She won't start....

[Vulture20]

Here's one for you all - car was running fine. We replaced the steering wheel and put a pipercross air filter on. Now it won't start. The first diagnosis was immobiliser transducer ring, so a new ECU without NATS was obtained from Ed. Still no joy, although it sounded more like it was trying to start. Eventually I gave in and called the AA. Persuaded him that the engine was still standard, and he eventually reckoned it was the engine temperature sensor. He disconnected it, and with a booster pack got it started after cranking for ages - loads of smoke at first then ran fine. He started it again a few mins later no problem. He left, I tried to start her 30 mins later - no joy.

So, do I trust him, or are there any other hints? Seems a huge co-incidence that a sensor fails when we do this work.....

Cheers
Jools

 

[getawaycar]

Loads of cranking and smoke then starting sounds like it was flooded.
Car is more likely to flood if spark plugs are fouled (Not changed for a while, only used for short journeys or not revved often enough)

Does the car turn over ok everytime? On Micras when you turn the key the fuel pump relay actuates but if you turn it off and straight back on the relay wont work. You have to give it 10 seconds or so between starting attempts. If the starter switch is on its way out you could be interrupting the starting without knowing.

What temp sensor did he disconnect? Surely a dodgy sensor would bring up a fault code? I know Vauxhall ones used to go faulty and not bring a code up but the only temp sensors I've ever had to change were the ones that control the temp gauge (which is a seperate sensor) I think this was the reasoning behind the AA guys actions.


Does your car have the red chip on the key. 2000 is the year they changed, isnt it? I was under the impression (from Ed) that his immobiliserless ecus will only work with pre coil pack cars (ones with the red chip, not blue chip)

I would try a new set of spark plugs before anything else. I would only change the temp sensor if it showed up as incorrect on the data list or brought up a fault code.

 

[Vulture20]

OK, I replaced the engine temperature sensor, and EVENTUALLY got her to start. Ran as rough as .......... a rough thing. After a 5 mile run? Sweet as anything. All sorted.

Cheers
Jools

 

[superls]

in future pull the fuel pump plug out, after cranking for a bit it will run then stop, replace the fuel pump fuse and it will start no problems

 

[Vulture20]

in future pull the fuel pump plug out, after cranking for a bit it will run then stop, replace the fuel pump fuse and it will start no problems

I found that out yesterday by accident! Don't know about "no problem" though... :laugh:

Cheers
Jools

 

[r-reg-sr]

do not touch accelerator pedal when starting k11 and k10 for that matter

 

[Vulture20]

do not touch accelerator pedal when starting k11 and k10 for that matter

Hehe - learned that yesterday as well! :wow:

Cheers
Jools