Just won’t start

[Dirk Fantastic]

Hi All, I have a 95 GQ Wagon that will crank but not fire. It had reconditioned injectors fitted a few months ago. Spark plugs, leads and dizzy cap are about 6 months old, cleaned air flow meter and fitted pod filter 2 weeks ago, have just run injector cleaner through, rotor button appears ok, crank angle sensor replaced 4 weeks ago and ignition coil replaced Friday. It has pulse to the injectors and a strong spark but even with start ya bastard it isn’t firing??? It had been running a bit rough and a bit underpowered as well as idling a bit average at times hovering between 200 and 400 rpm, I drove it to work Wednesday and it just wouldn’t start that night???

[mudnut]

How does the starter sound when cranking the engine? Have you cleaned and tightened the battery and starter motor terminals and connectors?

Being an old engine it will need every ounce of cranking power to start.

[Dhuck]

Check the single earth wire to the exterior of the dizzie. Mine looked connected but was not and had a similar issue.

[Dirk Fantastic]

It sounds ok. Had mechanic have a look an we have tested for spark which is strong. It has gotten progressively harder to start over recent weeks. It was dual fuel until recently where an electrical issue meant the LPG was bypassed. Always ran better on LPG. Idle has been hit and miss and feels underpowered at times. One day will run completely fine and the next will struggle to get to 80kmh. Any suggestions appreciated. Cheers

[mudnut]

Maybe a timing issue. Is the adjustment bolt tight? Have you tried adjusting the timing?

[Dirk Fantastic]

Have had mechanic check timing. Adjusted and no success. Filled it with aero start and still no joy. Seems to have everything it needs to start but just doesn’t want to fire. Thinking electrical problem now?

[mudski]

Is there fuel getting to the injectors? What was the last thing you did to the motor when all this started to happen?

[mudnut]

Try squirting just a smidge of oil in the cylinders and turn it over with the spark plugs out. Replace the plugs and try starting it. I've had an engine not start because the fuel had washed all of the oil from the bores which lowered the compression.

[MB]

Haven’t owned a petrol car in a few decades but do seem to nuffy myself remember needing to pull a plug lead off and shoving a screwdriver up there and nearing its steel to an earth. Blue cranking spark was healthy working and their colour tones way down to weak orange seemed to signify issues to continue tracing further back.

EDIT: Apologies mate, re-read just now, your mechanic says strong spark?
Clearly has to be fuel and or that damn modern aged techy add ons :-(

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[Avo]

Ok I read this last night n thought about it I had a similar problem.once with my vl,for the life of me I couldnt get it going,turned out that the battery did not have enough volts,the injectors need the correct voltage to open,

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[Dirk Fantastic]

Thanks heaps for that. I’ll have a look at that in the morning. Cheers

[Dirk Fantastic]

Thank you all for your advice. Waiting for compression test result and will go from there. If compression is ok it will be off to auto electrician tomorrow.

[Avo]

Thank you all for your advice. Waiting for compression test result and will go from there. If compression is ok it will be off to auto electrician tomorrow.Be good to know what you find,might help others out also in the future

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[Dirk Fantastic]

The old girl has heaps of compression and even ran for a brief period. Off to the auto leccy’s next week so hopefully it’s an easy fix 👍

[Dirk Fantastic]

Hi All, it’s turned out to be an intermittent fault with fuel pump. Would be running fine and then when came back to start wouldn’t start. Had low resistance at fuel pump when this happened. Give the fuel tank a whack and it came good. Have replaced fuel pump and running ok. Still have an issue at idle when warm. Idles fine cold/warming up but when warm idles at 600rpm but will drop and sit between 200-400rpm. Doesn’t stall and will pop back up to 600 occasionally. Low fuel pressure at idle has been suggested? Cheers