Non Starter

[kingjon]

Hi guys,

So, before i go and spend hundreds fixing my broken down s1 elise, i thought i'd ask if anyone has ever had the same problem as me.

My elise wont start.... (try not to laugh!)

i use it daily, the battery is fine, i can bump start it no problem but when i turn the key, i get nothing! has anyone had any problems with ignition electrics before? how reliable are the factory immobilisers? somebody suggested i may have an earth problem.

please help!

jon

[theweeninjaguy]

th efactory immobiliser is apparently a bit dodgy but if this were the case you wouldn't be able to bump start it either - i don't think.

sounds like an earth problem or a lose connection at the ignition switch to me. if you can get an ameter test eh ignition circuit with the key out then turn it so the car shoudl start and try again - you should get a circuit - if you don't there's a lose conneciton or broken wire.

ninja

[steff]

Checked all the fuses are ok?

does the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition on?



>> Edited by steff on Monday 1st August 14:00

[kingjon]

Yea the fuel pump primes and all the fuses were ok. I had the AA out to look at it and they thought it was a problem with the wiring somewhere. the earth connection to the chassis seems pretty solid. is it worth undoing it, cleaning and replacing?

[theweeninjaguy]

nah not worth undoing it - you'll have more than one tho so you'll have to check them all. my money would be on a lose/broken wire tbh. you'll have to spend an afternoon going around it with an ameter (sp) checking all the wires and connections. it'll be something really trivial. the engine will have rattled about and just broken a little solder joint.

will cost pennies to fix but will take hours to locate.

ninja

[Mr_C]

is it a sticking starter motor?

Paul

[rfoster]

Yup, sticky starter motor. Pop it in fourth gear with the handbrake off, and push the car back & forth a few times. Then try it as normal. Min suffers from this occasionally. Give it a go & let us know how you get on.