[legendLS]

My Legend had been driving fine until a couple of days ago. I was cruising at round 70 mph when the it suddenly died on me. Luckily I was able to pull over safely and the car just wouldn't start. One minute or so before it died, the oil light was blinking then the check engine light came on. I had it towed home and checked the ECU, which showed code 2 (rear oxygen sensor). I reset the ECU but the car never starts again. I changed the main relay, desoldered then resolder one of them. I changed the ignition module (I had three from my previous junk yard collection). Nothing worked. I tested the spark plug coil but had no sparks. I opened up the distributor cap and found the original rotor melted. The rotor was replaced but again, no sparks, no start. Fuel pump works fine as I could hear it buzz and fuel squirting out from fuel line off the fuel filter, which was replaced 4 years ago. After the car died, the engine was able to crank but after changing the relays and ignition module, it didn't turn over or crank anymore. All it does now when I turn the key is making tick, tick, tick sound with all the lights on the dash board and clock flashing.

My search over the last couple days showed some threads saying the Radio Noise Condenser could be the culprit. I can't find its location under the hood.

Some comments on other threads about a similar car mentioned that the engine could be toasted. Is it true?

I can't let this girl go so soon. Any help is appreciated.

 

[C25A1guy]

Got oil in the engine?

 

[legendLS]

It was very strange that when I pulled over on highway shoulder, the car was tilted due to the shoulder's grade. I checked the dipstick and it was like bone dry. I thought it was the oil problem so I poured about 1.25 quart in there but still no start. After the car was towed back home and on level ground, the dipstick showed the oil was full (right above the max mark). The oil light had flashed for several years now. When it flashed I just stopped, turned off the engine and turne back on and it was gone. This time the engine died before I had a chance to pull over and turn off the engine. The thing is I just changed the oil a week prior. I didn't see any sign of oil leak on the floor or ground. At the time of the incidence I believe the engine had at least 3.5 quarts.

 

[legendLS]

Did some more testing and observation. After turning the key to ON position the CHECK ENGINE light came on then went away. After the O2 sensor code on the day it died and I reset the ECU, no more code. I replaced the Radio Noise Condenser and Igniter with those from a salvage yard but still no sparks. The distributor rotor just doesn't turn. Well, it turned 1/4 turn, it that matters. I haven't check the timing belt yet but there are only 40k miles into this belt which was replaced by the dealership back in 2008.

Any ideas?

 

[C25A1guy]

Is the set screw on the underside of the rotor still there? Is the shaft itself turning? Might need to pull the distributor to check it out.

 

[legendLS]

The screw was still intact. I removed the screw to install the new rotor. Are there any ways to test the distributor without removing it?

 

[C25A1guy]

Well, you can test stuff like the coil (which should be external if I remember correctly) or the ignition module. As far as rotation, not really since the distributor is driven by the camshaft.

 

[legendLS]

After replacing the melted distributor rotor, I tested everything and it seemed fine. No blown fuses. Then finally it was the battery being drained after so many cranks that couldn't start the car. I had the battery recharged and the Legend is up and running now.

But I still want to know what caused the rotor to melt in the first place. Now when the Legend starts I could hear a chirping/squeaking sound coming from the engine while the gear was in Park. I can't tell exactly where it's from. After driving for a few minutes the noise is gone even when it's in Park. Is it the bearing in the distributor, camshaft or something else? Is it a sign of something major is going to fail soon? I don't want the rotor to melt and the Legend dies while driving again.