Help Please - Won't start !!

[jonnyboy]

A couple of months ago i changed the distributor cap as the old one had a crack in it, but with Christmas, holidays & work getting in the way was unable to take the car out.

A couple of weeks ago, went to go for a drive and found i had a flat battery, replaced that over the last two weeks in instalements - i couldn't get the last nut off - needed to get an extension for me socket set.

Whilst replacing the battery i unplugged the ECU(this was left unplugged for two weeks), got the new battery in today - all electrics now work, but the car won't start. She turns over but won't catch.

I have checked all the leads from the distributor cap are on correctly and they seem to be, so could leaving the ECU unplugged for two weeks have caused this problem. I have also looked at all the relays & fuses and none appear to have been dislodged whilst removing/replacing the battery.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Jonny Boy

[david beer]

I always take my ecu out when holidaying, never had a problem. Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition on ? Last weekend i completely removed the two metal relays and sockets(fuel and ignition) and soldered in reliable replacements, you hear so many failures of these, i though i would "fix it before it broke". Being on the ECU loom, i would look in that direction.

[raw-sewedge]

Same here, mine was removed for about 5 weeks last summer while the gearbox was out. I had no problems starting it after I put it all back together.

[jonnyboy]

Thanks for the suggestions, I can hear the fuel pump whinning as i turn the ignition on - so i presume this would mean the pump is working and therefore the fuel relay is ok.
Are the metal relays standard, as from what i recall i have two metal relays amongst the jumble of wires in the passenger footwell, so hopefully these will be the relays you've referred to.
I will try replacing both of these at the weekend and keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again, will let you know what happens.

Cheers

Jonny Boy

[Hoover.]

might sound silly , but petrol ??????????

Made the same error myself about 1.5yrs ago. Ended up changing leads, plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm, et all..... to work out no petrol

[jonnyboy]

That thought had crossed my mind too, the gauge is showing half full - but i think i'll take a trip to the garage with my jerry can, just in case !!

[jonnyboy]

What a wonderfull day, got her started eventually.
After a lot of messing about it looks like the new distributor cap had some sort of lacquer over the contacts, after roughing these up a bit - she roared into life.

Spent all afternoon just driving round for the hell of it. Heaven.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Cheers

Jonnyboy