Not Starting

[Gerhard]

Hi All,

2l I.E. Coupe Auto. Try starting it, this morning. Starter motor sound good, engine is turning over good, but not starting/firing up. What can be wrong?

Thanks

[Hawk]

An issue with the spark, timing, fuel or compression would be my guess

But seriously .... when was the last time you had it running? 

[lanciamad]

Check for spark first, take the ht lead from the coil to the distributor and put it near the block or somewhere similar to see if it's sparking. If it is, then do the basic check if your fuel pumps working. Loosen off the hose from air filter housing to the air flow meter, and push the flap open with your hand while ignition is on, you should hear the pump working, and after a few seconds should hear a change in tone as the fuel pressure regulator starts working. Give it a crank and see what happens, at least it's got the right fuel pressure. I've had it in the past where I haven't used it for a month or two, and have built the pressure up before cranking. Fires up first time instead of endless turning over.
Good luck.

[rossocorsa]

there is a black plastic circular/drum shaped connector for the loom somewhere  near the battery this often gives problems due to bad connections

[millieman]

Hi, if has digiplex check the sencors on the gearbox and on crank pulley. Or it could be an air leak plenium  side of airflow meter.

[Gerhard]

Thanks for all the inputs. (Lanciamad & Rossocorsa & Millieman) I will check out all your suggestions.

Hawk, it is in daily use by my son. So it was running the day before.

Please see the attached photo's. Is this the starter motor? If so how do you get it out, as I am told that the "clutch in the starter motor is not engaging"

If somebody have a exploded diagram of the starter motor, please can you share it with me, as I am planing on tackling the problem on my own. (Son is a student and his funds is very limited)

Thanks,

Gerhard.

[MattNoVAT]

Gerhard,

Thats the Alternator ringed in red.  The starter motor is underneath and towards the left hand side of the car.  If you look on the gearbox side of the engine between the cooling radiator and the block you will see the starter motor, it will have thick cables attached.

Once you have located it, try getting a length of wood and giving a sharp knock as someone tries turning the key.  If the engine starts then the starter motor will need attention.

[Hawk]

As has been suggested,give the starter motor a good thump with a block of wood.

Then before you start pulling things apart, eliminate the obvious and easy to check - starting with sparks and fuel.  Also have a look at the air filter - it's unlikely given it was running the day before but you never know. I had a Dolomite Sprint about 20 years ago that suddenly started running like a dog - turns out I had a dead bird stuck in the air filter trumpet! 

[Gerhard]

Gave it the good whack this morning. Had to approached it from underneath the car. (Sits next to the right hand wheel) Started first time. So now its with the mechanic and I am awaiting the good news about how much it will cost.

Thanks again for all the inputs.

Gerhard.

[MattNoVAT]

Well, at least you know what the problem is, so should be straight forward from now.  

Not sure whether they will overhaul yours or find a new/reconditioned one.  

When this happened on one of my Betas years ago I just carried that length of wood around until I could get hold of a replacement.

[Hawk]

Fingrs crossed it's a cheap (ish) fix

[Gerhard]

Noticed that my previous post was not logged to the site, so here again;

Got the car back from the mechanic yesterday, he removed the starter motor and had it reconditioned. He explained in detail what was done, I nodded a lot and looked very intelligent about it, but did not understand a word of it. Anyway, it seems to be fine, and it cost me R1, 125.00 (About 93 in the queens finest)

Hurrah for old school mechanics!!

[Hawk]

£93 for soemone to remove the starter motor, recondition it and refit sounds like a bargain to me. 

[Gerhard]

Me thought it was expensive!

[MattNoVAT]

£93 for soemone to remove the starter motor, recondition it and refit sounds like a bargain to me. 

Agreed - its an hours labour to remove and refit alone.  Then the time to recondition.... £93 was a bargain!