QuestionQUESTION: Hi , hope you can help. I have read all the replies connected with this car and unfortunately havent found a solution.
I have a 3.3liter V6 which wont start. I have a spark as it will run in short bursts using an Ether based easy start spray.
I has run in the past but since the battery went flat it wont start. It has fuel in it. quarter of a tank.
Is there something that inhibits the fuel pump?
Thanks in advance.
ANSWER: Hi Mike,
The only thing that inhibits the fuel pump is if the engine rotational sensor(s) don't put out a signal that they sense 'action'. But that also inhibits spark. So if you have spark you should also have power to the fuel pump. Do you hear the pump run for about 1 or so seconds when you turn the key to the 'run' postion, and then cut out? That would be normal behavior.
You didn't mention the year so I can't tell you how to try for fault code readout which may give us a clue at to what is going on. Please let me know what is the model year?
It could also be mixture is wrong, even though you have fuel, and the fault code readout might help us if that were the case. So let me know the answer to my questions and we'll go from there.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
The fuel pump cycles as normal. Purges for 3 seconds then cuts out.
The year is a 1998. 3.3 V6 auto.
The battery discharged so i fitted a new battery and it ran fine.
Now the battery has discharged again (not been used in 3 months)
battery taken out, charged and refitted.
Got it very cheap...
AnswerHi Mike,
If you hear the pump and you have spark, then I suspect that you have fuel pump action when you are trying to start it. So then it would appear to be a mixture issue. Have you tried getting fault codes using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the 'check engine light, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc.? Count the flashes before each pause, then repeat the process and count again to be sure of an accurate set of flash counts. Then let me know the counts in order of appearance and we'll see what codes are coming out.
One common cause of a mixture too lean to get a start is when you have an egr valve that is stuck slightly open (ajar). The valve is located near the throttle body air intake at the end of the engine, mounted in pipe that recirculates exhaust gas from the rear cylinder bank exhaust pipe back around to the intake manifold. The exhaust gases have some fumes that can plate out a crud on the valve stem and thus keep it from closing tight when you are at idle. That makes for a too lean mixture so the engine won't start. The valve proper is mounted horizontally with the stem visible in a space between the body of the valve mounted on the pipe and the round top of the valve which is flanged and so if you look carefully you will see a metal rod (stem of the valve) with a slot around its circumference. You can take the tip of flat blade screwdriver and insert it in the slot and then lever the valve back and forth to check if it is moving freely (against spring action in one direction) or not. If it doesn't seem to close easily with the help of the built-in spring, then I would spray the base of the stem with solvent from a pressure can (such as WD-40 or carb cleaner) while moving the stem back and forth. Then see if that solves the no start.
On the battery discharge, a three month shut down will probably weaken the battery as you described because there is typically an ignition off draw of about 25 milliamps (about 0.6 amp-hours per day). You might have a hidden light 'on' somewhere that would increase that discharge rate. If you have a vom meter put it into the battery return wire by removing the - post clamp and bridging the gap with the ohmmeter. Wait for about half an hour for things to stabilize as the computers shut down and then read the off draw current.
I will await any progress reports.
Roland
