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Help getting my car to run



Ok,

Since this is the 3rd time in like 4 days.. of my POS car wont start..
Its time for a FAQ..

Brian


On 11/11/06, C Boyko <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca> wrote:
> On 9:40 am 11/11/06 "Lexan Blanchard" <lexan_122874@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > I have finally decided that me staring at the engine is NOT going to
> > make it miraculously run.  So, I need help, as my only car experience
> > is changing a tire, the oil and an air filter.  Here is what I know:
> >
> > The 1982 Scirocco came to me not running.  The previous owner says it
> > has good compression, fire (new spark plugs), fuel spray, basically
> > everything that it takes to make it start.  I figured out the new
> > battery had died.  I have charged the battery.  The car will still
> > not start.  It tries, but it just can't turn over.  I have
> > disconnected the battery so it will not be drained again, until I
> > have an idea of what killed the battery in the first place (the car
> > has not been driven since the battery was installed by the previous
> > owner).
> >
> > So, HELP!  How do I know if the starter is bad?  What else could be
> > wrong?
> >
> > I appreciate any ideas and tips from all you guys, as I really want
> > to fix this car up myself (no mechanic or garage).
> >
> > Thanks!!!
> > Lexan
> >
> So, I know this is hard to describe online, but is it turning over fast
> enough do you think? If not, then it could be something electrical in the
> starter circuit that's not 100%. If it IS turning over fast enough, there
> could be an issue in fuel or sparkland, even if there wasn't previously. My
> first course of action would be to check out the snugness of the battery
> post connectors, and the big ground wires, they are notorious for corrosion
> issues which will give you all sorts of problems. They are located in many
> spots, the main one goes from the battery negative post to the frame under
> the airbox, where lots of moisture and crud can degrade it, you will have
> to dislodge the airbox to check it. Unhook the battery,  and have at it,
> the fuel lines won't break if they get moved around a bit. From there it
> should go to the transmission casing. Clean and tighten those, or replace
> the wires altogether.
> A quick "work around" for those wires to see if it's a problem before you
> tear into it is to take a jumper cable and attach it to the tranny casing
> somewhere and then to the battery negative post, it's doing the same job
> except the jumper cable clips aren't so good for when you're driving. (This
> would be done with the battery all hooked up normally). A few more places
> mine have had wiring issues that caused "no starts" were at the coil, and
> at the starter, see that all the wires are firmly attached and clean.
> If it's not a points car (82's wouldn't be, right?), there's a connector at
> the ignition distributor (to the hall sender) that sometimes has busted up
> insulation on the wires leading to it, that can cause erratic no starts.
> If it tries to start as you release the key from the start to thr run
> position, it could be the ignition switch. Another spot that might have a
> bad connector is the "fifth injector" or "cold start injector", it'll be up
> on the intake manifold. Do you hear the fuel pump buzz when you turn the
> key? You should...that's another thing to check for. There are lots of
> other options, don't be discouraged, just feed us all that seemingly
> unimportant details. There's lots of good diagnostic skill here on the list!
> Cathy
>
> PS, got a Bentley? It'll have some diagnostics for "no starts" too. And
> who's nearby that can help? Hands on instruction is the best, and so is
> socializing! And FWIW, I'd never done much wrenching till I got mine, so
> yeah, you'll get decent at it. And look at it this way, the more the car
> screws up, the more you learn?
>
>
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