My moms' '99 SL 2 has for the last 8 months has had an intermittent no start condition. Sometimes overnight cold, sometimes at the gas station, etc., etc. After 1-6 minutes it would always restart and run normal for 30-60 days.

I was getting ready to replace the ECTS as many others on this forum had suggested. There was no check engine light or any stored fault codes. This did not seem like the "warm no start" associated with the ECTS failure, as this engine was overnight cold. Troubleshooting revealed no spark on any cylinders.

The problem was traced to a faulty (open) Crankshft Position Sensor (CPS). As some others on this forum have noted, the CPS does act weird, with intermittent "no start" conditions prior to complete failure. Be aware if yours is acting up.

$ 21 at NAPA. Installed and started right up.

 

Usually the ECTS problem is consistant. It is difficult to diagnose a intermittant problem without knowing all of the symptoms.ECTS problems won't affect the spark. CPS problems will result in no spark.

 

job well done