Newby with a stating problem

[mikethebike1127]

Hi there peeps. Bought my first Cerb (a '96 4.2) at the end of December. Drove it home on the 29th in all that snow from Durham to the other side of Aberdeen (310 miles)without a problem. Went to start it again a couple of days later, think I flooded it but eventually it started with help from my Jeep battery. Started it a couple of times over the next 10hrs with no problems. Left it another few days (trickle charger on & battery at full charge)and tried again - no go and it aint started since. Threw in a new set of plugs (nightnare of a job!!) for good measure, however, on checking, I have found there is no spark. I would apprciate any advice on where to start looking for the fault. Many thanks. Mike

Edited by mikethebike1127 on Saturday 16th January 18:13

Edited by mikethebike1127 on Saturday 16th January 18:18

Edited by mikethebike1127 on Saturday 16th January 19:56

[Scrooloose]

Firstly check the "big fuse" - it's the 100amp fuse mounted on the back of the engine.

Secondly try a new battery.

If it's not that it could be the coil packs, HT leads, fuel pump, immobilizer or crank sensor.

If you've got a laptop with a serial port, download the diagnostic software, plug it in and see that gives....

I'm sure others will be along with more suggestions shortly.

[mikethebike1127]

Thanks for the reply. New battery fitted. Defo an ignition problem & not a fuel problem (fuel pump is kicking in & the exhausts reek of petrol after cranking). Engine is tuning over fine but wont even offer to fire. Would it still turn over if the 100amp fuse was blown?? Where can I download the software & where do I plug the laptop in?? Sorry to sound daft, but I'm used to working with good old point, condencers & distributers etc!!!

Dont think there is a problem with the coil packs or the HT leads as I cant see them all packing in at the same time (2 coils & 8 leads). Are the crank sensors prone to failure??
Thanks again. Mike

Edited by mikethebike1127 on Saturday 16th January 18:51

[Scrooloose]

I can't remember if the starter will still work with the fuse blown. I think it's possible.

The lap top plugs into the ECU, which can be found in the passenger footwell. I think you need to take the cover off the ECU to access the port. My Cerbera has an Emerald ECU, which is different, so I can't be 100% sure.

I've been looking for the software, but can only find a couple of old links to it, you may have to get someone else to email it to you....

I don't think crank sensors are prone to failing, but it could explain why you're not getting a spark. The ECU simply wouldn't know when to fire....

There's a slim possibility that it could be a throttle pot issue, the software will enable you to check that.

[Tanguero]

The 100A fuse is only in the charging circuit as far as I remember. The engine should start without it.

The software is available from my site http://www.tvr-cerbera.co.uk/software.html

Off the top of my head it sounds like an immobiliser problem to me. Is the buzzer sounding when the ignition is on?

[mikethebike1127]

Thanks for the reply. No buzzer and the immobilizer is operating correctly as it should with regards to using the remote, the press key & flashing LED's etc and as I said, the motor is cranking over as it should do. Thanks for the link - which version should I use for my car?
Thanks agin. Mike

Edited by mikethebike1127 on Sunday 17th January 02:05

[Gazzab]

Hi.Is the 'silver key' ok?
Doubt software will help unless engine running?
I'd check coil packs first.

[ridds]

yep coil packs or part of the ignition circuit.

I would think it's unlikely to be the crank sensor if you have fuel being injected.

[Tanguero]

mikethebike1127 said:

Thanks for the reply. No buzzer and the immobilizer is operating correctly as it should with regards to using the remote, the press key & flashing LED's etc and as I said, the motor is cranking over as it should do. Thanks for the link - which version should I use for my car?
Thanks agin. Mike

Either version is fine. The help files with the later version are slightly better.

When the ignition is on the buzzer should be sounding continuously. It goes off when the engine starts. If it is not sounding then I suspect that the immobiliser is not switching the ignition/ECU on correctly.

Try investigating the silver key. If a wire has come off that it will certainly inhibit ignition, though I don't know if it will stop the starter circuit as well.

Edited by Tanguero on Sunday 17th January 12:16

[Gazzab]

Have you had a look at the ECU ? It could be that that is wet ? Take it out and ensure it is dry. (It is in the passenger footwell).
Have you spoken with the prev owner? You bought this recently for under 7K? The prev owner spent some time and money sorting niggles, including throttle pots and battery, so I guess he may have had some running issues?

Edited by Gazzab on Sunday 17th January 11:28

[JensenA]

How far from Turriff are you Mike - I could come and have a look.

[mikethebike1127]

Gazzab said:

Have you had a look at the ECU ? It could be that that is wet ? Take it out and ensure it is dry. (It is in the passenger footwell).
Have you spoken with the prev owner? You bought this recently for under 7K? The prev owner spent some time and money sorting niggles, including throttle pots and battery, so I guess he may have had some running issues?

Edited by Gazzab on Sunday 17th January 11:28

Cheers for the reply Gaz. Didn't by the car from that owner, someone got there before me & I bought it off him (for a good bit more than 7K!!) Like your suggestion about the wet ECU....this would figure with the car running fine for 310 miles (in the wet), and being put away in the garage (wet) and its still in the same state as I was snowed in!!! Thanks again for the reply. Mike

[mikethebike1127]

JensenA said:

How far from Turriff are you Mike - I could come and have a look.

Cheers A. You have mail. Mike

[stuthemong]

mike,

I also have a 96 4.2 When it was running (;)) it would NOT buzz on ignition/immobiliser. It also doesn't buzz on indicator either. So just because it doesn't buzz, doesn't necessarily mean it shouldn't start.

Sounds to me like you need to get a laptop on there to work out what is going on

[Gazzab]

mikethebike1127 said:

Gazzab said:

Have you had a look at the ECU ? It could be that that is wet ? Take it out and ensure it is dry. (It is in the passenger footwell).
Have you spoken with the prev owner? You bought this recently for under 7K? The prev owner spent some time and money sorting niggles, including throttle pots and battery, so I guess he may have had some running issues?

Edited by Gazzab on Sunday 17th January 11:28

Cheers for the reply Gaz. Didn't by the car from that owner, someone got there before me & I bought it off him (for a good bit more than 7K!!) Like your suggestion about the wet ECU....this would figure with the car running fine for 310 miles (in the wet), and being put away in the garage (wet) and its still in the same state as I was snowed in!!! Thanks again for the reply. Mike

the previous owners mobile number is still in the ads section - drop him a line maybe?

[Tanguero]

stuthemong said:

mike,

I also have a 96 4.2 When it was running (;)) it would NOT buzz on ignition/immobiliser. It also doesn't buzz on indicator either. So just because it doesn't buzz, doesn't necessarily mean it shouldn't start.

Sounds to me like you need to get a laptop on there to work out what is going on

It may indeed be a faulty buzzer, but they are meant to buzz when the ignition is on before the engine is started. No spark, no buzz, no start, no coincidence... The diagnostic software may give you a logged fault but isn't necessarily going to be a whole lot of help otherwise. If the lack of buzz does indicate that the ECU isn't powering up correctly you many not be able to get the software to connect.

Edited by Tanguero on Sunday 17th January 22:54

[mikethebike1127]

Thanks for that. Buzzer has never sounded with the ignition or the indicators even when the car was starting. Can only assume it's been turned down or it's knackered. Cheers. Mike

[mikethebike1127]

Thanks for that. Buzzer has never sounded with the ignition or the indicators even when the car was starting. Can only assume it's been turned down or it's knackered. Cheers. Mike

[stuthemong]

Tanguero,

Agreed - but if he is unable to connect to the ecu via laptop it's useful info too - strongly suggesting ecu shennanigans as you say

Stu

[al 350i]

just remembered this thread http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

sound like similar problem, turns out it was just the wiring to the crank sensor.