Discussion
Hoping someone out there can help - my S1 has been struggling to start lately. First of all I thought it was the cold as it was only happening in the mornings when it wasn't garaged, however last night I needed to bump it and now it dosen't want to start again.
The engine is turning but not catching. What things should I be checking?
Thx
The engine is turning but not catching. What things should I be checking?
Thx
The easiest and cheapest things to check are the plugs and HT leads. Are they all nice and dry and fitted properly, with good metal-to-metal contact?
Maybe remove and clean the plugs as all your excessive cranking could have fouled them. Give them a clean and check the gaps - especially the gaps, as these can give headaches as they plugs age, not least if they were not set correctly when fitted.
If you have a multimeter, you can check the HT leads and caps are working properly, too. An internal breakdown can cause all manners of misfires and woes.
Air filter clean and serviced? They are cheap to replace, yet often overlooked. A blocked one will richen the mixture and help foul the plugs.
Maybe remove and clean the plugs as all your excessive cranking could have fouled them. Give them a clean and check the gaps - especially the gaps, as these can give headaches as they plugs age, not least if they were not set correctly when fitted.
If you have a multimeter, you can check the HT leads and caps are working properly, too. An internal breakdown can cause all manners of misfires and woes.
Air filter clean and serviced? They are cheap to replace, yet often overlooked. A blocked one will richen the mixture and help foul the plugs.
Thanks for that,
I thought I had tracked the problem down with the help of the RAC, they thought it was the relay for the fule pump. He had a fiddle with it and it started again. However same problem this morning, so I had a fiddle around where the relay is and it started.
However I dont want to be doing this every time i start the car. Its definately something to do with the fuel pump as I dont hear it whirring when i turn the ignition on. Can I just get a new relay or could it be the pump itself??
I thought I had tracked the problem down with the help of the RAC, they thought it was the relay for the fule pump. He had a fiddle with it and it started again. However same problem this morning, so I had a fiddle around where the relay is and it started.
However I dont want to be doing this every time i start the car. Its definately something to do with the fuel pump as I dont hear it whirring when i turn the ignition on. Can I just get a new relay or could it be the pump itself??
Sounds like you have tracked it down as far as the circuit that powers the fuel pump. Finding out exactly where the problem is will require some grovelling around with a multimeter, or trial and error. As a starting point I suggest you try to find whether you can make the problem come and go by fiddling with any particular bits of the loom, check for any damaged wires, pull the relays out and make sure the terminals are all tight and not showing any signs of corrosion or heat damage.
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page...
Happened to mine too. £30 squids solves your problem. No tools needed - unclip one, clip on the new one. Link attached.
Cheers
Bill K
Happened to mine too. £30 squids solves your problem. No tools needed - unclip one, clip on the new one. Link attached.
Cheers
Bill K
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