She won't start

[jubileejim]

Started her up she ticked over for a couple of seconds then she cut out . Now she wont start. She turnsover fine but won't fire up.

Any get me going suggestions?

thanks

jj

[Chimjunkie]

Can you hear the fuel pump whirring?

[Cider Andy]

It's possibly flooded. Try removing the fuel pump relay and turning it over again. If it tries to fire, replace the relay and try again. If it still won't start remove and dry the plugs and try again.

It can be a bit hit and miss and if it is flooded the plugs might need replacing.

[RedCabbage]

Check the basics first fuel and spark - but not at the same time!

Dizzy cap and rotor arm are often overlooked.

[jubileejim]

Is it possible for it to flood its self?

[That Daddy]

jubileejim said:

Is it possible for it to flood its self?

[jubileejim]

Sadly there is no whirring

[Cider Andy]

Remove the two steel relays in the footwell, flick them (they can stick), swap them around then replace them. Make sure the immobiliser is reset then try again.

[GreenV8S]

jubileejim said:

Sadly there is no whirring

It should run for a couple of seconds when you first switch the ignition on. If it doesn't do that then either the ECU isn't getting any power or there's a fault in the fuel pump circuit. One quick and easy way to confirm it's just the fuel pump circuit is to take a fused 12v supply from anywhere you can get it, to the pump. The battery is the ideal place to take this from. You should hear the pump running continuously, and if the problem is just the pump supply then the engine will now start and run. Then you're in a position to track the problem down. This is also a useful get-you-home bodge if you have any problems with the fuel pump relay, inertia cut-off etc.

[allyrs]

might be worth making sure the inertia switch hasnt been activated?
sounds funny but a couple of years ago my chim went round a roundabout and just cut out. it started then stopped. then when i tried to start it the fuel pump didnt whirr.
i tried everything.
id suggest full ignition check, then pump and fueling but just make sure you inertia switch is not loose and upturned like mine was. its above the passenger glove pocket. its a black box with a stick that pokes out of it when activated. its there incase you flip the car as a safety device to cut the fuel.
worth looking as a simple rule out.

[jubileejim]

I will look for the inertia switch. But it should have gone off should it. All I did was start the engine. It ticked over fine for a couple of seconds and then stopped. It feels to me as if a fuse or something has gone.

[GreenV8S]

jubileejim said:

I will look for the inertia switch. But it should have gone off should it. All I did was start the engine. It ticked over fine for a couple of seconds and then stopped. It feels to me as if a fuse or something has gone.

Depending how the car has been treated, you might find that you have a pile of rust where the inertia cut-off was supposed to be. Just because it 'should be' OK, doesn't mean you can take it for granted.

[jubileejim]

I looked for the inertia switch but cant see the cover described in the bible. The only screws appear to be on the glove pocket.

[T16s]

I'm having similar problems at the moment. I went over a bump in the road and the car just cut out; no noise from the fuel pump when turning on the ignition. Did get it running for a few days after fiddling with the relays and inertia switch, but after leaving it for a few days, it's at it again. I turn on the ignition, the relays click, but nothing from the pump.

To get to the inertia switch, just undo those two screws on the 'pouch' that you mentioned. Stick your hand into the gap under the pouch, and you should find a small black box with a couple of wires coming out of it, and a bit that sticks out when its been triggered. An 'i' symbol should also display on the dash if it has.

Best of luck

PS. I just noticed we have a similar car line-up. Is the saab working, at least?

Edited by T16s on Monday 28th January 11:14

[Cider Andy]

T16s said:

I turn on the ignition, the relays click, but nothing from the pump.

Have you checked the connections at the fuel pump?

T16s said:

An 'i' symbol should also display on the dash if it has.

That's only on the later (revised) dashboard.

[T16s]

Hi Cider Andy, I tried the connections on the drivers'-side top of the fuel tank; is that the fuelpump? Anyway, they look clean and secure. The wires and connections behind the carpet near the passenger door look a little corroded, so I'll try those next. Do you have any idea which ones' are for the fuel pump?

Mine is a '94 400HC and has the 'i' light, though it only comes on briefly when the relays click.

[Cider Andy]

T16s said:

Mine is a '94 400HC and has the 'i' light.

Ah! I got that bit wrong then!

Thos connectors you've checked are for the fuel gauge sender. If you have corrosion in the contacts in the 'B' post they certainly need cleaning up/repairing/replacing.

The connectors to the fuel pump I meant are at the pump itself which is underneath the car, near the centre, passenger side, level with the back wheel.

[T16s]

Cool, thanks very much for the info. I'll have a look under the car when I get home, if it's still light. Hope it is those connectors, as I'm really missing driving the car. Shame I ordered £30 worth of new relays yesterday, though......

If the relays are clicking, can I pretty much assume that the problem is somewhere in the fuelpump wiring after the relays?

[jubileejim]

T16s said:

PS. I just noticed we have a similar car line-up. Is the saab working, at least?

Yep the saab is fine thank especially now it has a new head gasket .

I tried all the obvious the called the AA out as I have home start and he tested all the eletrics and fuel pumpe aonnections etc and couldn't fix it. So I had to get it towed to the garage I use. So fingers crossed it'll be sorted soon. I will check what problem they fix and post it in this thread as a guide to others.

[T16s]

Well mine's working now. It was the wires on the fuel pump under the car. Thanks very much, Cider Andy