Intermittent starting after replacing Head Gasket

[rmsmall]

My complements on the forum. I blew the head gasket on my m100 a few years ago so the car wasn't running and I didn't pay attention to what was going on. Big happy surprise when my wife and kids finally forced me to get on fixing the Elan.

I removed the head and replaced the gasket and carefully (I think) reconnected everything. When I first tried to start it, the engine did not turn over so I checked the connections again by carefull pressing and jiggling every connector I could find. To my joy, it started.

I then made some adjustments that required unplugging the spark plug wires from the plugs (not anyplace else) and now it won't start again even after repeated efforts to make sure all was connected properly. Twice it has given a little jot like the starter tried to turn over but stopped after 1/2 second. It is like the clutch safety is not working but I checked this and it seems OK.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Bob Small
Hudson, OH USA

[clemo]

if its that quick it could be any numbe of things ..
here will follow a long list from others but:-

have you checked the innertia switch by the battery. pull up little knob in compartment. (its in case of impact it stops the car from working)
lift it ...
fuel ? i guess you can hear the wizz of the fuel pump turning?
is the fuel new?
on the bulk head there is a big black module. give that a quick spray with wd40 that sometimes goes dry jointed in there.

these i guess bits you won't have fiddled with..

as for the rest ... best of luck! as long as it came of and has gone back in the right place! wiggle it , and again
can you run a diagnostic or paperclip test (look on the wiki)

hope this is of use to you.
others will be along soon

oh and WELCOME BACK!

clemo

[clemo]

go for innertia switch 1st...
sounds like the symptoms...

[Monty]

with Clemo,

When you 1st turn on the ignition lights can you hear the fuel pump?

Did you put back all the earth leads, ie the ones near the alternator and the one on the coil pack?

Did the belt go on correctly, ie bottom pulley at TDC and the cams at there correct marks?

You talk about the starter, is the engine turning over ok but just won`t kick in to life?

[rmsmall]

I don't hear the fuel pump when it does not turn over. There is a whir from the dash (I think my Alpine) but the fuel pump in the back, right? All guages come on.

The Interia switch seems down but nothing happened when I flipped it up so I'll take it out today and test. It's behind the drivers seat in LHD cars so its takes a while to get out.

Next step is basically unplugging everything and reconnecting. If that does not work then I'll do an elanscan when the connector I ordered gets in.

Let me know if there is anything else to try.

[rmsmall]

More information: Engine does not turn over. It had this problem in the morning and it turned over and start after I jiggled a few connectors but I did more work and could not get it to turn over. Everything comes on but I can't hear the fuel pump running so if there is a specific connector that charges the fuel pump and starter, let me know.

[rmsmall]

Problem solved. Monty gets it with earth lead from the starter which I didn't tighten.

On to the next adventure.

[Monty]

Problem solved. Monty gets it with earth lead from the starter which I didn't tighten.

On to the next adventure.

Glad you got it sorted

[clemo]

excellent news..
well done to monty internet diagnostics at its best...

glad you got it sorted .. was racking my brain as to what else it could be....

enjoy the ride...