Won't start after winter break

[Rob_W]

So car has been off the road since Christmas for various stuff, floors, cosmetic stuff etc but all pretty much back together yesterday but it won't start.

Battery has been out for a long time but seems in good order and has been on conditioner and fully charged and engine turns fine, the plugs spark (well the one I looked at) and it was damp and sniffed of petrol.

Yesterday it almost caught a few times but tonight after even a better charge not even an attempt.

The only engine related work has been some minor mods to fuel pump/filter layout so hard to see that would be a problem.

Anything simple I could check out?

Any advice/suggestions appreciated

Thanks

Rob

[TuxMan]

I wonder if it's flooded Rob ?? Try cranking it over with the fuel pump fuse out . Tux

[Blu3R]

Simple start - double check you've actually reconnected ALL cables to the battery. Voice of experience here from last year

[Rob_W]

Tux - will give it chance to clear.

Rob - I have been tidying up the battery connections so will have another look there, what did you miss? (seems odd that there was a breath of life yesterday but nothing today tho, so maybe Simon is on the right track?)

Cheers guys

[Blu3R]

I managed to miss an earth when I replaced the battery following last winter's lay up. Can't remember the exact symptoms but ultimately it wouldn't start. I checked the battery area and found the neg cable had dropped down the back of the batter when I'd fitted the new one.
I like Tux's idea though, easy to check too.

[Jim O.]

Lots of cars (including the Nobles that I've examined) are set up so that if you floor the gas pedal and crank over the engine, the injectors will turn off and won't squirt any fuel into the cylinders. Makes it easy to start if you've accidentally flooded the engine - just press the gas pedal all the way down, then crank over the car. Just be ready to let off the gas if the car starts...

[Rob_W]

Well my diagnosis was wrong but I still have a problem!

Looked again at a plug and it was nice and dry but wouldn't start, tried again, even after much turning still very dry so suspected lack of fuel was an issue not flooding. Pump buzzing away as normal throughout all this.

So disconnected the fuel rail and nothing coming out, checked fuel supply to pump by loosening filter to pump connection, plenty there, output from pump virtually nothing! swapped for another pump I had (which also buzzed happily), still nothing,tried removing the pump output fitting which I believe has some kind of pressure release valve...nothing. Blew through the fuel pipe and no blockage there. So have I miraculously got two simultaneous pumps which were both working before or have I misunderstood something? The only change I have made to this area over the winter was to replace the braided flexible between the filter and pump with solid AN type connections.

I'm a bit baffled............

[Blu3R]

Rob_W said:

...checked fuel supply to pump by loosening filter to pump connection, plenty there, output from pump virtually nothing!

Certain there's plenty there? The filter fits perfectly in the housing, upside down, so it completely blocks the flow. I guess you know this for certain as you say you've swapped the pump and it's also running.
Excuse this - there is still petrol in the tank, right?

Rob_W said:

...The only change I have made to this area over the winter was to replace the braided flexible between the filter and pump with solid AN type connections.

It sounds like you've created an obstruction somewhere, possibly with a seal on the new fittings, so I'd start half way between tank and rail and crack off one connection at a time to find where you suddenly don't have any fuel. I can't stress strongly enough to disconnect the battery first though!!

[Rob_W]

Thanks Rob

Tank shows 1/8th on the gauge and I reckon I put about 5 gallons in so should be plenty to start up. Fuel definitely gets as far as the pump and flowing freely. The new inlet adaptor for the pump is quite small in diameter so have drilled out as far as I dare but once again I am sure this would have been enough to get things going. Thinking about it now maybe the adaptor is too long and is butting up to the inner parts of the pump. Will check again tomorrow.

Anybody else got any thoughts?

[TuxMan]

Hi Rob , it's not wired wrong and pumping backwards ? Sorry Nate cannot think of anything else . Tux

[Rob_W]

TuxMan said:

Hi Rob , it's not wired wrong and pumping backwards ? Sorry Nate cannot think of anything else . Tux

Hi Tux

Polarity is OK, don't think it would pump backwards anyway but for a fleeting moment I did think have I fitted it back to front! That's because it physically faces front now with new layout.

[Rob_W]

Rob_W said:

TuxMan said:

Hi Rob , it's not wired wrong and pumping backwards ? Sorry Nate cannot think of anything else . Tux

Hi Tux

Polarity is OK, don't think it would pump backwards anyway but for a fleeting moment I did think have I fitted it back to front! That's because it physically faces front now with new layout.

Mmmmmmmmm not sure now, I've always (I think) connected according to this info. from a Bosch spec.

Fuel Pump Connections:
Inlet: M14 x 1.5
Outlet: M12 x 1.5
Electrical: Positive M5 / Negative M4

But looking at the pump body it seems to be marked as the smaller terminal post being positive..





Edit ; Yes that was it, I feel such a tt!

Edited by Rob_W on Wednesday 25th April 20:20

[TuxMan]

......... We have all done it Tux

[Blu3R]

Yes we have but I can't miss the opportunity to use a:

What a donut!!

[joust]

Rob, to be honest it's somewhat logical for the positive to be the fatter to me. Just smile and bask in the knowledge that you are an expert trouble shooter.

[Rob_W]

if a little on the slow side...

Just need to find out why battery dash light stays on even though alternator and battery seem fine (13v off, 14v running)............

An old thread suggests wiring from alt to dash fault can cause it and as have fitted sumo facia with new lamps this is the suspect, ho hum..........

[Hollowpockets]

Err, can't say I've ever put the positive/negative on the wrong way... Lol glad you got it sorted.