Starting Issue

[PUGPIRATE 0]

Hi everyone,

 

My 205 Gentry is generally pretty reliable, but has today decided to play up. The starter is turning and there is is plenty of juice in the battery, but the car simply won't start. I briefly experienced the same problem in a supermarket car park the other day ( the last time I used it) but it eventually started and got me home.

 

Today I have not been so lucky - though I suppose I should be glad that it happened at home rather than at work or at the shops!

 

I initially checked the fuel pump which is receiving just 10.5 volts during cranking and consequently isn't supplying any fuel. When I observed this fact I figured that the fuel pump was knackered. I subsequently tested it by wiring it up directly to the battery and was gratified to hear it the pump working. However, even though I kept the pump 'live' when I again turned the ignition key there was still no joy from the engine.

 

I can't think of anything else to try. What should my next step be? I haven't done any work on the car for several months, so I'm unsure where to start. However, some ignoramus did smash one of my indicators when parking the other day. Might this have possible shorted something out? It seems unlikely to me, but I may as well provide all the detail that I can!

 

Thanks for your anticipated help.

[steve@cornwall 100]

I don't suppose.................

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...=108456&hl=

[PUGPIRATE 0]

I don't suppose.................

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...=108456&hl=

Thanks, but the problem with that chap's diesel vehicle doesn't seem particularly applicable in this case as it effectively refers to having no fuel in the tank which is definitely not the case in this instance.......

Edited August 10, 2009 by PUGPIRATE

[steve@cornwall 100]

Thanks, but the problem with that chap's diesel vehicle doesn't seem particularly applicable in this case as it effectively refers to having no fuel in the tank which is definitely not the case in this instance.......

 

Well, you never know! do you have fuel at the inj. rail? and if so, are the injectors firing it to the cylinders?

[PUGPIRATE 0]

Well, you never know! do you have fuel at the inj. rail? and if so, are the injectors firing it to the cylinders?

 

I haven't checked these, but I will do so tomorrow. It seems to me that the lack of proper voltage to the pump would tend to suggest an electrical/ignition fault, but I will do as you suggest. There's definitely well over half a tank of petrol. I'll check the rail tomorrow. Presumably I can check the rail by simply unscrewing one of the junction nuts?

 

How would I test the injectors?

[steve@cornwall 100]

I haven't checked these, but I will do so tomorrow. It seems to me that the lack of proper voltage to the pump would tend to suggest an electrical/ignition fault, but I will do as you suggest. There's definitely well over half a tank of petrol. I'll check the rail tomorrow. Presumably I can check the rail by simply unscrewing one of the junction nuts?

 

How would I test the injectors?

 

 

I usually crack the fuel union on the rail ( as normal, beware pressurised fuel) and crank a couple of times with the pipe in a fuel can to check fuel is reaching the rail. To check the injectors are firing , if you have fuel delivered to the rail, take the rail off complete with injectors and position so the injectors fire into the cylinder - with a couple inches gap between injector and head. You will see the fuel spray if it's working properly

[PUGPIRATE 0]

I usually crack the fuel union on the rail ( as normal, beware pressurised fuel) and crank a couple of times with the pipe in a fuel can to check fuel is reaching the rail. To check the injectors are firing , if you have fuel delivered to the rail, take the rail off complete with injectors and position so the injectors fire into the cylinder - with a couple inches gap between injector and head. You will see the fuel spray if it's working properly

 

I'll do that. But if the fuel pump isn't actually pumping any fuel in the first place for the aforementioned reasons, isn't it a waste of time?

[PUGPIRATE 0]

Despite again refusing to start first time today, I am pleased to say that I managed to get it going by pumping the gas a few times which seemed to do the trick. I'm pleased that its driving again, though I'm a little disconcerted by the lack of knowledge as to what caused the problem in the first place!

[billybluesky 1]

sounds like the taachymetric relay to me the one under the dash left hand side

[PUGPIRATE 0]

sounds like the taachymetric relay to me the one under the dash left hand side

I'm inclined to agree with you. That seems most likely. I'll get hold of a spare - just in case!

[u47sb2 27 2 Cars]

I'm inclined to agree with you. That seems most likely. I'll get hold of a spare - just in case!

 

Another vote for that relay! It's either beside the ECU or in early cars is located in a plastic box under/near the battery tray