Cold start problems....(not immobilser)

[Nosh]

I suspect I already know the answer to this, but I will ask anyways....

Couldn't start the car earlier - the car is outside, covered over and some horrible cat has made little holes in the cover. As a result, some parts of the car were wet (and damp) when I took the cover off.

Tried to start the car - it was turning but not catching.

This happened previously; and it was damp then. It started once the weather was a little milder and dry.

If it is a damp thing, what is the likley suspect that is damp, that is causing the problem?

And any possible ways of sorting?

Thanks in advance
Nosh

PS - lovely to get the car back on the road and all the electrics are sorted

[Nosh]

arrgh!!

Still not starting - turning over fine and not catching - now I am worried I will flatten the battery (again!)

What should I be looking for....

I suspect damp, but have no idea where to look first

HELP!!

Nosh

[dogbucket]

Inside dizzy cap, HT leads?

[Tyre Tread]

dogbucket said:

Inside dizzy cap, HT leads?

Clean out the cap with a dry cloth and make sure the rotor arm is clean and dry. Make sure the HT leads are dry and especially the king lead.

[Nosh]

ok, ta will do.

Nosh

[Nosh]

Taken off dizzy cap - looked dry.

Had fun putting the leads back (bible very useful)

Still won't start BUT it caught a few times (making that 'almost' noise)....

Any other ideas?

Nosh

[Tyre Tread]

whizz a plug out and check that fuel is getting through (pump priming?) If you turn it over just befre removing the plug it should smell strongly of fuel on the plug.

Earth the plug to the engine and get someone to turn it over just a quick flick of the key and see if you've got a strong spark. DO NOT HOLD THE PLUG OR LEAD WHILE DOING THIS UNLESS YOU LIKE HIGH JUMPING WITHOUT A RUN UP AND WOULD LIKE YOUR HEART TO STOP.

[dog man]

You need to check for fuel and spark. If you find no fuel/spark it might well be the immobiliser as it's rare for both things to just disappear.

I had a similar problem but fuel was working...

It was an old E28 BMW 535i that I had in storage years ago and I used to visit it regularly to start it and drive it around a bit then one day (after it had spent a week or two outside instead of in a barn) it just wouldn't start. I had a buyer with a trailer on his way and it totally stumped me, it was like it had simply died! Anyway he still took it without getting it started and he kept me updated on all of his efforts. In a last resort move a new cap and rotor sorted the problem and it fired straight away!

[Nosh]

Petrol no problem - you can smell it once you have tried to turn it over. I was careful NOT to flood the engine.

I had this a few weeks ago when it was damp....

I haven't check the leads at the plug end yet - will do that now.

Cheers

Nosh

[wongthecorrupter]

ecu temp sender maybe ,pull the connector off the try and start it.

[Nosh]

So - just tried to start the car this morning - turned key and the engine sprung into life, no prob...

Now I am confused.....

Nosh

[Tyre Tread]

check connections to the starter motor and that the 100A fuse is clean and not corroded.