Elise S1 not starting?!?

[beez]

My S1 Elise will not start!

Its been running fine (I use it every day!) then friday morning it would turn over but wouldn't start :confused: I think it could be somthing to do with the fuel pump as i cant hear the usual whine of the pump pressurizing the tank when you turn the key, just a clicking sound comming from under a riveted plastic cover in the luggage compartment.

I have checked all the fuses and wiring although i'm not a sparky so unless there was a wire hanging loose... i'm not to good with that side of things!

I've had the passenger seat out to have a look at the pump via the inspection pannel but its so tight you cant really do a lot!

After looking around on the forums :read: etc i belive & hope it could be the Fuel Pump Relay but i'm not sure where that is :banghead: , can anyone help?

Thanks
Beez

[S Works]

Yep, you've hit the nail on the head - sounds like a knackered relay.

On an S1 you'll find the set of them which has the fuel pump one in the front service compartment above the wheel to the right as you look at the car (there's another set in the engine bay too but for other stuff IIRC). Check the manual for which one it is. Only about £30 to get a new one, and a simple pull out, slot in job to fix.

[340ragtop]

first things first.

the fuel pump fuse is known to be too low rated in early cars - did you check it?

did you also check the inertia switch?

did you also set and unset the alarm a few times as the immobiliser relays can stick and fail (very common indeed)

[beez]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yes, i checked the Pump Fuse (Once i'd found it in the boot!) its 20amp which i think is higher than the early models. Also did the inertia switch.

I'll have a look at the relays tonight, can you just swap them around so i can quickly check that's the problem or are they all different?

Fingers crossed!!!

[beez]

Just an update.....

The new relay arrived yesterday from Eliseparts.co.uk £32 inc delivery. So last night i spent 5mins unplugging the old relay to replace with the new one.

The relay was in the boot mounted just under/next to the ECU.

First turn of the key the fuel pump whined and the car started!!!!

[beez]

Hi guys, the problem has come back, its been running fine for almost a month since I put the new Relay in but this Sunday morning it wouldn't start!

Its not the relay and it wasn’t the relay last time that appears to have been a coincidence. My Girlfriend has an MGF with the K series engine, so I checked my new and old relays on her car both of which worked fine.
I also put her 100% working relay in my car but still no Fuel Pump whine.

I have had a look at the wiring diagrams the only thing I think it could be is the immobilizer bridging plug between the Relay and Fuel Pump. I think the alarm system is not switching off the immobilizer on the fuel pump.

I presume I could bypass the immobilizer but I don’t think my insurance company would be too happy.

Has anyone else has this issue and is there somewhere I could buy an immobilizer bridging plug?

Thanks
Beez

[tuscan_thunder]

have you tried disarming the immobiliser using the plug-in thing instead of the remote? just a thought....

[nick1181]

My S1 was doing that when I first got it, the problem was the battery. The battery had been drained and when I tried to start it it made a loud clicking noise. after a jump start and a full recharge it was fine, but the battery may be deteriorating on yours.

Have you checked the battery?

Nick

[beez]

Yeah I've tried the Immobiliser thing didn't make any difference.

I haven't checked the battery as it seemed to have plenty of power to turn the starter motor. My battery did run flat during a two week holiday in September.

Nick - did your car turn over when you had the battery issue? Think i might try jump starting it tonight see what happens!