car won't start
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 7
car won't start
On Saturday I took aride out to Jersey for the Grand-Am race at NJMP. The trip down was uneventful, when I decided to leave about 5 hours later the car started and then immediately stalled.
After repeated attempts at starting the car with no success I asked some guys to give me a push start. The first two attempts did not work but on the third try it started.
I drove it most of the way home with no dramas until about a mile and a half from my house it stalled while waiting for a light and would not start again.
I called a tow truck and he dropped the car at my house and we pushed it into the garage until I could have a look at it.
I have determined that it is not a fuel pump issue, the engine cranks but will not start. It seems as if it is a lack of spark problem.
Can someone suggest the probable causes that could be preventing the car from starting and in what order I should be going to determine the cause of the problem.
After repeated attempts at starting the car with no success I asked some guys to give me a push start. The first two attempts did not work but on the third try it started.
I drove it most of the way home with no dramas until about a mile and a half from my house it stalled while waiting for a light and would not start again.
I called a tow truck and he dropped the car at my house and we pushed it into the garage until I could have a look at it.
I have determined that it is not a fuel pump issue, the engine cranks but will not start. It seems as if it is a lack of spark problem.
Can someone suggest the probable causes that could be preventing the car from starting and in what order I should be going to determine the cause of the problem.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 7
I changed the cap, rotor, and coil today and it still would not start. I pulled the coil wire off the cap and had someone crank the engine to see if there was any spark but there was none.
I am beginning to think it maybe the CDI box, is there away of testing it to see if it is working or not? Thanks.
I am beginning to think it maybe the CDI box, is there away of testing it to see if it is working or not? Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC Canada
This could be an intermittant problem with your ignition delay relay. This relay controls power supply to your CDI. To test this, remove the relay and jumper out pins 30 and L on the socket this will ensure that power will get to your CDI with the ignition on.
check out my thread on Pelican - post #10
good luck!
check out my thread on Pelican - post #10
good luck!
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
From: England UK
I changed the cap, rotor, and coil today and it still would not start. I pulled the coil wire off the cap and had someone crank the engine to see if there was any spark but there was none.
I am beginning to think it maybe the CDI box, is there away of testing it to see if it is working or not? Thanks.
I am beginning to think it maybe the CDI box, is there away of testing it to see if it is working or not? Thanks.
This should help. There are also some figures in the manual if this doesn't help you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 763
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
Sounds like the CDI box to me. My car suffered from the same problem a few years ago. It would run fine for a while, and then without warning it would shut off just like if someone had removed the key...
Eventually the problem got progressively worse. I would definitely check out the CDI unit...
Keep us posted...
Eventually the problem got progressively worse. I would definitely check out the CDI unit...
Keep us posted...
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 520
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When I try to take readings at the coil and at the cdi plug, should I be taking them with the key in the on or off position or while someone is cranking the engine. I am not sure on the procedure for testing.
Also, I was reading in the workshop manuals that if there is a problem with the tach this could be preventing the car from starting. Does anyone have any info on this last part? Thanks . I will be troubleshooting on Saturday.
Also, I was reading in the workshop manuals that if there is a problem with the tach this could be preventing the car from starting. Does anyone have any info on this last part? Thanks . I will be troubleshooting on Saturday.
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
From: England UK
f you are referring to my readings I posted for you then you certainly don't need the keys! Unplug the CDI and take readings with an ohmmeter.
You would only need the ignition on if you were checking the voltages which is not a good idea with ignition.
Try unplugging the tach, I've heard this can cause the car not to start. If it starts it has been said the tach is at fault. I think it has some kind of diode in it.
You would only need the ignition on if you were checking the voltages which is not a good idea with ignition.
Try unplugging the tach, I've heard this can cause the car not to start. If it starts it has been said the tach is at fault. I think it has some kind of diode in it.