Topic

By: BuzzA
Posts: 1
Joined: 24/02/09

It won't start!

Posted: Nov 21 2010 Tags: engine, mk1, starting Views: 42

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Hi all,

I'm getting to my wit's end... or maybe my husband is. My poor little car has been sitting on the driveway for the last couple of weeks while we've tried to work out what it's problem is. Originally I started the car and it turned over, started but seemed to require quite a bit of revving to keep it running. The rev counter was around 1000 and getting lower. I took my foot off the accelarator and it decided it wasn't going to play anymore. It stopped!

Since then I've tried starting it and not even gotten the engine to catch. You can quite clearly hear the engine turn over when you turn the ignition and at the back end you can smell fuel. We've replaced the ignition leads with new shiny 8mm leads and it also has new plugs. We've checked the leads and plugs for sparking and they definitely have that. So at least we know a charge is getting there... and we can rule out the coil pack as a problem.

Help? Suggestions would be welcome and recommendations for any garages and good mechanics in the Reading area..

Thanks,

Anna

By the way, it's a new shiny red Mk1 (1990) 1.6 roadster

Replies

RE: It won't start!

Hi Buzz and welcome back

Other than needing a new battery i don't know

It may be worth popping the same question on the mk1 area as well {now moved Garffey}

good luck

"You shall rue this day. Well ... go on... start rueing!"
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Posted: Nov 21 2010 By: VO5 Jo Posts: 6280
RE: It won't start!

You say you can smell fuel, could this mean it is leaking out somewhere, rather than going where it is supposed to?
Other than that I not able to help much.

Red MK2 (in the arms of another) Blue MK3 RC (happy again)

Posted: Nov 23 2010 By: 73 Posts: 227
RE: It won't start!

I would say this sounds like an Air Flow Meter problem. Basic tests include holding the vane open while starting etc... Google should give you some diagnostic advice, if that is the problem then there are plenty of second hand units you can buy cheap.

Posted: Nov 23 2010 By: bloodline Posts: 448
RE: It won't start!

if you got a spark are you sure youve got fuel coming thru? may sound daft but do you have an immobiliser fitted as these normally connected in two places one being the fuel relay . Is the fuel relay working properly?

doesnt sound a serious problem just an annoying one to find ...

Posted: Dec 05 2010 By: denby87 Posts: 101
RE: It won't start!

Could initially be something simple like flooded carbs. Try starting again with the clutch depressed and the accelerator fully depressed also.

If it is fires, and hopefully starts, it would be something causing the flooding that is the problem but I don't know what that would be other than a damaged/worn float in the carbs.

Another very common problem that it could be is the small coil in the distributor cap. It's very cheap and extremely simple to change yourself so it might be worth doing anyway if it has not been changed for a few years.

The coil is the component in the bottom left corner. Check your rotor arm and distributor cap itself for wear.

Dave Rose - Gloucester / Copper Red 2.0 Sport RC / X007MXS

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Posted: Dec 05 2010 By: djrose007 Posts: 1880
RE: It won't start!

@djrose007

With all due respect, your post is irrelevant. The Mx5 has a computer controlled fuel injection system. It features no carburettor or distributor.

Posted: Dec 06 2010 By: bloodline Posts: 448