don't change your air filter!

[blake at clockworm.com (Blake Irvin)]

oooh - nice tip!  the bentley does not mention that in its  
troubleshooting section.  i'll have to look at that in the am.

i may also vise-grip off my starter (canNOT find triple-square keys  
anywhere...) and take it to the auto place for a test...

did find some wierd unconnected hoses today, a mouse hole in the  
bottom of the airbox (little teethmarks round the edge), rust, almost  
broken wires that I reconnected, etc.  so maybe not bad in the end.

 >>>> also, that metal lip that goes around the transmission bell  
housing has some bolts through it - the bottom-most one is missing on  
my housing - is this a problem?

blake/

On Nov 5, 2005, at 8:47 , C Boyko wrote:

> On 8:34:47 pm 11/05/05 Blake Irvin <blake@clockserver.homeip.net>  
> wrote:
>> i just did my on my 16v and now the car will not start/turn over
>>
>> checked all fuses under dash - ok
>>
>> disassembled most of the relays under dash - look OK
>>
>> fuel pump relay makes a buzzing sound (see small sparks as gate
>> opens/ closes rapidly) but i hear the fuel pump still turning
>>
>> engine does not even attempt to turn over - starter looks like a
>> relatively new part.
>>
>>
>>
>> maybe the solenoid?  still working on testing out voltages as the
>> bentley recommends.
>
> Well, under the airbox, for some top secret reason, is the main  
> ground to
> the frame. Perhaps you knocked it loose, it may have been nearly  
> rotted off
> if original. It's a stellar corrosion trap. There's also a big  
> ground wire
> from there that runs to the tranny. Either of these could easily  
> cause a no
> start. If it were me? I'd check them, and also the small wires on the
> starter and the coil, they are easily knocked loose. Actually, I'm  
> a lazy
> ass, I'd probably hook a jumper cable from negative on the battery  
> to the
> tranny housing, and see if that does the trick, then I'd go through  
> the fun
> of cleaning it up. (check that the hookups to the battery are sound  
> and
> tight too)
>
> Cathy
> Sister of the Church of the Free Electron
>
>