wont start - tried usual

[chimune]

Chim has just had his leather redone and has been in a workshop for 10 days. No major interior removal, just the center cover and some seats / carpet. The guy has loads of experience with tvrs, so i dont think its anything he has disturbed.

He put it on trickle charge last night ( directly on to battery, not through cig lighter, so something in the battery box could have been disturbed ), as a matter of habit ( the battery is fine normally after 2 weeks ). It turns over with gusto, but no start today. I havnt been to it yet.

Engine turns over and fires a bit every 6 cycles or so. Fuel pump primes ok. Central locking is ok.

I have:
Filled up with extra fuel,
checked leads, dizzy cap are all seated ok and dry.
locked and unlocked many times.
used keyfob to disable imob rather than remote
swapped silver relays around.
removed both silver relays and turned over several times ( was trying to flush fuel out if flooded - this made the most difference. sounded as if it was going to catch but didnt )
unplugged and rest ecu
i can smell fuel out of one exhaust, but not the other ( not definate )
removed and cleaned stepper motor - which looked fine.

So, thats all the basics.

Any ideas or know a mobile mechanic around Edinburgh area ?

[chassis 33]

Have you definately got a spark? You say you've checked for a dislodged lead and dizzy cap but do you actually have a spark? While you were around that area did you upset the two rectangular resistor packs coming off the -ve of the coil, one goes to the rev counter one to pin39 of the ECU and tells the ECU the engine is spinning and needs fuel. Does the rev counter flicker as the engine is turned over? If not the chances are you wont be getting a spark.

If you suspect flooding, give the engine a long while to dry off, even with cranking with no fuel the plugs can take a long time to un-foul.

Regards
Iain

[chimune]

Hi chassis 33, i didnt have a plug spanner ( or a spare plug ) so didnt do the spark check. I did have good look at the rectangular things next to the coilpack but, eveything looked sound.

Interesting about the rev counter. Cant say i noticed, but i dont think there was any needle movement. Will be going back there later tonight so will check.

Assuming there is no spark, is the coilpack the 1st thing to suspect ?

I havnt checked the fuses yet. Do you know which ones in particular may be worth checking ? ( wish i had my bible with me ! )

[chassis 33]

I'd blame the ignition amplifier before the coil. Easy way to check the coil is working 'ok' turn the ignition on, get an able bodied and willing victim to hold the main coil lead near the engine to check for a spark, with a spare bit of wire, earth the negative side of the coil. If your once able bodied victim now is cursing you for giving them an electric shock or you see a spark, then the coil is 'ok', it may be on its last legs but atleast it give some spark.

The ignition amplifier either works or doesn't, but make sure the aluminium plate its on is earthed first.

Just an aside if you hold a plug lead with its extention cap to and earth you can usuallly see a spark if there is one.
No ideas about the fuses sorry, the racer doesnt use the original loom.
Regards
Iain

[spend]

chassis 33 said:

I'd blame the ignition amplifier before the coil.

My thoughts exactly, nearly posted it - just figured better to check plug before opening that COW's.

Dave

[chimune]

Just to tidy up this thread for future searches. No-body touched the car for 3 days while i tried to source a mechanic. Then it started fine. Put it down to flooded engine.
Cheers for you help ( i learnt new things - like mine has the factory EL220 black coil which is indeed leaking and should be replaced asap ).

Cheers !

[Cider Andy]

Tread carefully if you're after a new Bosch PRC6574 coil. It seems the design may have changed to something that looks nothing like the original, but all the part numbers and barcode match exactly.