Intermittently won't start/run - ignition issue?

[Paul Davis]

My wife was driving my 90 1G Turbo FWD and the engine quit on her as she was pulling out of a parking lot.
BCAA came and couldn't get it started so we had it towed to a shop (unfortunately not near home).
On first try, it wouldn't start for them and the mechanic felt it wasn't getting spark.
He hooked it up to his diagnostic equipment, and then it did start and ran fine for 15 minutes.
He let it cool for a while and tried again and it started and ran fine again.
My wife went back to pick it up (after hours) and it wouldn't start again.

Does this sound like something a coil or power transistor would cause?

If so, does anyone have either/or of those that I could borrow or buy (I'm in Surrey, car is in Pitt Meadows).
The 90 version of the power transistor is different than 91-94.

[Brent Hunter]

Sounds almost like when my ecu went. Would be a good idea to check that out.
Good luck

[John Hartman]

I agree, ECU.  Of course it could be a power transistor, coil pack or cam angle sensor, or even a fuel pump, but thats pretty rare on these cars.

I would look at/test/swap the ECU first.

Of course, being that your car is a 90, the ECU is oddball too.

PS, make sure you get a turbo ECU if you get one.  Lots of other ECUs will run the car, but without knock sensor circuitry, you will blow up your engine pretty soon when you hit boost and there is knock but no ignition retard and bleeding off of boost.

[Jordan Kruger]

check that all molex connectors are fully clipped into the back of the ecu.

[Brent Hunter]

I believe thiers a 90 turbo ecu on craigslist right now for $100

[Paul Davis]

It looks like it's the ECU.  Something looks a little toasty in this picture.
Thanks to Brent's heads-up, I'm pursuing the ECU on craigslist.

[John Hartman]

if its an Eprom, save it, and see if you can find someone to repair it.  yes get yourself another one in the time being, but keep that alive if its an Eprom.

[Brent Hunter]

It looks like it's the ECU.  Something looks a little toasty in this picture.
Thanks to Brent's heads-up, I'm pursuing the ECU on craigslist.

No problem, always glad to help Somone out.

[Paul Davis]

I picked up the '90 ECU from Alex in Ladner, installed it and the car fired right up.

Sorry to say that neither the old nor new ECUs are EEPROM.

[Greg Durban]

Good to hear your problems fixxed!