S1 won't start

[enjybenjy]

Missus' S1 turns over but doesn't start. it's been sat for 10 days, plus it's pissed it down solidly for 3 days. Wondering if the electrics are soaked. What should I do. Ended up doing a 50 mile round trip to drop her at work in this awful weather GRRRR

[rfoster]

Had that in my previous S1 when it had been raining solidly. First make sure there's fuel in the car (I got caught out once here.)

After this, when it's dry enough, take off the distributor cap and dry out the inside, a generous spray of WD40 will help here.

Hope this helps!

[GTRene]

mayby moistre under the distributer cap??? check that and dry it out with toiletpaper or/and a dryer?? and when its a older cap check also the contact points for wear or corrosion/oxidation? and clean that or scrap them clean...
Hope it helps.
GTRene

[enjybenjy]

Thanks guys. She normally uses it everyday, but has been away for 10 days. I think these cars like regular use to stay out of trouble. Seems like the S1 is much more exposed to rain on the engine!

[tuscan_thunder]

As above, WD40 under distributor cap and also take out the plugs and clean them and put a skoosh of WD under the plug leads.

[red_lotus]

My S1 had something similar it is an early car (1997) and it happened after I left it out in the rain, turned out to be a fuse in the fuel circuit, which I was told was under rated on earlier cars. Fuse 78p: labour: £40.73, yeah that was agreat day

[S Works]

Don't fret mate, they all do this. I personally think they do it to remind you that they need to be used and given a damn good ragging at least once a week

[enjybenjy]

Trying not to fret! She's buggered off to work away for a couple of days; if I don't fix it then it means I have to hand her the keys to mine whilst I'm working abroad. The last time I did that I had an Elan Turbo and she reversed it into a traffic warden (yes that's correct). She was a big fatty bird though so no damage to her, but my rear bumper was ed.

the traffic warden was fat, just in case you're reading this sarah - didn't mean you!

>> Edited by enjybenjy on Monday 27th March 11:59

[GTRene]

S Works said:

Don't fret mate, they all do this. I personally think they do it to remind you that they need to be used and given a damn good ragging at least once a week

Another one on the list from "they al do that sir..."
There should be a thread with about "they all do that sir" so Exige and Elise owners could check that list so they can sleep at night instead of making worries
GTRene

>> Edited by GTRene on Monday 27th March 12:02

[S Works]

Also give the battery a good charge. Is it turning over OK?

[enjybenjy]

It was turning over, but I think it needs a good recharge now as we flattened it! It did smell of fule, so I think it's fuelling but not sparking. I'll give the dizzy a good dry out tonight. Thanks all
PS any way of preventing this - guy I bought it off put a door mat over the mesh - think my missus would forget to take it off though and drive up the A3 with burning rubber pouring out of the back...

[rfoster]

enjybenjy said:

It was turning over, but I think it needs a good recharge now as we flattened it! It did smell of fule, so I think it's fuelling but not sparking. I'll give the dizzy a good dry out tonight. Thanks all PS any way of preventing this - guy I bought it off put a door mat over the mesh - think my missus would forget to take it off though and drive up the A3 with burning rubber pouring out of the back...

I seem to recall that garydvo left a rubber mat over the vents recently and melted it all over the engine! Not a great you can do about it other than putting a car cover over when you'r not driving it I guess!

[enjybenjy]

[andy g bmth]

I'll put money on it being a corroded cap & rotor arm - i use mine every day and last september drove it home after playing football in the pi$$ing rain, got up next morning & it wouldn't start. £180 later for home recovery to Westover and all was fine.

[NJS25]

Check the switchws under the capture panels at the front and the boot lid. These microswitches are part of the alarm system to detect unauthorised access. I noticed the rubber covers had come away from the swith and there was water ingress, this will drain the battery.

I had repeated problems during heavy rain in my S2, each time an AA man charged the battery and it was fine until the next downpour. When the weather eventually dried up I glued the rubber covers down on the front capture panels and have never had a problem since.

If you have an alarm try leaving it unarmed during heavy rain (in a safe place of course), if its not armed it won't drain the battery and the car should start.

My tip for car maintenance always check the cheapest, simplest solutions before taking it to a dealer. They never seem to find this type of problem!

Regards, Neil