Pretest Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1994 Plymouth Laser and 1994 Eagle Talon. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before proceeding with diagnosis, the following precautions must be followed:

Always check if any TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS apply to vehicle.
Use caution whenever removing a fuel line or fitting. Fuel is under pressure and may cause personal injury.
When using SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTS for diagnosis, DO NOT skip any steps, or incorrect diagnosis may result. Always perform indicated verification procedure after repairs are made.
When using a jumper wire, ensure either the jumper wire or circuit is fuse-protected.
Vehicle must have a fully charged battery and functional charging system.
Probe ECU connector from pin side. DO NOT backprobe ECU connector.
DO NOT cause short circuits when performing electrical tests. This will set additional fault codes, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
DO NOT use a test light in place of a voltmeter.
When checking for spark, ensure coil wire is NOT more than 1/4" from ground. If coil wire is more than 1/4" from ground, damage to vehicle electronics and/or ECU may result.
DO NOT prolong testing of fuel injectors, or engine may hydrostatically (liquid) lock.
When vehicle has multiple fault codes, always repair lowest number fault code (using voltmeter) or first fault displayed (using DRB) first.
Always disconnect DRB after use.
Always disconnect DRB before charging battery.