It won't start!

[Toltec]

400SE hotwire, checked the usual suspects but one odd thing is that the fuel pump just keeps running when the ignition is switched on rather than cutting out after a few seconds. Clamping the return pipe will make the pump stall and stop but it starts up again when the clamp is released. It also looks like the injectors are not delivering any fuel. My thoughts are running towards a dead ecu but if anyone has another idea please let me know.

[blaineuk]

has it plenty of petrol in, remove feed pipe and check flow.

[Toltec]

blaineuk said:

has it plenty of petrol in, remove feed pipe and check flow.

The fuel is quite low but there is enough pressure to open the fpr return. Tried a spare fpr and fuel pump too.

Tried connecting the pumped fuel feed to a pair of injectors on section of old fuel rail and connecting up the cables and no fuel is sprayed from the injectors so I am pretty sure there is no injector pulse from the ecu.

On a flapper the the opening of the flap closes a microswitch which powers up the pump, where does a hotwire get the equivalent signal? I seem to remember it uses the signal from the ignition amp but am not 100% sure, is it possible the ignition amp is faulty? There is a spark though it does not look particularly strong.

[blaineuk]

not sure how it gets it's initial signal, thought the pump runs when ignition is turned on, then stops when fuel pressure is reached (sensor in fuel rail), but not sure on this. does sound ecu related as you are getting no ingection pulse.

[dwgriffith]

blaineuk said:

not sure how it gets it's initial signal, thought the pump runs when ignition is turned on, then stops when fuel pressure is reached (sensor in fuel rail), but not sure on this. does sound ecu related as you are getting no ingection pulse.

Sensor in fuel rail is temperature only, the ECU has no way of knowing what the actual fuel pressure is.

[jmorgan]

Can't find the link at the moment but there may be a few out there with the PDF of the check and how it works, might have a copy on me hard drive.

Anyone with a spare ecu near by?

Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 15th March 23:01

[matt-man]

I had a silly moment yesterday!!!

Havent started the car since begining of december and decided to fire her up ready for next weeks MOT!

ANYWAY, could not get her started, kept firing and backfiring....sounded like i was out of fuel!

Anyway, after checking fuel lines, fuses, etc etc looking in my cupboard of car bits i found something....the ECU!! i'd taken it out when carpeting that side of the car!

Would you believe, turned on the flick of the switch with the ECU in!!!!

[Toltec]

jmorgan said:

Can't find the link at the moment but there may be a few out there with the PDF of the check and how it works, might have a copy on me hard drive.

Anyone with a spare ecu near by?

Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 15th March 23:01

I have managed to find someone with a spare, they are dropping it off on Monday. The ecus seem to come up often enough on eBay so if that is the culprit replacing it should not be a problem. I missed out on one with a Tornado chip the other week as I got distracted towards the end of the auction, went for £200.

I have the PDF thanks

Edited by Toltec on Sunday 16th March 17:27

[rev-erend]

matt-man said:

I had a silly moment yesterday!!!

Havent started the car since begining of december and decided to fire her up ready for next weeks MOT!

ANYWAY, could not get her started, kept firing and backfiring....sounded like i was out of fuel!

Anyway, after checking fuel lines, fuses, etc etc looking in my cupboard of car bits i found something....the ECU!! i'd taken it out when carpeting that side of the car!

Would you believe, turned on the flick of the switch with the ECU in!!!!

[celcius]

[Toltec]

Turns out it was not a hotwire the chap had.

Looking on eBay there a few ecus for sale, the one on the car is a PRC7081, any idea if a prc9611 or AMR1424 can be used?

I have a spare ignition amp to try in the mean time though I do not see how that would make the pump keep running.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I have a spare I can lend you plus yellow wedge has one for sale. (that's also at my house.)
Where about's are you.

[Toltec]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

I have a spare I can lend you plus yellow wedge has one for sale. (that's also at my house.)
Where about's are you.

Just off the A2 Danson or Falconwood junctions.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Well you can collect from me (nr basilson)
Or I can post to you if you cover the postage.

Leigh

[eesbad]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/411231.htm 

Any use? They are in Kent too...

Edited to add that they are not mine and I am not on commission!!

Edited by eesbad on Tuesday 18th March 16:31

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Lucas 14 CUX are hotwire.
He's said he has a flapper.

Also you may want to check the injector Resister pack if it's a flapper system.

[Toltec]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Lucas 14 CUX are hotwire.
He's said he has a flapper.

Also you may want to check the injector Resister pack if it's a flapper system.

Sorry Leigh, it is a Hotwire, said so first post - I guess yours are flappers then?

[Toltec]

eesbad said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/411231.htm 

Any use? They are in Kent too...

Edited to add that they are not mine and I am not on commission!!

Edited by eesbad on Tuesday 18th March 16:31

A bit pricey at £200 each, one went on eBay for £36 (inc postage) another went for £200 but with a MA Tornado chip. I missed out on the cheap one because I thought the one turning up Monday would do the job.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Toltec said:

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Lucas 14 CUX are hotwire.
He's said he has a flapper.

Also you may want to check the injector Resister pack if it's a flapper system.

Sorry Leigh, it is a Hotwire, said so first post - I guess yours are flappers then?

Sorry both mine are flappers, I thought you posted you made a mistake and it was a flapper.

Must have miss read. don't allways have time to read to great detail at work.

Leigh

[rev-erend]

Toltec said:

eesbad said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/411231.htm 

Any use? They are in Kent too...

Edited to add that they are not mine and I am not on commission!!

Edited by eesbad on Tuesday 18th March 16:31

A bit pricey at £200 each, one went on eBay for £36 (inc postage) another went for £200 but with a MA Tornado chip. I missed out on the cheap one because I thought the one turning up Monday would do the job.

Chris,

I have a 14CUX - I'm up your way on Friday around 12am and could let you borrow it to see if thats your problem..