Car won't start!

[Benny Dub]

yo chaps. Left the Chim standing for a couple of weeks without using it. When I last used it it ran fine, parked it up round the back and left it.

That was no more than 2 weeks ago.

I went to start it yesterday morning and it won't! It turns over just as fast as usual so I don't think it's the battery, it just won't fire! I'm panicking now lol.

Tried some easy start but that did nothing, it fired up for a second or two but then died again.

any suggestions?

cheers
Ben

[lyceus]

I am currently experiencing exactly the same issue... Check you have spark & fuel at the plugs.

My engine has been turning over fine, but there had been no spark at the plugs. Traced back to coil (now replaced), and it started. However, my joy was immediately shattered, as it cut out after 10 seconds, and now refuses to start again.

ARRGGHHHH!! I'm thinking some wire/connection must be loose or broken, hence random cutting out.

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to why the engine would have problems starting (no spark), then fater replacing the coil would work for ten seconds, then cut out and not start again? Fuel side of things is working, sparking is a problem though...

[MADMAX2]

[quote=Benny Dub]yo chaps. Left the Chim standing for a couple of weeks without using it. When I last used it it ran fine, parked it up round the back and left it.





Its because you parked it round the back out of the way!!!!!!!!!

[Benny Dub]

I just want it sorted, it can't be a big problem surely. It was working fine a couple of weeks ago!

really annoyed me tbh, just want it fixed! Already spent £500+ on garage bills since I got it (around 2 months ago).

cheers
Ben

[slideways]

Check for a spark, first check your leads, take a plug out and check,if its clean /wet.
Rich

[peteA]

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to why the engine would have problems starting (no spark), then fater replacing the coil would work for ten seconds, then cut out and not start again? Fuel side of things is working, sparking is a problem though...
[/quote]

Could be any number of things! Check the easy things first which is sounds like you have been...how about...

the engine earth - its down in the drivers side wheelarch and connects to a chassis cross member next to the steering column as it passes through the bulkhead.

or...the dizzy. any number of components...easy ones first...replace the king lead from the coil to the dizzy cap, check each lead, check the cap, etc.

Is your immobiliser/alarm working OK...? Is it cutting in?

If I think of anything else will drop tou a reply - good luck

[Red V8]

Ben, can you hear the fuel pump whirring?

[Mucus]

Had same problem when I had a Chimaera. Turned out to be a non-Lucas rotor arm inside the distributor. Hope this helps.

[bsdnazz]

It could be flooded.

I managed to flood my Chim once and could not work out what the problem was. Everything checked out OK but the engine just would not fire. I kept checking and trying but eventually I called the AA.

The AA man checked things over and then told me to start the car on full throttle. After an age (best part of 2 mins) turning over
the engine on full throttle it coughed, spluttered and fireed up.

I've stalled a few more times first thing in the morning and the same trick has worked every time.

[5yearstobuyatvr]

Check the fitting on the HT lead could be loose.

[nikman]

Absence of any response makes me think we scared him away with talk of king leads from coils, dizzy caps, rotor arms, earth leads and removing plugs to check for a spark or wetness.

See, someone who posts that his chosen first remedy was to spray 'Easy Start' (goodness knows where) is really needing a much more simple solution such as checking whether 'Home Start' is included in his AA/RAC cover.

[grahamw48]

Wish I'd only spent 500 quid during my first 2 months of Wedge ownership.

I'm chipping in because my current Wedge has a Chim 400HC engine, and after being away at the specialist for nearly a month, got me to the nearest petrol station before refusing to start through over-fuelling when hot ...a problem she never had before.
- Now languishing back at the specialist, and I've no chariot for the sunny weather.

Presumably a wiring problem, as the engine/box was removed for a clutch change.

Just to complicate the issue, the Wedge has a cold start injector, while the Chim doesn't. Somehow the previous owner had managed to get the engine to recognise when it was warm and didn't need richening. Sadly it has now forgotten.
ECU is Chim, with correct colour tune thingy (to also realise that it hasn't got cats any more).

Blinkin modern gadgets....