Chim - not starting

[pmanson]

Hi All,

Drove my car on Tuesday, got it home and went to re-start it to pop out and it wouldn't catch (a couple of times it got going but didn't sound right and wouldn't rev then it just stalled - as if it was using the fuel that was in the lines and that was it)... starter motor is turning but the engine is turning over.

I can't hear the fuel pump priming so i've just changed both of the relays but to no avail.

I'm guessing next steps are to check the connections on the fuel pump and clean them up, however I have had a few issues with the immobiser recently where it doesn't seem to want to switch off (i have to use the Meta key fob to switch off the alarm as the toad keyfob only operates the central locking / alarm).

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Phill

[wuckfitracing]

Sounds like immobilser. I have a cobra alarm fitted and sometimes you have to press it 4 times. It will on the odd occasion start them run out of fuel. Switch it off press it twice and it starts fine.

[Quietlybonkers]

If you have a multimeter, check that the alternator is charging the battery. I'm no mechanic, but if the car is starting and then dying, it could be any of a number of things, but my car behaved similarly when the 100 amp fuse broke on a journey to Milton Keynes. Car obviously doesn't like roundabouts or concrete cows.
It ran on the battery for about 45 miles and then died when the battery ran out. Shortly before that it wouldn't start, the alarm went bananas, so i got it bump started, but then felt like it was going to stall at every junction, and then wouldn't rev, and then died completely.
The fuse is strapped to the underside of the chassis, driver's side of the main chassis, about next to where the rear arm of the front offside wishbone meets the chassis. You will need to get under the car to check it. Its a flat blade fuse and looks like this if broken.

[Quietlybonkers]

PS, it's about one inch long!! Photo is enlarged.

[Bassfiend]

Quietlybonkers said:

PS, it's about one inch long!! Photo is enlarged.

That's very brave of you to say but it's a little bigger than that...

Phil

[pmanson]

Bassfiend said:

Quietlybonkers said:

PS, it's about one inch long!! Photo is enlarged.

That's very brave of you to say but it's a little bigger than that...

Phil

I'll check that tomorrow I have a few spares...

[pmanson]

Btw despite my many attempts to start the car the battery seems to be fully charged as I got a green light on my trickle charger when I tried it the over day...

[peaktorque]

Have you tried running a 12v feed directly to the pump? If this works then it will give you more of an idea where to look.

Also make sure that your ECU is properly plugged in.

[gbbird]

Any luck mate? I was going to see if you fancied a spin out today

[Stevie Mojo]

pmanson said:

i've just changed both of the relays but to no avail.

What relays have you fitted? Only the correct Bosch ones will work.

[Oggs]

Stevie Mojo said:

pmanson said:

i've just changed both of the relays but to no avail.

What relays have you fitted? Only the correct Bosch ones will work.

Some plum gave him 2 knackered relays

[Simon says]

Stevie Mojo said:

pmanson said:

i've just changed both of the relays but to no avail.

What relays have you fitted? Only the correct Bosch ones will work.

Not so, as long as they are fitted with the snubber diode any manufacturers relay to the same amp rating will work

[pmanson]

Two new relays in order.... will be with me tomorrow so i'll see how it goes (Fingers crossed).

Oggs - Do you want your knackered ones back? Or should I bin them?

[Oggs]

Bin them Phil but keep the boxes as I will put the right relays in them.
Let us know how you get on.

[Robatr0n]

Any luck yet, buddy?

[pmanson]

Robatr0n said:

Any luck yet, buddy?

Just been and picked up the relays so i'll give them a go tonight - fingers crossed.

[Stevie Mojo]

Simon says said:

Stevie Mojo said:

pmanson said:

i've just changed both of the relays but to no avail.

What relays have you fitted? Only the correct Bosch ones will work.

Not so, as long as they are fitted with the snubber diode any manufacturers relay to the same amp rating will work

I have no idea what that means, though as you're a garage owner/mechanic I'll take your word for it

[pmanson]

New relays in and she fired up first time! Strangely although they are the same part number these are brown not silver

[Quietlybonkers]

pmanson said:

New relays in and she fired up first time! Strangely although they are the same part number these are brown not silver

That's to match the colour of your trousers when you take her out full of excitement in the rain.......nearly spun mine on a roundabout at 20mph in the rain on Sunday afternoon

[Nosh]

pmanson said:

New relays in and she fired up first time! Strangely although they are the same part number these are brown not silver

Nice Phil!

Good that the beast is alive again!