Wont start.

[Jonathan]

Car just died at a junction..will turn over but not fire..no warning lights...no error codes..Has petrol in it!
Any ideas? Got to be something fairly fundamental....

 

[conaero]

Battery reset is the usual thing, disconnect for 20 mins then back on and try again.

Is the car low on fuel...under 1/4 a tank?

Have you just filled up with fuel?

Check the battery terminals are on tight, the earth strap isn't broken in the shrikwrap and make sure the piggy back wires are done up tight on the positive terminal.

Check you got fuel pressure first....open the bonnet, ignition on, with a key, depress the valve on the fuel rails to the injectors. It should shoot out 6ft in the air, watch your eyes and try not to get it over the hot engine!!!!

 

[Jonathan]

Yes it's low

 

[Contigo]

Heard of this before on 4200 after being low on fuel or fuel stop.

 

[conaero]

I've seen this before. If you can get it filled up after trying the rest of the above.

I believe its something to do with the carbon canister in the boot. Checking the fuel rail pressure will confirm this.

 

[Jonathan]

Where are the fuel rails to the injectors exactly?

 

[conaero]

You may have to unscrew those black caps first, cant remember...ignition on, should hit the bonnet at some pressure.

 

[conaero]

Ive PM'd you my mobile number.

 

[Jonathan]

Yes tried the fuel thing...that's working fine...will wait for a reset

 

[conaero]

Does the engine turn over as normal or faster or slower than you would expect?

If there is a fuel station near buy, go get a gallon or two while your waiting for the reset.

 

[Jonathan]

Normal

 

[conaero]

Recon its low fuel and a failing carbon canister. Fuel it.

You could try unplugging the MAF which is on the intake under the right hand engine cover. Its got a tang you have to lift to get it off.

 

[Jonathan]

Reset hasn't worked...got a recovery guy looking at it

 

[conaero]

OK, let us know what it was. Good luck.

 

[Jonathan]

He has diagnosed crank sensor gone...which makes sense as I have been getting po501 errors on and off

 

[conaero]

Ah, you never told us about the errors!

 

[Jonathan]

No...didn't think it would be that as I wasn't getting a cel or any error codes at the time..being recovered to a garage shortly

 

[CatmanV2]

Ah, you never told us about the errors!

You never stood a chance, Matt!

C

 

[Jonathan]

Update! A bizarre but happy ending...I was all loaded on the tow truck and we were on our way to the garage when the to truck guy suddenly had a bright idea....

What I didn't mention was the car stopped (and then failed to re-start) whilst I was pulled up at a level crossing...The tow guy has a theory that the crossing signal had interfered with the immobilizer (Seen it before with Maserati's/Ferrari's and the like). So he took me up the road on the tow truck (away from the crossing), goes to the back of the truck and fires up the car - started straight away!

I got him to ferry me home just to be on the safe side and once at home we tried it again.....started first time and running like a dream.
Anyone heard of this before???
I'm obviously please to avoid a garage bill and the car being off the road...but its strange.
Obviously NOT the crank sensor failed otherwise it wouldn't have started again.

BTW - thanks to everyone who offered help esp. Conaero.

 

[conaero]

That is very odd. If so you would have had the round red light on your dash at the bottom and the code lock symbol, did you see this?