Oh dear!
So, it's cranking over but not even trying to fire up?
Which model?
'They' always say not to check electronic ignition by 'sparking', but I still do. I pull out the coil wire from the distributor cap, push in a large screwdriver, and arrange to rest somewhere near the engine (e.g. on the cam cover). There should be quite a big spark jumping up to 15mm or so.
If no spark here, get a 12v test light and verify that the ignition coil has +12v at the terminal with the orange wires with the ignition key switched on (if not, then suspect ignition switch). Then connect test light to other terminal (green wires) and see if light flickers with engine cranking over (if so, maybe the coil is faulty assuming HT leads are good). If not, then check two wire connection (red/green) to distributor. Take off distributor cap and verify that distributor is turning (may have broken cambelt etc...) Next, take off finned module from side of distributor and try exchanging, or swap whole distributor (quite easy on FIRE engine).
If you do have sparks, then the only other requirement is fuel... after quite a bit of cranking with the choke on, the spark plugs should become wet with petrol. If not, then take fuel line off carburettor and briefly crank engine to check that fuel comes out - should be heaps of fuel there if fuel pump/filter/tank OK. Any faults in carburettor (e.g. blocked idle jet, choke not working) shouldn't matter for the purpose of starting the engine - a few pumps on the accelerator should squirt in enough petrol for any starting need.
In my experience it's more likely to be ignition than fuel related... and that finned electronic module is a likely suspect, or the pickup wires inside the distributor that tend to fray and lose their insulation.
Sorry to hear that you had to call in the services of a garage (maybe next time, eh?
) but let us know what it was anyway.
Thanks,
-Alex
