96 Sprint - Non Start Help for Novice!!!! Please
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I bought a sprint engined caterham to help me learn a bit more about engines etc.. a couple of years ago. However so far all I have done is burn around in it. The car was left garaged for a while due to a baby, and when I went to start it up it wouldnt. Free home start mechanic came round (as perks of insurance) and he could not get it stareted saying it was either the distributer or loom.
I have taken the distrubter cap off and took to a local auto spares, who could not figure out what it was (even after removing the Rotor also and giving that to them). Anyway I bought some new HT leads whist I was there just in case. I replaced these and was still npot getting any turnover. Whilst my missues was pushing the start button, i Removed the 5th lead into the distributer cap accidently (I presume this is the from the coil???) and the whole car went dead.
I replace all the fuses on the fuse board and am still not getting anything. Any change anyone can help??
If anyone lives near Honiton in Devon and fancies a few beers one evening whilst helping me diagnose the issue (or even just to teach me a bit more), please let me know - Paul 07429 979001
I bought a sprint engined caterham to help me learn a bit more about engines etc.. a couple of years ago. However so far all I have done is burn around in it. The car was left garaged for a while due to a baby, and when I went to start it up it wouldnt. Free home start mechanic came round (as perks of insurance) and he could not get it stareted saying it was either the distributer or loom.
I have taken the distrubter cap off and took to a local auto spares, who could not figure out what it was (even after removing the Rotor also and giving that to them). Anyway I bought some new HT leads whist I was there just in case. I replaced these and was still npot getting any turnover. Whilst my missues was pushing the start button, i Removed the 5th lead into the distributer cap accidently (I presume this is the from the coil???) and the whole car went dead.
I replace all the fuses on the fuse board and am still not getting anything. Any change anyone can help??
If anyone lives near Honiton in Devon and fancies a few beers one evening whilst helping me diagnose the issue (or even just to teach me a bit more), please let me know - Paul 07429 979001
Paul,
Q1. From age, assume car is an EU2 K series? If so then for replacement HT leads, cap and arm you want the bits from a Rover 214 / 414. I too have a 96 K, but Roadsport.
Q2. You don't mention an immobiliser; is one fitted?
Q3. When you turn on the electrics, do you get the big red light lit and can you hear a whine as the fuel pump pressurises the system?
Q1. From age, assume car is an EU2 K series? If so then for replacement HT leads, cap and arm you want the bits from a Rover 214 / 414. I too have a 96 K, but Roadsport.
Q2. You don't mention an immobiliser; is one fitted?
Q3. When you turn on the electrics, do you get the big red light lit and can you hear a whine as the fuel pump pressurises the system?
Hi. I think its a K Series, however it is the ford engine (not Rover or Vauxhall). (1.6 Sprint version). Does this matter about the rover parts?
It does have an immoboiliser just to really help the situation.
When put the key in and turned the electrics, oddly it did put the immobiliser light on. However when I tried to trun it over the whiole panel went dead again. No noise, just seems like its tripping somethin out somewhere.
Later perhaps I will see if it does it again and then maybe post a video.
Cheers - Paul.
It does have an immoboiliser just to really help the situation.
When put the key in and turned the electrics, oddly it did put the immobiliser light on. However when I tried to trun it over the whiole panel went dead again. No noise, just seems like its tripping somethin out somewhere.
Later perhaps I will see if it does it again and then maybe post a video.
Cheers - Paul.
I had a simular problem which proved very hard to track down. It turned out to be a bad earth on the ECU. Since it's carbureted, have you pumped the throttle at all whilst trying to start?
If the battery isn't 100% your starter motor will be stealing power from your ECU/coil whilst cranking.
If the battery isn't 100% your starter motor will be stealing power from your ECU/coil whilst cranking.
A sprint is a car from an era before the K-Series. 1996 means its one of the last of its type.
It does not have an ECU, its much more primative.
Does it have something which looks like this on the panel below the windscreen under the bonnet? If this is the case, then it at least has electronic ignition.... but this is not a good thing as your fault will likely be with the rotor arm in the distributor. These are special ones for the Lucas Electronic Ignition which are both notoriously unreliable and out of production.
So check the rotor arm. It uses a metal disc to control the ignition timing (bizarre but true), but is very prone to failure. You should have a plastic rotor with a slotted steel skirt hanging down from underneath it. If the plastic and steel parts have parted company, that is the cause of the problem.
Let us know and we can continue to help you.
Teflon.
Thanks. I think the original problem was the distributor and or rotor, however when in accidently pulled out the lead from the coil I blew everything. Since this I cannot get any power anywhere else (AS ABOVE).
Fyi the distributor and rotor have had an electronic conversion at some stage. Do you know if there us an alternative rotor assembly that I can replacewith???
Many thanks Paul
Thanks. I think the original problem was the distributor and or rotor, however when in accidently pulled out the lead from the coil I blew everything. Since this I cannot get any power anywhere else (AS ABOVE).
Fyi the distributor and rotor have had an electronic conversion at some stage. Do you know if there us an alternative rotor assembly that I can replacewith???
Many thanks Paul
All.
Many thanks for all your help (especially Teflomn).
Replaced all items, coil, ditrubtor last night and cleaned all electrical connections and now I can get the spark through the HT leads (however not checked the plugs). Not sure if I am getting fuel. I think the fuel pump is mechanical and cannot seem to get neat it to remove - Any Ideas?
Put a picture below. I assume the fueld pump is near the dipstick in the picture (underneath).
Many thanks for all your help (especially Teflomn).
Replaced all items, coil, ditrubtor last night and cleaned all electrical connections and now I can get the spark through the HT leads (however not checked the plugs). Not sure if I am getting fuel. I think the fuel pump is mechanical and cannot seem to get neat it to remove - Any Ideas?
Put a picture below. I assume the fueld pump is near the dipstick in the picture (underneath).
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