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sounds like a power loss to ecu or a bad ecu.
with key on the check engine light should be on until still. I think flashing signals something in codes or history delete, something like that, but with the key on, you have communication if it lights up.
If the light is out on key on, then the ecu is either not powering up or the ecu is bad.
Any clue as to why? When I can get it to run it sounds good.
On my '05 the cam position sensor wire is squeezed in next to the upper timing belt cover and also the deco cover. Don't know if your '09 is similar, but if it it, I'm wondering if during the VC gasket replacement, you could have pinched that wire and caused it to short. If that happened it could explain a no start condition, and an ECU problem as well. Is that possible on your '09?
Clean that ground also and the surface that it touches really good. I think avguy has part of it possibly because if you pry around that sensor like I did when I was taking my head off then you will crack it pretty easily. They are not really expensive to replace either just takes a little bit of time as you well know. It is coming and going that makes me feel it is a ground problem. Run good when it is gives me that confident you got the plugs all back in right. Can't be the EGR it seems. Fuel rail wires are plugged in it sounds. Yeah ground sounds more like the culprit. Make sure there is a star washer and there is a real good clean contact.
I didn't have to pry the valve cover off. I have a plastic putty knife I managed to work in there. I took mine time and was very careful not to use a lot of pressure on the cover. It was cold and I was afraid I would crack it. I will give the ground cleaning a try when I get home tonight. If that doesn't fix the problem it is going to the dealer tomorrow. I have to get the car back on the road. When I finally firgure this out I will let you know what it was.
Defintely redo the ground point. It sounds like a grounding issue. I always use copper shield or copper based anti-seize on all my ground connections as well as my battery terminals. It gives them a solid electrical connection as well as protects against corrosion. Coppershield is what we used on all critical connections at the power plant when I used to do that kind of work. Copper based anti-seize is nearly identical.
Then like you said, if that doesn't take care of it send it to the dealer. It may end up being an ecu like rabbit suggested.
Boy, do I feel stupid. It was the ground cable. Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions. Apparently when I was putting everything together I put the bolt in hand tight and never put a wrench on it. I was so focused on all the other connecters I forgot about it. I tightened it up and now she runs like a champ. Here's a picture of the little bastard that was giving me so much grief.
Attachment 7974
Since some of you were asking about the 2009 valve cover and coil pack location I snapped a couple of extra pictures.
Here is the valve cover with the slide cover in place over the coil pack.
Attachment 7975
The biggest pain about this is the way the wiring harness wraps around the valve cover.
Attachment 7977
Here is a picture with the slide cover removed showing the coil pack.
Attachment 7976
Again thanks for all your help.
glad it was resolved, and simple to boot.
Glad to hear the problem is fixed -and cheaply too!
I never knew the newer engines had a coil pack that snapped directly on the plugs like that. It reminds me of how they are on the chevy V8 pickups. The plus side is no plug wires to change!
glad that was the fix.