Hi guys, hopefully someone can help me.
I have a 1997 1.4 Brava that won't start.
When I turn the key the engine turns over fine, but it just doesn't seem to want to "catch" if you know what I mean.
I have tried pressing the accelerator fully and turning the key for about 30 seconds but still nothing.
Each of the plugs seems to be sparking fine.
Does this mean that it's the starter motor or is it merely the battery?
I have used the search facility but couldn't find anything to answer my question.
I had my gearbox replaced about a month ago if that has anything to do with it. This seems to have caused problems with other peoples starters in the past.

Do you have petrol in the car? Fuel pump maybe gone.

Starter motor is fine as it turns the engine over.

Do you have a spark from the spark plugs?

Yep fuel in tank (just over half on gauge, needle moves when key is turned). Spark at each plug.
When I depress accelerator and turn key (as original post) there is a strong smell of petrol.
When I turn key to first position I hear a hum and a click coming from the rear of the car. Would this be the fuel pump engaging?
Could I have a problem with my filter then?
All help greatly appreciated.

It does sound like the fuel isn't making it to the injectors. Check your filter etc for blockages.

after you've been trying to start the car, take a plug out and see if there's petrol on it, that will check whether fuel is actually getting to the cylinder.

is there any chance that the HT leads could be on the wrong plug, although I know some fiats have the coil pack above the plug, so it may not be possible to get them wrong??

how many miles has the car done? and is there any oil in the engine? I've seen a high mileage that had hardly any oil that wouldn't start because the bores were worn, and the lack of oil meant there was no compression!

even if it's not high mileage, and there oil, do you have a compression checker you could try?

Regards

Andy

fuel cut off?

fuel cut off thingy anyone???

under the passenger seat (was in the 1.8hlx) there is a rubber like button. If this has popped out then all you need to do is pop it back in and the fuel should no longer be cut off.

the button was the size of a 10p piece ish on my car.

It's something to check for.

Fuel cut off switch
Does the key code light go out ???
Is any pertol getting to the engine (filter blocked)???


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Yeah reasonably high mileage (73K) Will check the oil level.
Key code light goes out.
Will have a look at fuel cutoff and filter this weekend.
Don't have a compression tester I might know someone who does though.
Fingers crossed it's not the bore.
Seriously, thanks for all the help I generally tend to "lurk" as I don't know a huge amount about cars, but this site (and my Haynes) has given me the courage to try, which has saved me a heap of cash, not to mention the grief of dealing with garages.
I think after this I'll be sending off my pennies and becoming an official member of BOO.
I'm not a modder, just someone that likes my Fiat and wants to keep it running

I know nothing either! Thats how I started here. Lurked around for a whilethen had a problem. I still know nothing but run the joint nowadays