New to the Z31… first problem

did it start when you got it?

just got it yesterday… no it did not start

check the fuses and relays to.

is there a way to make the ECU throw codes like in the Z32? or some type of self diagnostics?

get a haynes manual.

Yes. The ECU's came with a label from the factory with the codes printed on it. You can run the self diagnostics just as the Z32.

Check your ignition coil. Pull all of your wires and confirm you're getting spark. If you're getting spark and fuel, it's possibly the ECU. You said a new distributor, but did you mean cap/rotor or an entire new distributor?

Run codes. If you don't have a Haynes and/or your sticker is no longer on your ECU, they break down like this:

Code 11 - Crank Angle Sensor
Code 12 - Air Flow Meter
Code 13 - Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor
Code 14 - Speed Sensor
Code 21 - Ignition Signal
Code 22 - Fuel Pump
Code 23 - Idle Switch
Code 24 - Nuetral Switch
Code 31 - Air Conditioner
Code 32 - Start Signal
Code 34 - Detonation Sensor
Code 41 - Fuel Temperature Sensor
Code 44 - OK

It has new plugs, cap, rotor, crank sensor, and coil. I also have a Haynes manual for it.

http://www.xenonz31.com/ECUcodes.html

Here is how to run them on the Z31

check compression if all else fail

I have a similar reoccuring issue. I try to start the car - it'll crank and crank and crank. Fuel pump primes, starter motor seems fine, then I have to take the distributor cap off and poke around, and usually by the time I put it back to together, it'll start ok. Other times not. So it's an intermittant problem that really gets on my nerves. Expecially when it happens at a gas station.

check the ground wires in the engine bay. i had a bad ground and it fried 2 dists. fixed it its been fine ever since.

okay, so I got it to start for about 45 sec. drove it about 300-400 ft and it died. I ran the codes and it says MAF, AC, CAS checked the MAF, no problems… cant for the life of me find the CAS though… and as for the AC, im not too worried about it.

so my new question is… where is the crank angle sensor?

the cas is built into the dist.

hmmm… took the dist. apart today, everything looked new as the PO said it was. Assuming the plug on the bottom is what connects to the CAS?