Won\'t start and I\'m out of ideas!

[Gatesy]

Right guys need some help here as I am at my wits end!!

Basically the car wont start I just get the starter motor turning over but the engine wont fire.

I initially thought that perhaps she was flooded so I took out the bottom spark plugs which were both bone dry.  While I had them out I decided to take the EGI fuse out and turn her over anyways in case there was fuel in there but nothing came out.

So its not flooded!

I replaced the EGI fuse and turned her over with the plugs out and got a reassuring set of regular wooshes with no gaps but no fuel came out of the plug holes even though I turned the car over for about 15-20 seconds although I did get a petrol smell.

Pluged everything back in but still not starting so I started pulling fuses out, all fine nothing blown.  

Thought perhaps fuel pump had died so I checked the voltage and thats all fine and due to the car being on a slanted driveway I\'m not to keen on getting underneath the car and disconnecting the fuel filter and turning her over to see if the pump is working.

Has anyone got any ideas of anything else I can check as I am out of ideas at the moment and I need the car running!

[exige]

I\'ve just had exactely the same problems, I ended up getting it towed....started straight away.
I tried everything you tried first.

[exige]

Must be the Welsh weather

[arrouk]

have you checked you are getting a spark on all 4 plugs?

If you have some try some fresh plugs.

to check fuel is getting through you could disconnect the pipe in the engine bay (on the bulkhead between the block and abs unit) but if it is working you will end up with fuel everywhere.

hth
Matt

[slingo]

Thought perhaps fuel pump had died so I checked the voltage and thats all fine and due to the car being on a slanted driveway I\'m not to keen on getting underneath the car and disconnecting the fuel filter and turning her over to see if the pump is working  
 
can you hear the fuel pump prime ? have you tried starting it on a flat surface,maybe the slanted drive is causing fuel starvation if you dont have much fuel

[slingo]

Thought perhaps fuel pump had died so I checked the voltage and thats all fine and due to the car being on a slanted driveway I\'m not to keen on getting underneath the car and disconnecting the fuel filter and turning her over to see if the pump is working
 
can you hear the fuel pump prime ? have you tried starting it on a flat surface,maybe the slanted drive is causing fuel starvation if you dont have much fuel

[gsb876]

fuel pump relay dude :Thumbs-up

[Gatesy]

Nope no sound of the fuel pump priming wheras it used to make a humming noise when the ignition was first turned on.

Think I will try disconnecting the fuel hose from the back of the bulkhead and turning her over briefly to see what happens.  

Although the cars on a driveway its pointing down the driveway and I have over 1/4 tank of fuel left in her and she\'s started when I\'ve had less in there.  I may try jacking her up until she\'s level and see if that makes any difference.

Going to order some spark plugs today.

Where\'s the fuel pump relay located?

Thanks for the responses guys I\'ll let you know how I get on.

[grinder]

what about pulling the fuel lines of the actual pump in the boot or is that dangerous - and then testing

you have narrowed it down to a fueling issue - so thats half the battle won

[leon]

You should beable to hear a hum from the fuel pump when you first turn the ignition on. Sure voltage may be getting to the fuelpump but it doe snot mean the pump is working.  I would have expected you to have wet plugs from all those cranks with no start, not bone dry!

There is however a small test you can do for the fuel pump. in the tech stickis there is mention of a two pins you short in the diagnostic box it bascialy pressurizes the fuel system by running the fuel pump. this will allow you to jump in the boot and listen for your fuelpump.

[steve garbutt]

With the plugs pulled and the fuel relay in youe should be able to smell fuel.
Prolly a good place to start then like matt says check your getting spark to all 4 plugs.

[Gatesy]

Cheers guys.  I sat in the boot and got the missus to arm the ignition last night and not a peep from the fuel pump so I am thinking that perhaps my fuel pump has died a death but I dont want to buy a brand new one, fit it and find that isn\'t my fault.

I have a plan!

Tonight if it doesn\'t rain to hard I\'m going to disconnect the fuel lines at the pump and put some plastic bags over the nozzles then crank the engine.  I may get fuel coming out but this should minimise the amount spraying over everything and if no fuel I have my culprit.

Wish me luck fingers crossed I wont incinerate myself!

[Archbish]

firstly, get a circuit tester and make sure you\'ve got current at the fuel pump when turning the key on.  A simple screwdriver-style one will cost only a couple of quid, and will be a good start.

If that doesn\'t show any charge, check the fuse box for starters, and then trace down the rest of the circuit.  This will be an easier first check before disconnecting and unscrewing every damned thing...!!

[Initial-D]

Check the two grey plugs in the engine bay by the passenger side headlight, maybe they have some water in them?

[Gatesy]

Already checked for voltage on the plug that goes directly into the pump and thats got a charge of about 3.9volts which is what it is reading on the apexi as well.

I\'ll check the gray plugs before I start unplugging hoses but its been very very dry lately so thinking its not water but you never know and the car was running fine after its MOT on monday only to not start on wednesday.