Topic: 91 c20xe won't start (Read 819 times)

Badger · « **on:** September 05, 2010, 04:57:53 AM »

hi all,

well i have recently pulled my finger and some savings ($4000 aud) out to book my cali in to get a fresh coat of paint and after getting some quotes on friday i found a bloke that i was happy with and was told to drop her off on saturday (yesterday)

BUT after driving her home and letting her sit for around 30mins she refused to start............

SYMPTOMS: no power to starter motor
would not idle from roll start unless i rev'ed her for a bit
buzzing noise from fuel pump relay (replaced it around 6 months ago)
^^ almost sounds like it's arking out ^^
oil pressure light seems to be flashing when i try to start it
a small black relay clicks when i try to start her

so far i have replaced the starter motor with the one out of my donor car (didn't work), replaced the small black relay from the one out of my donor (didn't work), tested my old starter motor (works fine) and checked my earths near the battery

can anyone else give me any hints/tips?

cheers,
Daniel

callum · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2010, 05:38:56 AM »

Is your engine management light on at any point?

If so it might be worth dong the paperclip test.

So is the car actually cranking? If not it could only be starter motor or battery or earths.

Badger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2010, 06:15:48 AM »

tried the paperclip test after roll starting it and only code i got was 12 (inital start-up) and no the engine is not cranking.

is there a relay or fuse that runs the starter?

the only thing i can think of is to trace all wiring for the starter and clean all conections

Bart · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2010, 09:21:02 AM »

Measure the small + with a volt meter on your startermotor when somebody else turns the key. I guess it get's no power, so it should either be in a relay or wiring.

Mr Spoon 73 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2010, 09:50:01 AM »

Could be a long shot, (but its happened to me a couple of times with older Cav's) and its the actual ignition unit on the barrel melting down, so when you turn the key, no contact is made so not sending any current to the starter. Pop the cowling off, you'll see where all the ignition wires meet, test with a voltmeter or a 12v bulb to see if there's power there.

Badger · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2010, 10:04:55 AM »

yeah i've pulled the little part on the back of the ignition with the grub screws off and tried the one out of my donor and that didn't change anything so i pulled the one out of my vp ute as it's the same and still no change.

Trigger · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2010, 10:06:28 AM »

Have you checked the alternator is working 100%?

Badger · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2010, 10:46:04 AM »

would that affect the starter motor?
should the fuel pump relay be making a buzzing sound?
and does anyone know which relay is for the starter motor/ignition?

Trigger · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2010, 10:52:03 AM »

Quote from: Badger on September 05, 2010, 10:46:04 AM

would that affect the starter motor?
should the fuel pump relay be making a buzzing sound?
and does anyone know which relay is for the starter motor/ignition?

From the array of different electrical problems you seem to be experiencing I think it could point to a knackered alternator, all sorts of strange electrical things have happened when I've had alternators go on me. If you can get to a tyre and battery place they are easy to check (if nothing else at least it would rule it out)

Bart · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2010, 12:13:40 PM »

Quote from: Badger on September 05, 2010, 10:46:04 AM

would that affect the starter motor?
should the fuel pump relay be making a buzzing sound?
and does anyone know which relay is for the starter motor/ignition?

Only a click to engage, no buzzing sounds !

Badger · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2010, 21:04:13 PM »

only a click from a relay under the dash and a buzzing sound from the fuel pump relay under the hood, but i have noticed that the oil pressure light is flickering when the fuel pump relay is buzzing

ALZ1307 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2010, 21:08:05 PM »

Quote from: Trigger on September 05, 2010, 10:52:03 AM

From the array of different electrical problems you seem to be experiencing I think it could point to a knackered alternator, all sorts of strange electrical things have happened when I've had alternators go on me. If you can get to a tyre and battery place they are easy to check (if nothing else at least it would rule it out)

+1

All manner of wierd sh*t was going on with the Clio, didn't even think of the alternator un till it gave it up altogether one night, had it tested, over charging and sending everything nuts, new alternator and sweet as now

Bart · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2010, 21:51:30 PM »

If it's the alternator, at least the starter motor should crank the car, when you place a fully charged battery...

ALZ1307 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2010, 21:59:29 PM »

Quote from: Bart on September 05, 2010, 21:51:30 PM

If it's the alternator, at least the starter motor should crank the car, when you place a fully charged battery...

This is true, but it wouldn't take the alternator out of the equation would it

Bovva · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2010, 22:04:54 PM »

Alternator

Bart · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2010, 22:10:36 PM »

Quote from: ALZ1307 on September 05, 2010, 21:59:29 PM

This is true, but it wouldn't take the alternator out of the equation would it

True ! But if he tries some simple test, like putting a good batter in it, and try cranking it over, if it does, he surely knows it's his alternator

ALZ1307 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 05, 2010, 22:15:10 PM »

Quote from: Bart on September 05, 2010, 22:10:36 PM

True ! But if he tries some simple test, like putting a good batter in it, and try cranking it over, if it does, he surely knows it's his alternator

This is true actually!

Badger · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2010, 00:24:35 AM »

tried the battery out of my ute, my fathers hilux surf and i'm charging mine at the moment.
the worst part is that i'm at work and the rain has finally stopped

Mr Spoon 73 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2010, 08:39:15 AM »

Sounds to me more like an earthing issue if the relay is clicking its head off, its pulsing from either being overloaded with current, or getting live through an earth (or vice versa)
Just how wet is it where you are? If water has got in you could be on to something. After I jetwashed my engine down after a good gunking, I had symptoms more the opposite-the starter would crank on its own-even with the engine running! (and on 1 occassion when the ignition was OFF). Could only put it down to water shorting it out at the starter, because after wiggling the wires to the starter a bit, it would stop cranking.
Strangely, this problem has cured itself, probably as it dried out......

Badger · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2010, 08:45:06 AM »

i think i have narrowed it down to the ignition relay ( 90 226 846 ) as it seems to have power between points 85 and 86 with a test light and power on pin 30 but nothing to pin 87 which seems to go to the small positive on the starter.

so that means a trip to holden to try a new relay ( fingers crossed )

it's been pissing down the last few days and i have noticed a bit of water in the drivers side foot well so i guess i'll have another thing to look for

Author Topic: 91 c20xe won't start (Read 819 times)

Bovva