PLEAES HELP Engine will not start!

[CHRIS WARD]

My car is 1992 se turbo in brg with 39k miles on the clock

I have owned the car for two completely trouble free years and it lives up to all my expectations. As I intend to keep the car forever I have started a few tidying up jobs.

The winter’s project was to refurbish the front and rear suspension including brakes.

The job went well and so at the same time I gave the cooling fans the`once over` and cleaned up, painted and treated the chassis with Dinitrol.

The front track control arms were ok but the rear wishbones were ify and so new ones have been fitted

The callipers have been overhauled and s/s flex hoses fitted.

Now comes my problem.

After charging up the battery, I can’t get the engine to start.

My other Lotus is a 1974 Plus 2 which I have owned for 25 years and which has been totally rebuilt over this time.

This technology is easy, just some petrol, a spark and some compression and it will always run but the M100 is just a little more complex!

When I turn on the ignition I don’t hear the fuel pump running, To check for HT I removed a spark plug and turned the engine – no spark. I have checked the safety inertia switch and also looked where I may have disturbed any electrical connections.

Can someone point me in the right direction please!

On one of my early visit to the site I was able to download the Service notes which have been very useful.

Are there similar notes for electrical systems ( wiring diagrams and maybe some explanation text) which I can obtain.

I know my problem will be something simple and probably something I have done.

Thanks.

NB --- I said two years trouble free – not quite – I have had to repair both window winding mechs.

[johnbenk]

Hi

Daft question. Any smell of petrol from a flooded engine, Are the plugs wet after trying to "fire up".

No sound from pump could be no petrol getting to the engine. Try this area first. Also if no spark at plugs could pin point 2 problems fuel and spark. Is fuse for ECU OK.?

[paza1]

Alarm and/or immobiliser fitted?

[Candles]

The relays under the dashboard binnacle cover control the power to the ECU. Have you fiddled with these in the rebuild?

[CHRIS WARD]

Thanks for your replys!

The engine started after fitting a new battery, the old one had a faulty cell when it was tested.

However, I now have a missfire.

When the missfire occurs the fuel pump relay "chatters" also at the same time the engine check light flashes.

I checked for stored alarms using ALDL, however, no alarms were stored.

Sometimes when switching on the ignition the engine check light does not come on as it should.

I think I will need the electrical documents:

!) F082T0327J
2) C100T0327J

Can someone please advise me how to download these.

I do suspect the alarm, which is a after market unit. The associated wiring is like a "rats nest" and is very suspect.

Maybe I will have to call in an auto electrician, therefore, the electrical documents are essential.

Thanks for your help!

Chris

PS. Summer is here in the UK I NEED to get this car on the road QUICKLY!!

[GeoffSmith]

If you go into the "Manuals" area, you can fill in your details and Sy will provide you with access details. All 95 pages of the electrical manual (including wiring diagrams) are there along with a host of other useful information.

I had a chattering relay, intermittent warning light and misfire when I was trying to change from a chipped ECU to an original (but screwed up on the MEMCAL EPROM ). Geoffs MEMCAL saga! Hope you get it fixed soon as the rain has just gone and the sun has come out.

Geoff

[CHRIS WARD]

Thanks for the advice re the manuals.

The misfire developed into a `none run` situation.

By using the supplies and earth location drawings I was able to pinpoint the fault to a high resistance earth connection on the inlet manifold. One of the three cables at this earth point is the earth for the ECM.

After cleaning the connections and tightening the 6mm bolt the problem was cured.

Once again thanks for your help.

Chris

[Candles]

Well done for fixing it Chris.

I had this issue (post an engine refit) and it took me ages to find. I only just read this thread unfortunately but I would recommend anyone having any kind of ECU trouble to check all the earths first as it is quite easy to do and the problem is hard to trace otherwise.

Candles.

[John_W]

... I was able to pinpoint the fault to a high resistance earth connection on the inlet manifold. One of the three cables at this earth point is the earth for the ECM.

After cleaning the connections and tightening the 6mm bolt the problem was cured.

Chris,
That's good news.

Your problem sounds like the same earth with which Candles had a problem last year when he replaced his engine and gearbox. It took him a while to identify the cause.

John