Technical Starting problems

[Mart_Sei]

This is a pm I sent to Ming since I bought an alternator off him. Posting on here for extra help if possible.

"Hey I changed the alternator tonight but my car doesn't start now! It's not firing at all. It used to do this but worked after a couple of go's. Any help please?

The alternator I took out is 65A, and I believe the one I put in is less... could that be something to do with it?"

 

[rallycinq]

Nothing to do with it.

Describe 'not starting'

Does the car turn over?

At normal speed?

Slower?

Does the pump prime?

Cheers

D

 

[ycming]

I'll replied already . As rallycinq said, starting the car has nothing to do with the alternator.

Ming

 

[fingers99]

Likewise. Neither is fitting an alternator a cure for starting problems.

Until the OP responds to rallycinq's questions, I'd just hazard a guess that one of the connections hasn't been re-made correctly.

 

[Mart_Sei]

I didn't fit it to cure starting problems and I suspected it had nowt to do with the alternator but I do suspect it has something to do with the way i've fitted it maybe.

It tries to start as normal and keeps turning over for as long as you keep the key turned, but obviously never does spark up. I am changing the fuel filter in a couple of days time when I get the part. What's the chances of a blockage causing this?

 

[fingers99]

It tries to start as normal and keeps turning over for as long as you keep the key turned, but obviously never does spark up. I am changing the fuel filter in a couple of days time when I get the part. What's the chances of a blockage causing this?

Unlikely, although changing is a good idea anyway. In the meantime, check for spark and fuel. It's also worthwhile trying to start at night to see if there are any blue or yellow flashes to indicate bad connections (HT or otherwise).

 

[rallycinq]

Is the pump priming?

Cheers

D

 

[Mart_Sei]

Is the pump priming?

Cheers

D

Sorry, what does that mean?

 

[Mart_Sei]

Have checked HT leads - fine.

Spark plugs - cleaned them only a couple of weeks ago.

Battery/alternator etc (what I was messing with) - all wired up correctly.

 

[fingers99]

Do what we say, man!

Is the pump priming?

On the first click of the key you should hear a whining noise which then stops. This is the fuel pump priming. If you don't, points to fuel relay.

Are there sparks? Not, have you cleaned the plugs, not do the leads look pretty.

Is fuel getting to the cylinders? When it doesn't start, are the plugs wet?

 

[Mart_Sei]

Do what we say, man!

Is the pump priming?

On the first click of the key you should hear a whining noise which then stops. This is the fuel pump priming. If you don't, points to fuel relay.

Are there sparks? Not, have you cleaned the plugs, not do the leads look pretty.

Is fuel getting to the cylinders? When it doesn't start, are the plugs wet?

Well I can't do what you say, man! If I don't know what 'pump priming' means. I thought i'd add the extra info while I waited for an answer.

I take it you mean turn the key to 'MAR'? I did that and there's no noise. What do I need to go about doing to fix this then?

There aren't any sparks.

I haven't had time to check if they're wet yet but i'll let you know as soon as I do.

 

[randomizered]

When changing the alternator, did you remove the large pulley that the belt goes over? If you disturbed the sensor, or put it back on without observing the little locating key, it won't run.

Kristian

 

[fingers99]

I'll wait till you've tried to start and pulled a plug, but if the plug is dry and no spark from plug, it'll be the crank sensor.

 

[Mart_Sei]

I just took the alternator off and left the belt hanging cos I didn't want to mess with the sensor. Then I stretched it back round once I put the other one on.

My belt snapped on New Year's Day and I had my dad's mate, who's a Vauxhall mechanic, replace it for me. Some pin holding the crank sensor in place snapped (i think) and he put it back on with one of those plastic tie things. It was fine for a few weeks but it's pretty much since then i've been having problems with the engine cutting out at low speeds.

I think you guys have solved the problem now like (but I will check for wetness tomorrow) so how much is it going to cost me to sort out the sensor and what do I need to do?

Many thanks.

 

[randomizered]

Hard to tell which part actually broke. Got a picture?

Kristian

 

[fingers99]

They don't cost a lot. Your FIAT dealer should have one in stock (or, at worse, be able to get one the next day). Just unclip the old one, unplug it and fit the new one in reverse. With a tiny bit of luck the car will be like new!

But check the plug for wet first: let it crank 3 or 4 times.

If it was sparking I'd go with the fuel pump relay, but no spark and dry plugs is a sure sign of no signal from the crank sensor.

 

[Mart_Sei]

Hard to tell which part actually broke. Got a picture?

Kristian

You mean a picture of the crank sensor area? I can get one in the morning.

okay fingers, i'll try the plugs tomorrow but there's definately no sparks. cheers.

 

[Mart_Sei]

okay fingers, i'll try the plugs tomorrow

Lol, embarrasingly I don't have a socket bit with a deep enough hole to get the spark plug off. I'll buy some.

HOWEVER, I tried the MAR thing again and did hear a short whining noise. It is extremely quiet and lasts about 1-2 seconds at most. Is this the pump priming?

 

[fingers99]

Yes, that'll be the pump.

 

[Mart_Sei]

Would that indicate the problem as not being the crank sensor?