Car not starting...HELP!

[andyneedham2]

Hey guys, just some advice if you would.

I jumped in the car this morning to drive to work but it wouldn't fire. The engine was turning over, volts on the batt were around the 12v mark and I could smell the fuel going to the carb (just had new fuel system). The car has only done a few thousand miles with a new dizzy on so I doubt it would be that. Is there anything I could check? What am I checking for? and how should I check it.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

Andy

[bensspares]

hi,

is it deffinatly firing ie is there a spark at the plug ?????????????????????.

ben

[andyneedham2]

I'm not sure to be honest, had to leave in a rush this morning. Whats the best way to check if there is a spark from the plug?

It wasn't catching at any point when turning over. When my dizzy packed in I had the same experience, turning but not firing.

Cheers

[bensspares]

remove a plug,hold it against the head (whilst turning engine on starter), check for a strong blue spark.wear marigold glove or hold plug with something insuler to prevent an electric shock.(it wont kill you but will be a bit of a buz).


ben

[bensspares]

also what car/year/engine is this ?????
have you replaced rotor arm,coil,h.t leads recently ??????

i have my suspisions but need the above questions answered first.

ben

[andyneedham2]

Hi mate,

Thanks for the help so far. It's really appreciated. I have only just got home and sorted from work, had a bit of a look under the bonnet, HT leads all in properly, ignition connections are all good too. One thing I did notice is that one clip on the dizzy cap wasn't on properly. I'm wondering if moisture has gotten into the dizzy as I could rock the cap backwards and forwards... might dry out overnight? (I didn't have any WD40 to spray on it). Anyway, the other half wasn't in so I couldn't do the spark plug test, will try tomorrow though. The rotor arm was replaced with the whole new dizzy last year, HT leads not long after so I'm not suspecting them or the points. There are 2 or 3 connectors going to the coil, can I pull these off and check with a multi? I presume one is Pos and one is Neg and the main in the middle is the HT feed to the dizzy? I presume I should be getting 12ish volts in to the coil? I wont bother checking the 30,000 coming out!

Car is a 92 GTII running a carb.

Thanks for all the help,

Andy

[bensspares]

do you have a haynes bible ???? all the coil tests are in the ignition section.also test the resistance across the rotor arm,this is also listed in the bible.

its possible that the if the cap wasnt secured that could be the culprit.wd40 the cap.

start with the spark test,first off i need to know if there is a spark at the plug.

there are no points so you can rule that out !!!

ben

[andyneedham2]

Ace. I do have a haynes 'bible' but its for a mk1 golf, should be the same though. I will have a look at the ignition tests and try to do some tomorrow (not checking the points) . There's a chap lives near with a rocco me so will try and recruit some help! Thanks for all the help. I will keep you updated.

Andy

[bensspares]

he may have the bible for the scirocco lol.

goodluck and keep me posted.

ben

[andyneedham2]

So, I've had a mad week at work, 2 punctures on my bike and really naff trains. Not had a chance to get a spark plug out as I have recently moved flat and my proper tool kit is at my parents. Basically I'm stupid and have the wrong size socket set with me!

I did however have a look under the car in the fading light last night, the dizzy cap had cracked where it's wasn't fastened on properly (black outer casing). Could this the cause of my problems?? I will still try and get the checks done, I'm working today but Sunday is car day!

Andy

[bensspares]

it could be so replace the cap anyway,it maybe as simple as this.
the fault sounds like ignition,its just where the fault lies.

[andyneedham2]

Yeh, I'm going to replace the cap and the coil. Just makes sense with winter on its way, I will still do the checks either way when I get my tools.

I hope it's that simple anyway, I want to drive to work on Monday, I fed up of getting wet on my bike!

[andyneedham2]

Right then, hows this one for strange?

So the car wasn't starting at all for a few days. I noticed a small crack in the outer part of the dizzy cap. Ordered a new coil and dizzy cap. Went to fit them last night and before I could, the car fired up fine.

The only thing I can put it down to is.....

The crack in the dizzy cap let some moisture in, the last two days have been quite mild and dry so have dried it out. I fitted both parts anyway and it went fine this morning. It was spewing a lot of exhaust fumes out last night when it was going, it was dark so i couldnt see if they were black or white. I presume that would just be a bit of crap being burnt off from the past few days trying to start it...?

Anyway, shes a goer!

[sciroccosi]

you have not been putting shell fuelsave petrol in by any chance have you mate?

[andyneedham2]

No I don't believe the lying beggers so wont touch the stuff! Tesco 99ron all the way!

Andy