intermittent starting problem
Discussion
Hi All,
Firstly a big thanks to all you regular PHers. I wouldn't have bought a Chimaera (from a PH ad) without all the info and advice I'd seen on here (plus got the 'bible', thanks Steve!) . Its been fantastic fun so far, and any small niggles (e.g door buttons freezing), or questions have been rapidly solved from a quick glance through the forum archives.
However.. It's just decided that intermittently it will fail to start. I thought it was damp to start with, so sealed the usual bits with 'damp start', but that hasn't solved it. Basically when it doesn't want to start, the fuel pump primes ok (so not an immobiliser problem), the engine turns over fine (not a starter or battery problem then), but none of the cylinders are firing at all. So, my assumption is that no spark is being generated. I've checked and rechecked the HT lead connections (dry as a bone and pushed on tight), plus the 4 electrical connections into the coil, but nothing helps. I'm leaving plenty of time between starting attempts to avoid flooding, but after a period of time of maybe half an hour, it will then start immediately. Someone has mentioned that there is a sensor on the engine that detects when it's turning over, and this 'tells' the coil to generate a charge, and this might be faulty?) Also, its happening when cold (not the starter overheating then!), and I am now COMPLETELY at a loss. I've trawled the archives, and can't think what else it might be.
HELP!! Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
PS [edited to say I released the fuel cap as well, and there was a small hiss, but not much, so I don't think there was a vacuum stopping fuel flow to the engine]
>>> Edited by greenink on Sunday 19th January 22:47
Firstly a big thanks to all you regular PHers. I wouldn't have bought a Chimaera (from a PH ad) without all the info and advice I'd seen on here (plus got the 'bible', thanks Steve!) . Its been fantastic fun so far, and any small niggles (e.g door buttons freezing), or questions have been rapidly solved from a quick glance through the forum archives.
However.. It's just decided that intermittently it will fail to start. I thought it was damp to start with, so sealed the usual bits with 'damp start', but that hasn't solved it. Basically when it doesn't want to start, the fuel pump primes ok (so not an immobiliser problem), the engine turns over fine (not a starter or battery problem then), but none of the cylinders are firing at all. So, my assumption is that no spark is being generated. I've checked and rechecked the HT lead connections (dry as a bone and pushed on tight), plus the 4 electrical connections into the coil, but nothing helps. I'm leaving plenty of time between starting attempts to avoid flooding, but after a period of time of maybe half an hour, it will then start immediately. Someone has mentioned that there is a sensor on the engine that detects when it's turning over, and this 'tells' the coil to generate a charge, and this might be faulty?) Also, its happening when cold (not the starter overheating then!), and I am now COMPLETELY at a loss. I've trawled the archives, and can't think what else it might be.
HELP!! Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
PS [edited to say I released the fuel cap as well, and there was a small hiss, but not much, so I don't think there was a vacuum stopping fuel flow to the engine]
>>> Edited by greenink on Sunday 19th January 22:47
Hi,
Well the next time it happened, I WD40'd the HT lead ends and also inside the distributor using a rag, and it started immediately, and has (fingers crossed) been 100% since!!
So, thanks for the ideas, I am pretty sure now that it must have been damp related, most probably damp inside the distributor itself.
The Covercraft cover I ordered has now turned up, so it should be nice and snug from now on!
Well the next time it happened, I WD40'd the HT lead ends and also inside the distributor using a rag, and it started immediately, and has (fingers crossed) been 100% since!!
So, thanks for the ideas, I am pretty sure now that it must have been damp related, most probably damp inside the distributor itself.
The Covercraft cover I ordered has now turned up, so it should be nice and snug from now on!
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