Mk 2.5 non-starter this morning
Discussion
Hi,
I'm not very handy with the spanners so could do with a little advice on how to diagnose my 5 which wouldn't start this morning. It's been sat out since friday in the cold weather/snow. Battery sounds good and engine turns over without any trouble but just won't bite. Shows the occasional flicker of interest every few turns but never fires. As i say, useless with the spanners so please assume (probably correctly) that I'm an idiot!
Cheers.
I'm not very handy with the spanners so could do with a little advice on how to diagnose my 5 which wouldn't start this morning. It's been sat out since friday in the cold weather/snow. Battery sounds good and engine turns over without any trouble but just won't bite. Shows the occasional flicker of interest every few turns but never fires. As i say, useless with the spanners so please assume (probably correctly) that I'm an idiot!
Cheers.
stuarte said:
Hi,
I'm not very handy with the spanners so could do with a little advice on how to diagnose my 5 which wouldn't start this morning. It's been sat out since friday in the cold weather/snow. Battery sounds good and engine turns over without any trouble but just won't bite. Shows the occasional flicker of interest every few turns but never fires. As i say, useless with the spanners so please assume (probably correctly) that I'm an idiot!
Cheers.
Try jump starting it. Probably just not enough power after the cold snap.I'm not very handy with the spanners so could do with a little advice on how to diagnose my 5 which wouldn't start this morning. It's been sat out since friday in the cold weather/snow. Battery sounds good and engine turns over without any trouble but just won't bite. Shows the occasional flicker of interest every few turns but never fires. As i say, useless with the spanners so please assume (probably correctly) that I'm an idiot!
Cheers.
Other than that it could be anything without further information/diagnosis.
After youve done what Richard suggests, you need to establish whether its a fuel or ignition problem. A good/easy way for someone who isnt mechanically minded would be to buy a set of Laser Tools plug lights.
They cost about £12 from Halfords and you place one between the lead and plug on each cylinder. If they light up when you crank the engine then its probably a fuel problem and if they dont, then its an ignition problem. That should be half of the battle and at the very least itll get you pointed in the right direction, for a relatively small outlay.
They cost about £12 from Halfords and you place one between the lead and plug on each cylinder. If they light up when you crank the engine then its probably a fuel problem and if they dont, then its an ignition problem. That should be half of the battle and at the very least itll get you pointed in the right direction, for a relatively small outlay.
Thanks guys, went back to it yesterday and it started after a few turns but was misfiring. Basically started on what sounded like one cylinder and then gradually the others kicked in over the next 30 seconds or so. There was a weird smell (not really oily or fuel)coming through the heater vents for a couple of minutes and then that cleared. Took it for a drive for half an hour or so and all seemed well - temperature fine, no smoke, no unusual noises etc. Started OK this morning too but I'm still a bit concerned as to what might have caused it.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Do you know how old the plug leads are? They are a likely cause. Could also be coil pack but leads are quicker/easier/cheaper to replace.
No, they predate my ownership (about 18 months). I wouldn't be surpised if they were original. I'll try a new set of leads (I think even I can give that a go) and see how that goes.Thanks for the advice.
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