1.4 wont start

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1.4 wont start

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paul oneill

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wonder if anyone can help my car has bin sat on the drive for a weak or so and now it wont start. it`s got a brand new battery and when i try to start me car it just turns over an over then pops and a bit of smoke comes from were the injector is any idears?
 
With it sitting for a while, it could have lost the spark due to dampness. It might be an idea to check if you are getting fuel to the cylinders as well.
 
Start the engine then loosen off your plug leads,one at a time, at the plug end . Don't move the lead away from the plug or you will probably get a shock. You just need to move the lead enough so that there is a small gap between the end of the lead and the plug. If you are getting a spark, you will hear a popping noise as the spark jumps the gap from lead to plug.

Or you can buy a cheap set of plastic inserts from Halfords that go between the spark plug and the HT lead. They let you see if you are getting a spark or not.

As for fuel, turn the engine over on the key and then take out your plugs. If you are getting fuel, they should be wet.
 
Sorry Paul, I forgot for a moment that you can't start the car!!!!

If it is the electrics being affected by damp, the best thing you can do is remove all leads (not at the same time) from the engine/coil and make sure that they are completely dry. When you have done that give everything a good spray WD40 to help disperse any other moisture.
 
is the key code light going off as usual?

i agree with Alex, when you leave a car for a week it is not uncommon for it to get damp on the ignition components preventing it from firing up. a quick squirt or wd40 on each end of each HT lead (quirt the copper connectors) will often sort it out.


failing that you should remove a plug and check if it sparks when trying to start the car (while plug is connected to HT lead and touching engine for earth). no spark means you need to investigate why.

one possiblity that isnt uncommon in this situation is the earth strap. if the engine isnt used for a week the earth strap can remain damp for long enough to rust (especially at each end where it bolts on), and rust increases the resistance of the earth strap, preventing sufficient sparking at the plugs. try earthing the engine seperately using a good thick wire direct from the engine to the chassis, if it then starts you know the earth strap is the problem.

another thing to consider is battery drain. even a new battery can be drained over the course of a week, many cars constantly drain their battery, but this isnt a problem during normal use, however a week of drain can leave the battery with enough amps to turn the starter motor (often more slowly than usual) but not enough amps to turn the starter motor and fire the plugs. if the car bump or jump starts it would suggest this is the problem.
 
thanks alexw

thanks alexw i recharged the battery took off the ht leads cleaned rhem then sprayed them with wd40 and after three turn overs it fired up thanks m8
 

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