XR2i Starting problem please help

[M-Ster]

Hi

I have a 1991 xr2i 1.6 8 valve it has a problem with starting you have to turn it over and over until the battery is nearly flat then just as the battery is getting completely flat it fires up,it is the same whether it is hot or cold.

I have traced it to be no spark at the plugs and have replaced

Ignition relay
plugs
coil pack
ECU
Crank Sensor
The two multiplug do dahs by the bulk head
have tried fiddling with the multiplugs to check they are making connection but nothing seems to work
i have also removed both the alarm and the immob that i had fitted so i know it is also neither of these
once it is running it runs fine

any help or suggestions of what to try would be grately appreciated

[Zad]

Are the injectors actually delivering petrol? I'm just thinking that maybe the fuel pump isn't running or something.

[M-Ster]

brand new fuel pump, filter, and injectors!!

i took the tank off and used clear piping to check the pump was working properly and it was all fine

[Zad]

Is it actually injecting fuel though, i.e. are the plugs getting wet?

A possibility is that one or more injectors are leaking when the vehicle is at rest and getting the plug(s) wet, so it is only repeated cranking that dries out the cylinders. Fully depressing the throttle for a few seconds and cranking it would normally clear the chambers, but cranking normally it would take much longer.

[M-Ster]

no its definitely the spark have taken the leads off and earthed a plug on the body and the spark isnt there until the battery starts dying its almost like a component cant work at full load/crank but as the battery dies it then works

[andy-xr]

Had this on an old Quantum, was mainly the alternator and earth strap

[M-Ster]

what thats what caused it starting trouble?? Was it only starting when nearly flat it does seem to have got worse although i thought i cleaned up all the earths but must have missed one
did you replace the alternator or clean up all the terminals??

[andy-xr]

Replaced the alternator, cleaned up all earths and recrimped the starter connector spade as it wasnt quite connecting properly, large potholes would knock it out

[M-Ster]

that could be it then the ride is very very hard and we live down a country lane i will give that a good looking at thanks

[Zad]

Next step would be to get someone with an oscilloscope and see what sort of pulses you are getting on the LT terminal of the HT coil. If there are none, then start 'scoping the sensor signals etc.