Griff 500 not starting

[RWA441]

Afternoon,

I'm after some suggestions for tomorrow morning to try when I've got some free time to try and get my Griff started.
The car has just been fully serviced and a lot of other work carried out in March and it was running like a dream.
It was stood for about 10 days whilst I was away then started fine on my return - no problems.
It has then been stood for probably another 15 days or so and I went to use it for work yesterday with the sun being out and guess what!! It wouldn't start

Symptoms are as follows -
Car is always on an accumate so battery fine.
Car unlocks from fob.
Key in ignition, ignition on, fuel pump makes the usual whirl.
Turn key to start and starter spins trying to fire engine but it just doesn't seem to 'catch'

There is the odd momentary puff where it sounds like it's threatening to fire but just won't.
Tried it again today and no joy - same issue. Seems like a fuel problem to me (tank is just below full)

So, to all you clever ones out there any suggestions? (I've got a bible so can easily work my way through anything you may suggest)

Any help very much appreciated.

[Colin RedGriff]

I would check all the HT leads are pushed on fully and also the coil connections. Something may have come loose.

[griffdude]

^^ What he said, plus check the rotor arm & condition of the dizzy cap.

[Loubaruch]

If you invest in these:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

You can check to see if a decent spark is arriving at each plug, well worth keeping in the tool box in any case.

a dim or no neon lit will point to a faulty lead etc. If 8 good sparks you know the ignition side is then OK and ypu can then move onto the fuelling.

[angry jock]

Maybe sounds a wee bit daft but have you been starting your Griff without
Letting it warm up before shutting it off. Had a similar issue with fouled plugs. Replaced all 8 and started ok after that.

[RWA441]

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps!! Off out to the garage now to try and sort it out, will update once it's going (hopefully)

[EGB]

Hello
Pleased to know if you managed to start. What was the problem?
Thanks..........Eddie

[RWA441]

Hi Eddie,
I've been struggling for time this last week but to update, I've put a brand new coil on but still the same problem, need to spend some time on it this weekend. Got someone coming to give me a hand too which will be good!!

[sumoone]

i have a 94 griff 500 and had same problem some while ago...turned out to be the dizzy amp,i found one on ebay and paid approx 25 pounds and hey presto

your problem may not involve the amp but if all other electrical units are ok you may want to replace this item as i believe as a sealed unit you cannot test it

good luck

mark

[EGB]

Hello Mark
Your Dizzy Amp. Can you let us know the Lucas Part Number if possible. If it is a Lucas?
Thanks............Eddie Griff 500

[sumoone]

i will look for the exact model number but found this link on ebay


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Range-Rover-Classic-93-Dizzy...


HTH

Mark

[EGB]

See picture of my Amp, still ok. Its 0199.

[kerry11]

I had the same problem a few weeks back and i posted on here, was advised to clean the stepper motor a simple job that took all of 5 mins and worked a treat.

[RWA441]

Still no joy with getting it started
I've put a new coil on her, I bought the ignition amplifier posted above which didn't do the trick like I'd hoped for (so if anyone else was after it then I can forward it to them, also a used coil available now!)
Any more suggestions? Even though the fuel pump is whirling when the ignition on is there a relay that may not be working? Could it even be the 100A fuse?
Getting annoying now with al this nice weather!!

[DarkMatter]

I appreciate that you have now renewed a number of ignition components but it's not clear to me whether you have actually checked to see whether you are getting a spark to any of the spark plugs?

[RWA441]

Sorry,
Yes there is but I'm no expert and I'm not sure it's a 'good' spark or not. Hopefully got a fellow Griff owner popping up at the weekend with a set of the neon things to check the spark.

[rigga]

Have you removed the plugs to see if they are wet or not? or just fitted a new plug to a lead to check for spark .... these flood very easily due to the overfuelling tendancys the tvr map has on start up.

Just an odd thing that i throw in on a regular basis ..... fuel tank venting ok ?

[DarkMatter]

rigga said:

Have you removed the plugs to see if they are wet or not?

That was my next question too.

You haven't removed/replaced the HT leads in the distributor cap since it last started OK have you?

[RWA441]

Sorry for the slow update but I've been trying out all the different suggestions posted here.
Yesterday I was given a hand by a fellow Griff owner from nearby who was kind enough to spend a few hours helping me out so a big thank you to Dave

We went through the basics as most of you have suggested and did the following -
Removed all plugs and cleaned/checked them out, found one with the 'nipple' thing missing off it so hoped we'd solved it but no!

Checked for a spark which was fine, used in line neons and checked by eye sight.
Checked the spark at the king lead from dizzy which was fine
Checked dizzy/rotor arm which appear to be fine
Swapped the 2 relays in the footwell (2 metal ones, one for fuel pump) seem to be operating.
Put everything back in and it sounded like it was going to fire but didn't
Removed plugs again and found they were soaked with fuel so seems to be getting fuel OK

So what next? Well I'm going to remove the plugs again and clean/dry them then was wondering if once they're all out is it safe to crank the enging to blow out any ste that may have built up in there whilst trying to start her?
Any other suggestions? It really needs to be out in this weather

[Biggles101]

You need three things in real basic terms for ignition. Fuel, air and spark. It would appear you've tested for fuel and spark. so that leaves AIR. Is the air filter totally blocked. (Would have to be really bad not to fire but you never know) try disconnecting the pipe from the air filter sponge.
I hope even though you've tested your old coil and amp that you have the new ones on? Have you checked for a spark on ALL plugs and fuel on all cylinders? Beyond this I'm not much use