2003 Vibe Base Won't Start Code P0340

[2008rlctx]

Hey Guys,

First time poster:

About 6 months ago now, I kill my vibe running normally and run in the store for 10 minutes. I come back out and it won't start!
I tried just about everything I could think of and gave up and bought another vibe!

I've now got the old vibe in the driveway and have been trying various things to get it to start.

It will crank but not start.
Fuel pressure is about 50 psi during cranking with fuel line connected only to gauge (zero flow).
Every spark plug fires.
Each fuel injector connector will light up a noid light during cranking.
I discovered the CEL doesn't light up at all and pulled a code P0340 stored in memory.
I erase it and it comes right back.
I checked the Cam shaft position sensor and found the resistance to be in spec, but replaced it anyway just in case, to no effect.

The car has almost a full tank of gas (38 miles on the fill up at the time it stopped working) so there is a lot of gas in it. Some separation may have occured over the last 6 months, but who knows. I don't think that will keep it from running.

I checked compression recently and found 80, 120, 100, 170. I poured a little oil in the cylinders and brought the low ones up to 130-150 so everything is decent now and I think the low numbers have been caused by completely dry piston rings (during the sitting, all the oil has drained to the pan, so the rings were likely dry enough to cause low compression).

I've read the instructions of the repair manual and they say to check the wiring between the ECM and the cam position sensor. I haven't done that yet, but I don't suspect that would be something that would happen in a ten minute period of time between killing the car in the parking lot and 10 minutes later it won't start. I need some longer wires for my multimeter in order to test this.

I'm wondering if you guys have any other ideas?

The car has 216k miles and the bottom end of the engine was rebuilt at about 145k.
This car has been great to me and I'd love to get some more miles out of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Also, the last step in the procedure for thei code is "Check and Replace ECM".
I don't really have $300 to "try" a new/rebuilt ECM, but if there is anyone in the Tyler, Texas area that I could swap mine with to see if that is the problem, I think that would be awesome and it would sure be worth me buying lunch!

[joatmon]

I can't help you with a loaner ECM, but it's been a while, have you made any progress on getting the Vibe started?

[star_deceiver]

Simple question but, did you check all the fuses and relays? I know that there are a few that protect the ecu, and several other vital systems.

[2008rlctx]

I checked fuses/relays, but I can't say with certainty that I checked all of them.
It's getting hot around here, 90+ in afternoons and I hate to admit it, but over summer I don't think I'll be working on the old vibe.
Anybody have any ideas on getting the most money out of a used vibe that won't start and with 216k miles?

Thanks

[joatmon]

according to car-parts.com, RCS Auto Recyclers @ 10809 Hwy 271 North - Tyler, Texas 75708 has a 2003 base ECM but they don't list a price.

in general, junkyards are not the easiest folks with which to negotiate a special deal, but you never know if you don't try. Perhaps you could stop in there, tell them your troubles, and see if they will sell you the ECM under the condition that if it doesn't solve the problem, they will allow you to return it for a mutually acceptable re-stocking fee.

[2008rlctx]

The junk yard thing is a grat suggestion!
Sadly, this vibe was sold as is last saturday.
First car ever to stump me with a problem!