Engine: 2.3 F/Inj B23E/B230F: 1984 GLT non-starter

[davidcheshire]

Petrol is getting through to the engine, but it cuts out as soon as I release the ignition key. Both fuel pumps work and the main fuel pump relay is new.

I was just beginning the major service, having undone all the electrical connections under the bonnet and greasing them, and checking the plug gaps, when the fault arose.

Any suggestions, please?

[Stephen Edwin]

Well, which electricl connections did you disconnect?

and ....

If fuel gets through at first, does the engine run?

If the engine does run, how does it sound ad how is the feel of it running in the car?

P.S. .... Is there a spark at the plugs?


.

[Clifford Pope]

It sounds as if in there is an ignition connection in the starter position of the key which isn't being made when the starter is released.
Something to do with a bypass wire from the starter motor, coil ballast resistor connections ?

[geoffo]

Hi find out if you’ve got a spark by pulling a plug lead and putting a spare spark plug into it and crank the engine. It’s then a question of how strong the spark is and where/when it’s happening. Follow this forward (or backwards if there’s no spark) to find the problem. Check rotor arm as they’re super sensitive (get one from classic swede) cap and leads. Be systematic -and check your air filter too.

[davidcheshire]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

Well, which electricl connections did you disconnect?

and ....

If fuel gets through at first, does the engine run?

If the engine does run, how does it sound ad how is the feel of it running in the car?

P.S. .... Is there a spark at the plugs?


.

Thanks, Stephen.

The engine doesn't run. All the electrical connections except those on the alternator and the temperature sensor.

Hadn't thought it likely that there would be no spark, but will look for it.

[Stephen Edwin]

ALL the connections? Or all the ignition connections? Or ....

I am confuddled why ...

Perhaps you have not reconnected an earth connection. Did you by any chance disconnect any earth strap type of connection? I did that working on a Morris 1100 in December 1979. Took me ages to realise what I had done, failed to re-connect it.

[davidcheshire]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

ALL the connections? Or all the ignition connections? Or ....

I am confuddled why ...

Perhaps you have not reconnected an earth connection. Did you by any chance disconnect any earth strap type of connection? I did that working on a Morris 1100 in December 1979. Took me ages to realise what I had done, failed to re-connect it.

It was all the connector blocks, eg the two relays at the battery, the ECU, cold start injector, windscreen wiper, etc. Not the main block on the firewall, because I couldn't get it undone.

Why? It seemed a reasonable thing to do for a 35-year old car.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by davidcheshire

It was all the connector blocks, eg the two relays at the battery, the ECU, cold start injector, windscreen wiper, etc. Not the main block on the firewall, because I couldn't get it undone.

Why? It seemed a reasonable thing to do for a 35-year old car.

Aha I begin to be less confuddled.

Have you I guess tried unplugging and re-plugging them all? Spraying them with contact cleaner before re-connecting? Can any of them be switched with each other, or be the wrong way around? Have any earth connections been overlooked?

What else did you do at the same time? HT circuitry?

[davidcheshire]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

Aha I begin to be less confuddled.

Have you I guess tried unplugging and re-plugging them all? Spraying them with contact cleaner before re-connecting? Can any of them be switched with each other, or be the wrong way around? Have any earth connections been overlooked?

What else did you do at the same time? HT circuitry?

Problem now solved, and hopefully for the long term.

Unplugging and replugging restored normal service either on the ballast resistor or the smaller of the two two-contact connectors below the ECU - I couldn't stop myself doing more than one connector at a time.

Thanks again, Stephen.

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by davidcheshire

either on the ballast resistor or

.

Ah ha

Classic symptom - it's bypassed when you engage the starter.