Engine won't start

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:38 pm

My spider sat for a month while I got a new idler arm, then it wouldn't start. Got my battery tested and charged it was fine at about 93%. My car still won't start. I can get it turn turn over, get a jump of rpms then it just dies. After a handful of tried the starter wouldn't turn over. So I got a jump, eventually even with jumper cables on, the starter wouldn't turn over anymore. I'm going to try hosing some starting fluid in it. Does anybody have suggestions, if this doesn't work then I'll be taking it to the shop next week which I can't really afford.

Sunracer · Post by **Sunracer** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:48 pm

Give the battery a good long charge. What year is your car? Carb or FI?

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:04 pm

O' Riley's charged my battery for me. It's a 75 spider carbed.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:36 pm

if the starter isn't turning the engine you need to check voltages at the battery and starter solenoid

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:21 pm

It give me a few tries then stops working, like a low battery issue. I'll see if I can find my meter today and try to get it on the starter and battery. I'm getting more worried about the fact that it just won't start even when the starter does engage.

maytag · Post by **maytag** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:41 pm

your description is classi fuel starvation. You get a little fule in it, it fires, the revs jump, then it dies & won't start again.

Check your fuel filter. Make sure your actually pumping 'new' fuel to the carb!

but as you are getting from others: you need to get the battery / starter issue solved before any of this will do you any good.

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:45 pm

just I just pull the filter and pump the gas, to see if I'm getting fuel. I think some of the starter issue is just draining it cranking on the starter. At least that's what I'm hoping, the battery is new, the alternator is new, and the starter is new.

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:19 pm

I'm getting the clicking. Also sometimes a strange buzzing near the passenger dash. But, absolutely the clicking sound.

bobbycook · Post by **bobbycook** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:19 pm

If the battery is still good and the starter is not cranking the engine, u need to think about the possibilty the starter is defective although new,,Need to think about pulling starter out and checking it by applying 12 vollts to see if it spins good.. Once the starter issue is resolved than you need to determine if you have a fuel or ignitions issue..

To quickly determine if you hava fuel or ignition issue, spray some starte fluid into the air horn ii the air cleaner is still attached or remove it you want and try to crank it again but only in aobut 10 seconds bursts to avoid draining the battery..It it tries to cranks (fires)s and evne runs an instance, you will than know your problem is fuel related, Some concerns would be assuming the air fileter and gas fileter are ok, a problme in the fuel pump circuit...my 75 uses a an electronic fuel pump located in the trunk..Listen for it to come on while crnkinging or have some feel it whle cranking to see if it is working...might want to try disconnnecting the fuel line at the carb and see if it is pumping .BE CARFUL !!! IF YOU DO THIS!!!!!!!. If the electric fuel pump is not working, check for vollage to it by using a volt mter or test ligth..take note..You willl not get a voltage in a non cranking situation so it will take 2 people, one to crank the engine while the other will check for voltlage..The reason for this is there is an oil swithch that turns off the fuel pump cirucuit in he run position if there is no pressure. you can disconnect the lead if u want, Whne the ignition siwtch is turned to the start position (crank) and the ciuuit is over ridden,, If the fuel pump is not working, check the fuse before condeming it..Remember, this thing uses 2 fuses..one in on the fuse box and the other runs out of the ignition swithc....A quick check of the fuel pump is to run a jumper fromthe battery to the furl pump connector...of it runs than u know it is ok..might even try and crank trhe engine.It should crank ok at this point..It would be a good idea to very carfully verify the pump is actullly pumping fuel aloso..As it is possible that the fuel tnk sending unit sock is not passing fuel or the filter is clogged up..If the fuel pump is pumping than that leaves you with a carb rebuild....LOL..

Obvioulsy, if it does not crank with the starter fuid, than u have an ignition problem, I ahve ran out of space, so let me know if you need some helo here too,

Bobby

bobbycook · Post by **bobbycook** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:37 am

i beleive the buzzing/clicking noise on the passenger side is coming from the seat belt/key in reminder circuit..that is where the relay is,

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:01 pm

Wow, thanks for all of the help. I got the battery charged at O'riley's, I pulled the fuel filter and had a friend check for flow while I gave it a quick crank. I used starter fluid, I'm at a loss. This morning it was dropped off at a foreign auto shop.

I was doing so well keeping her going. Hopefully it's a fairly easy fix and I can be back on the road in time to enjoy summer. Thanks again guys.

bobbycook · Post by **bobbycook** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:12 am

Sounds like a plan...I am assuming it did not fire (crank) even momentarily, and that the fuel pump was pumping ok..

That leads me to believe your problem is in the ignition...bad points, condenser or coil assy are some of th the...Minor, major would be time belt skipped

Sorry I did not get a chance to help u further...

Please email me when you ger word as to what the problem is..

Thanks

Bobby (b.cook@mchsi.com)

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:37 am

Prob not a fuel problem if a shot of starting fluid didn't elicit a second or two of engine life. As said previously, could be coil to plug, anything in between...

bradartigue · Post by **bradartigue** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:03 am

If the battery is old then replace it.

Then

Remove the spark plugs and disconnect the distributor. Crank the motor over, it should crank easily and spin away. If not, check the starter wiring, clean it up, put it back. If so then reinstall the plugs and reconnect the distributor. Verify, with a volt meter, than the +12v solenoid on the carb gets power.

Then try to start the car. If the starter bogs down with the new battery and with everything else working OK then you may have a weak starter. They usually produce a little smoke when worn out, and they stink like an electrical fire.

If the starter runs but the engine fails to turn over then you likely have a tuning problem.

NWAspider · Post by **NWAspider** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:11 am

Thanks everybody for all the help, turns out it was the ignition. Should be up and running by the end of the week.

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