Can't start it!!

[whd]

Went to go to work this morning, car wouldn't start. Battery is fine, starter motor (just replaced at the weekend) turning over nicely, but the engine doesn't seem to be catching at all. I went through all the fuses as it seems that there's no fuel getting through - found a 10a blown fuse, replaced it, no difference.

It's either not sparking, or no fuel getting through.....?

I've now got the AA coming round at 8pm-ish, but someone mentioned on here about a relay that goes, a common problem. Can anyone give me any pointers as to where it actually is (and what it does)?

Thanks all

[dougc]

Is the fuel pump priming OK?

[whd]

Someone mentioned I should be able to hear it 'initiate'...but...is it meant to be loud?

Whereabouts should I be listening?

[paulathome]

You should be able to hear it sat in the car with stereo and heater fans off.
The pump is located at the rear off side just near the back axle.
When the ignition is turned on you should hear it run for a second or so, until the pressure is up in the fuel rail.
It should then stop.
Obviously when the engine fires up it will then start running again. (but you wont hear it)
The most common failure to start is the two relays located next to the battery on flying leads.
One controls the ECU the other powers the fuel pump. If either of these fails the car will not start.
You could try swapping the two relays over, the car will still not start if one of the relays is faulty,
but you may hear the fuel pump run if this relay is at fault.
They are cheap to replace.
Hope this is of some use,
Cheers,
Paul.

[dougc]

Back left hand (I think) side around the wheelarch area. If you are in the garage or somewhere without much backgound noise, you should hear a sort of whirring sound that lasts about 2 seconds when you turn the key to the position where the dashboard lights up, one notch before the starter turns over.

Friend of mine had the same problem as you, engine turning, just not firing. Turned out to be a wire had come loose on the fuel pump.

Dammit too slow!

Edited by dougc on Wednesday 12th July 19:39

[whd]

Ok, been out, tried again, no sound at all apart from some 'blowing' noise from the drivers front wing.

Took the battery off, found the relays* (Silver square things that plug in with 6 or so connecting contacts). Swapped them over, car still doesn't start.

I did notice that there were spaces for 3 relays, but only two were in place?


*1 fairly corroded on the surface...

[whd]

Update: Called the AA round, thought I might as well make use of their service. He's gone round the car fault-finding, and concluded that there is power at the coil, but none getting through to the distributor from the electronic ignition - so it's not sparking.

He's said it's either the immobiliser gone wrong (?) or the electronic ignition device.

Bum.