Non-starter after a period of rest.........................

[Gorvid]

Sorry ---------> http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...




I started her up this eve for the first time in 3 weeks. The bugger was flat....no click, nothing.

A little bit of power to the dash lights but no starter noise. So I was worried.

Then I plugged in my charger [Battery was reading 8v] --> my charger is fecked.

So with jump leads on I gave her another go......turns over, tries to start.....but won't

Now i'm really worried....

What might it be?
[Checked fuses]

[Gorvid]

Well..

What a weird one. In desperation I put a few litres of fuel in [to the already half-full tank].

The bugger roared into life...

I then went for a 30 mile blast with no rear numberplate

[Gorvid]

[GreenGoblin]

Frazer, how long did you run without a front plate

[dodgyviper]

Gorvid

Could it be flooded? Had a similar non-start a few years ago. Turned over fine but no start.

Turned out to be flooded. There are two relays in the passenger footwell, one of which controls the fuel pump. Disconnect this and turn the engine over (dumps the fuel out of the cylinder). Then turn off, reconnect the relay and try again.

[Robwhite]

A couple of years ago my lawnmower would not start in the Spring and as it was under warranty I phoned the makers. They told me that the petrol goes off over a period of time & that I should drain the tank and refill it with new fuel. It started 1st pull. Now I hate to be accused of comparing a Chim with a Mountfield, but there just might be something in it.

Ron

[Gorvid]

^^^ Problem seems to be solved...

I'm not sure fuel can go off in 3 weeks can it?

[spend]

The battery needs a fair bit of charging when it has been discharged, its more than likely just the extra time it had on charge tipped the scales

Dave

[GreenV8S]

The battery will recover if you just let it rest between attempts. If you have a charger connected too, this will definitely help. If you ever need to get a jump start from another vehicle, wait for a minute or two after you connect the jump leads so the dead battery picks up a charge. This way the dead battery can do a small bit to help you start, rather than asking the good battery to charge the flat one *and* start the engine.