10 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

Got the autotester (clicky) wired up on Saturday and it turned over with no plugs in to raise oil pressure with no problems. Refitted plugs and cranked it again to check pressure - again no problem, a little slow maybe but nothing else. Flicked the ignition switch on (no key, seperate ignition switch and starter button) and now the engine struggles to crank. Ignition off - cranks OK, ignition on - struggles again.

Tried another battery - same result
Tried jump leads off a diesel golf - same result (well slightly better)
Tried by-passing ignition switch and providing a +ve feed stright to coil - same result
Differnet coil - same result
Different dizzy (both electronic) - same result

On two occasions I got it to fire and run, which it did quite well, but the rest of the time it just won't turn over fast enough to fire.

The starter was getting very hot, but this could just be due the constant trying.


Help!! (if you can!)

[Grayedout]

If the timing is too far advanced then the plug will be firing before the piston has reached TDC and impeding its progress !

Worth a try to retard it and see if the cranking speed increases.

[Guess-Works.com]

Bad earth lead...

[GraemeC]

Will try the timing, but when it did fire it ran very well.

Earths are OK I think. When using jump leads I ran the earth direct to the engine (well clamped it on the braided earth strap).

[topcat]

Sorry to crash this but I have the exact same problem. I also changed the starter/solenoid (pre-engaged) but no joy. I have to keep trying and then occasionally it will crank fast enough to fire up. I have also checked everything mentioned. I'm sure its not the battery because if i keep trying it will crank fast. Would really like to sort this out. Thanks

Might try adding a second earth strap just to be sure.

Edited by topcat, 10 July 2006 - 11:30 AM.

[Dave the Rave]

Check the battery earth. Had this on mine. I had those crappy terminals which pop over the battery posts and are secured with a screw.

In the end i changed the terminals for ones that clamp around the battery posts if that makes sense.

[Gibbo]

On a similar vein to above, I had a similar problem, turned out to be that I had tightened the clamps on the battery finger tight but not spanner tight and it just wasn't contacting well enough. tightness really doe make a difference.

[jimbo_edmondo]

I have to go with Guessworks on this one had the problem before dodgy connection with the earth strap.

[GraemeC]

I'm confident it isn't an earth problem, as I said above the jump leads wwere effectively straight to the engine.

My money is still on the starter but I can't change it until this evening (once I robbed one form someone else!).

Keep the suggestions coming though! I will certainly be checking earthing and batery terminals as I have to get this fixed quickly - the car is at a show on Sunday!

[minipip]

feel free to kick me down but i had this problem when i first go my car, the main problem was my battery, but it happend after that, i canged my poaints and coil at the same time, hasnt done it since. just noticed u changed the coils, and the dizzy? well ur using a leccy dizzy you tried slapping good ol points on there as i know the electric dizzys seem not to cope with some coils.

you tried putting points on, BACK TO THE OLDSCHOOL!!! BLEA!!!!!! lol sorry bout that.
any ways ill quit babbiling
minipip out!

[topcat]

Well well well, who'da thought it. BAD EARTH IT WAS! After everyone saying it was an earth prob, I checked the earth strap which was in good order but the cluch cylinder bracket that it attaches to on the bulk head is so rusty, i guess it was'nt a good enough contact.

I put a second earth strap from the engine head to the front of the car (behind the grill, top rail) and I CANT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE! The starter motor turns so quickly now, plus my Air Fuel Ratio Gauge works much better (as the lambda sensor uses the exhaust/engine for an earth) and I dont get shocks of the LT side of the coil which should stop my coils burning out every 3 months! YAY! Tick over is also musch better and acceleration. Thanks every1 for shouting EARTH PROBLEM.... It finally got through.