Forum:
I bought a 1990 Sporty about a month ago and then found this web site (Great web site LuRcH Full marks). I have been reading the postings daily and like a lot of you, I long for a full copy of the Sportrak manual (preferably on CD) I was able to download the 440 page engine manual from the foreign site (thanks for the tip off Nat).
I have been very impressed with my Sporty, I've had my top off & loved it, built a multi-purpose trailer (Boat, Box & Flatbed)& been towing it all over the place ever since. The truth is, since buying my Sporty, I've been in my element and can't wait to go off road.
The problem I have is, a few days ago I went to start my Sporty and she turned over just fine but there was not a sign of her wanting to start, at first I thought I had flooded her, so I left her alone for a while and when I returned she started OK.
This happened again a couple of days later and has been happening ever since with increasing regularity and now the engine management light has started to make a brief appearance before going out again.
The strange thing is that once started she runs a sweet as a nut and never falters.
Any thoughts on what the problem might be?
Check the distrib cap
One thing many of us Sportrak owners have discovered is that the distributor cap and rotor arms are generally ignored for years as they are in a slightly awkward place compared to most other vehicles. Mine which got changed in Jan was the original one and my Sporty has done 80k!
Obviously your's shouldn't be its original but I would say that would be one of the first things to check as mine played up starting, change the cap and arm and it starts first turn everytime now!
____________
N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, more to follow!
____________
The distributor is a bit out
The distributor is a bit out of the way, I think I will need to look at it when I have plenty of time!
One of the things I noticed when I looked under the bonnet for the first time, was that the distributor and battery looked like a recent replacements, everyone that has looked under the bonnet since comments on the small size of the battery.
By the way the milage is nearly 80K (not verified, although I have a signed bill of sale from the second owner, stating the milage is correct, he bought the car in 1992)
Thanks for the tip I'll give them a check.
Battery size
My Sportraks battery physciallys is small, but does has a suprising amount of charge and power to it. Left my lights on for 3 and half hours when doing xmas shopping and it still started fine!!
you also now see what I meant by the distributor is often ancient because mechanics if they can help it avoid changing it but telling the nice customer they have. Cos its bit of a bastard to get at.
____________
N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, more to follow!
____________
My Sporty started playing up
My Sporty started playing up again today, just didn't want to start. I tried wiggling all of the usual wires but that made no difference. (Strange it usually does the trick)
I then thought about pulling the backup fuse to try and reset the error codes, that didn't work either.
While I was in the fuse box I pulled the fuel pump relay and surprise surprise the engine burst into life. While I was trying to wipe the smile off my face the engine died again (I knew the problem this time, no fuel).
I replaced the fuse again and tried to restart the engine again, fully expecting it to fire, usual story it wouldn't start. Pulled the relay again and hey presto it works until the fuel runs out again.
How I'm getting smart, replace the relay & switch the ignition on, remove the relay again and start the car & while it is still running replace the relay (yeah that should work!) Not on your life, the moment I replace the relay it dies again.
I repeat the process several times and start to feel like a monkey with a new trick.
Eventually I manage to start the engine and replace the relay without the engine cutting out, I sit there for several minutes waiting for the engine to cut out again but it just keeps on running. Eventually I risk driving back home again.
I check the error codes and get a 4 & 11. I check the distributor & plugs for good measure and both are fine as I expected.
I crimped up the water temperature sensor connector and tweaked the throttle sensor. All I can do now it wait and see.
Error Codes
How do ya get your Sportrak to show you errorcodes?
____________
N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, more to follow!
____________
LuRcH, Short the test termin
LuRcH,
Short the test terminal of the check terminal with the ground terminal.
It's in the manual on page EF-25 to EF-30.
Salty
Thought I had read it somewhere
Ah thanks. Knew I had read it somewhere but was convinced it wasn't from the service manual for some reason. Think it's cos mechanics like to charge you £10+ for hooking it up to a computer to read the sensors. Not use a bit of wire to short it and show it on the dash!
____________
N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, more to follow!
____________
Well I didn't have to wait lo
Well I didn't have to wait long, playing up again today. I checked the error codes again, 1 Flash (all ok, it thinks).
I start the process of removing & replacing the fuel pump relay & the engine starts & stops with each cycle of the process. This is becoming a battle of wills. Eventually I manage to get the engine running & drive home. (Once running it never falters)
When I am safely in my drive I switch off and check the error codes again, this time I get a code 4. (Water temp sensor)
I try to start it again & it starts 1st time (still has error code 4).
I have booked it into the Daihatsu main dealers for Monday to see if they can find the problem.
Went to the main dealer today
Went to the main dealer today, what a waist of time that was!
I asked if I could watch as I was interested, they said no, that would not be possible.
I asked why not and they said because of insurance but I could watch from the doorway.
I later went back and said that I couldn't see from the doorway and asked if they would reconsider. This time they agreed.
The technician plugged my Sporty into their computer, twin processors networked together (2 pieces of wire and a crocodile clip) slightly more sophisticated than my single processor with loop back (3" of fuse wire bent in half) but surely not as reliable. Anyway the result was the same the engine management light on the dash flashed away telling it's story (Water temp sensor problem).
So that’s the problem. Guess what, the main dealer doesn't have one in stock and will have to order it. It will take 3 days and cost £40.
The good news is that they decided not to charge me for the diagnostics. I suspect, when they tried to remove it from the workshop it wouldn't start. They probably ended up pushing it back onto the forecourt.
Luckily, I'm getting the hang of starting it now and a couple of minutes later I'm driving off the forecourt.
I've ordered the sensor from the local motor factors and it will arrive tomorrow morning and probably be a lot cheaper.
Conclusion
Fitted a new water temperature sensor(2 terminal connections) today, not to be confused with the water temperature sender(1 terminal connection), both are located by the distributor at the end of the cylinder head. Reset the error code on the ECU(pulled backup fuse 10 seconds
All appears to be OK now.
Distributor
If your changing the rotor and checking the distributor, remove the distributor. Its far easier to clean/check than doing the job on the car. Attaching the distributor to the engine is very simple provided you know the method.
PS. Set number one piston tdc/compression and check rotor postion within the distributor cap. When you re-attach the distributor check rotor is in the same position - very easy to re fit it incorrectly at 180 degrees and it wont start!
Then re-adjust the timing to correct settings.
PPS I have the full w/shop manual on CD !
Thanks for the tip. I think t
Thanks for the tip. I think that there must have been a bad electrical connection somewhere. I have done over 300 miles since last experiencing the problem, so fingers crossed that the problem doesn't re-occur before I am able to schedule some major service time.
I have been putting the service off pending reseach into whether to do any performance upgrades.
I would be very greatful if you could provide a copy of the full manual on CD, I'll drop you an Email.
Sportrak Manual on CD
Mace,
Are You there? I've sent you a Private Message about your Sportrak manual but received no reply!
Salty
Hi.
Sorry, been away and busy. Will check your reply.
withdrawn - got confused
withdrawn - got confused
Don