart shield is working correctly

[11ford11]

have friend of a friend scan for fault codes - ie.DTC -then use result to carry out fault code search

[Kim2]

thanks, if i understand correctly, the DTC is the fault code, is that right ?
sorry if i seem a bit thick, last time i worked on a car they didn't have any electronics

[11ford11]

Yes dtc is the fault code (Diagnostic Trouble Code) -remember that it gives a general starting point as it is possible for other things to cause a code ...eg faulty earth affecting voltage to a sensor etc.
More detail of fault might help eg cranks won't fire -voltage -can hear fuel pump etc

[Kim2]

thanks again,
started with engine dying for a split second when taking off from stop sign etc.
only happened ever now and then over a period of a month or so.
then one night it happened but it cut out completely, backed off accelerator and it roared back to life, drove a bit, stop sign, same thing.
thought i might be low on gas so switched to petrol. same thing happened again.
same thing happened for the 5 or so k's on the drive home.
at that point the car would start easily on gas or petrol and idle and rev normally but would cut out as soon as i tried to drive it. (at that point i thought is was a vacuum problem) now it won't start at all.
motor turns over easily, i have spark at the plugs, i can hear the fuel pump working.
i was going to try and test fuel pressure / delivery but have to run motor to de pressurize fuel system.
any suggestions would be welcome

[11ford11]

Originally Posted by Kim2

thanks again,
started with engine dying for a split second when taking off from stop sign etc.
only happened ever now and then over a period of a month or so.
then one night it happened but it cut out completely, backed off accelerator and it roared back to life, drove a bit, stop sign, same thing.
thought i might be low on gas so switched to petrol. same thing happened again.
same thing happened for the 5 or so k's on the drive home.
at that point the car would start easily on gas or petrol and idle and rev normally but would cut out as soon as i tried to drive it. (at that point i thought is was a vacuum problem) now it won't start at all.
motor turns over easily, i have spark at the plugs, i can hear the fuel pump working.
i was going to try and test fuel pressure / delivery but have to run motor to de pressurize fuel system.
any suggestions would be welcome

have you scanned for codes -
did mechanic have codes before he changed crank sensor - (did he charge you for not fixing it ??)
possible but unlikely for fuel and gas to play up at same time
check battery voltage cranking 9.5 volts or better
harmonic balancer may have slipped -(puts timing out)
possible blocked exhaust

[Kim2]

no codes yet, bloke coming tomorrow,
auto electrician did not have reader, but said it was the crank angle sensor
i changed the sensor myself and yes he did charge me, and is not returning messages.

[Kim2]

still not going. friend of a friends code reader reads almost all cars but not
my 2002 au.
he did some tests with a multi-meter and said it looked like it might be a faulty coil pack.
removed a plug to check for spark, car would not even turn over not even a click.
put new battery in , still nothing. so i have two questions,
1) where can i find info on changing the coil park (i cant find any in the manual)
2)is it worth getting a code reader and if so where do i find info on getting the right type

[Franco Cozzo]

Have you got a fuel pressure test kit? Might be worth hooking it up and cranking her over see if you get any fuel to the injector rail.

We've had 4 customers in the last few weeks with faulty fuel pumps, cutting out under load etc.

[Kim2]

wont turn over so can't test fuel pressure.
RAC have towed it to their workshop to see if they can
figure out what is going on.
so far have had one mechanic and 3 auto electricians look at it
and none of them has been able to work out why it wont go.

[Franco Cozzo]

Check body and engine earths, do all the lights come on when you go to ignition on the cluster? Including stereo?

If the fuse blows that controls the stereo and interior light it wont start, check it with a test light, preferably the old school globe test light.

[Kim2]

finally found fault, didn't show up with scan but was a loose wire on inhibitor switch.
thanks to those who offered suggestions