Forum:
Hi all,
I've new to this...just bought an old 1996 1600 petrol sportrak, needs a few bits doing here and there but the problem I have at the moment is with it starting, the engine turns over well, it starts but cuts out after an initial vroom, sounds good till it cuts out, now and then it starts ok and runs just fine...occationally it starts first time, now and then it takes a few goes often it takes 10 or more...I thought it was something around the fuse box area as wiggling the wires seemed to coincide with it starting but that might be a red herring, Ive cleaned up the fuse contacts , one fuse has been bypassed, the engine fuse but it has been replace with an inline fuse and it all makes good contact though , I redid it to make sure...I'm certain it's some sort of electrical / solonoid/ immobiliser type issue but a bit stuck to trace it down, any one got any ideas ??
thanks
Paul
Start with this .................
You are guessing rather than systematically looking for the problem.
There are two alternatives - electrical or fuel.
Electrical.
Check the spark at a spark plug. Remove a spark plug [needs a long reach plug spanner] and sit the plug on the engine block. Check the spark plug is 1mm gap. Leave the HT lead connected and have the plug's metal electode in contact with the engine block. Get a helper to use the ignition key and turn the engine. Watch for a bright spark at the plugs electrode. If no spark or a very weak spark, then check the distributor cap and rotor arm. Rotor arm should be clean and unburned. Check the four electrodes and centre carbon brush inside the distributor cap - they should be clean and obvious - if burned/pitted replace the distributor cap and replace the rotor arm. Also inspect the distributor cap for any hairline cracks - any minute crack will leak HT current so the engine stops.
NB .... spark plug deposits:
white - fuel mix is too weak
grey - fuel mix OK
black - fuel mix too rich.
TIP ...... A night in the dark. Open the bonnet and start the engine. Look for any electrical shorts from the HT leads - flashing to earth or along a HT lead. The flashing will be obvious and will give you a jolt if touched. Any HT leakage - replace the 5 HT leads - the 5 leads fixed into the distributor cap.
Fuel.
Remove the air cleaner. Is it clean - replace if dirty.
Further fuel check then need to be done but you really need to know what you are doing!
Hi , thanks for the tips,
Hi , thanks for the tips, I've worked all through that and it all seems fine, possibly need to borrow an immobiliser from somewhere and swap it out to elliminate that, then work through the soloniods etyc for fuel pump and the like...