Brava 1.6 Just will not start HELP!

[tigershoot]

Hi

I have been using my Brava a lot lately and it has been fine apart from the other week when we replaced the alternator and put a new battery in. I have not used it for the last week though and today (damp indeed!) I went to start it and the starter motor spins well but the car makes no attempt to fire. It's not like you can hear it spluttering or anything - it's just the sound of the engine turning over.

What should I check? I even tried using the red key but that made no difference.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Ash]

try presing the fuel cutoff reset switch on a mk1 its under the passenger seat on the mk2 its in the passenger foot well

 

[tigershoot]

Brava won't start

Hi

thanks for your help. I have pressed it but the car still does not start - there's half a tank of fuel onboard.

After pressing it how long should I keep trying on the starter. I gave up after about 10 seconds.

Thanks

 

[Sven]

Did you check if there is a spark ?
Is the engine turning or you just hear the sound of the starter motor ?

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[tigershoot]

This may sound daft - is the only way to check if there is a spark to take the plug out and still have it connected to the HT lead?

I am pretty sure the engine is spinning. I'll go out and check now

 

[Sven]

Well yep, you have to take out the spark plug and put it in the HT lead and put the electrode somevare on the engine so it has mass - turn the key and wach if there is a spark.

Use some pliers to hold it, so you dont get a shock if holding wrong

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[tigershoot]

Hi

I have checked it - the engine spins as I can let in the clutch and the car moves.

I haven't got the correct tools to get the spark plugs out. I'll have to get them and then check. Assuming there is a spark then what could it be? The fuel pump dead??

 

[Sven]

You should hear the pump woeking when you turn the key to MAR, try hitting the pump gently a few times if there is no spark.

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[tigershoot]

Hi

we have left it for an hour to dry out - put new plugs in and it just won't start - doesn't even come near. On pulling the plugs back out they are covered in petrol.

Any ideas folks. Petrol - spark but no vroom!

 

[Tom]

Has it started since you changed the batt and the alt?

 

[Sven]

If they are covered in petrol, there isnt no spark or its too weak to ignite.

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[Tom]

Or its flooded.

Put the throttle to the floor and crank it for about 30 seconds.

 

[tigershoot]

Yes - I had it running for two weeks or so after the batt. and alt. were changed. It do 160 miles a day in it. Last week though I didn't use it. And now it just won't start. My mechanic in-law has looked at the spark and says it's very good.

We did try and run it for about 15 secs and it the sound of it spinning is constant - i.e. it's not like its trying to start - it's just spinning away.

 

[Tom]

Put the throttle to the floor and crank it for about 30 seconds.

 

[Richard]

Could be the fuel pump..

 

[tigershoot]

Hi

If it were the fuel pump surely we shouldn't be seeing fuel injected in - which, when we try to start it with no plugs in, we can clearly see. The petrol puffs out.

Thanks.

 

[Tom]

Last time:

Put the throttle to the floor and crank it for about 30 seconds.

 

[tigershoot]

Hi Tom

I have just tried this. At about the 40sec stage the car was trying to start but only just. It still would not start though and I kept it going to 60 secs and gave up. This was with another car attached by jump leads with that car giving it welly on the throttle.

We waited another ten mins and tried again but after an initial attempt by the car to start it got nowhere. I am going to have to leave for a few days as I work away. I will attempt it again on Friday. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tom]

You've gotta keep cranking and keep the throttle FULL open. Its flooding and you need to clear it.

 

[Dave]

If you leave the car for 30mins you shouldn't need to use the throttle, the flooding should clear itself.

Are the HT leads good?
Dave