Car juz won't kick over...what's worng with her?

Hi all,

My car just won't start up, well this morning it did start as per normal, and then about 20-30secs later just choked out, and well now it just won't kick over...i have over half a tank of fuel, and it still won't kick over...I'm stumped, can someone please shed some light on this topic...

kind regards,

reggie

 

Nice looking Zed! When you say will not 'kick over' do you mean

the engine won't crank at all, or cranks but won't fire/start? If it won't crank at all, I'd be looking at the battery terminals for connectivity - take the leads off and clean the terminal posts and the cable loops. If that makes no difference, try a known good battery. Possibly a dead starter-motor, or faulty starter solenoid. Check the high tension lead to the starter as well. There is also a thin wire that connects to the starter solenoid via a bayonet coupling, which can fall off, so have a visual check as well.

If it cranks but won't start, think along the lines of the PTU (especially if it's a series 1) or crank-angle sensor. Check that your fuel pump and fuel pressure control unit are operating properly. It may even be something as simple as an old/blocked fuel filter.

 

Sounds like a blocked fuel filter to me.

Because it did start and died after 20-30 secs.
Or dead alternator:unsure::unsure::unsure:
I had a similar problem with my previous vehicle and it turned out to be blocked fuel filter.
But suggest you to consider any other possible trouble-shooting.

 

dirty/blocked fuel filter?

Firstly, thanx for the compliments doug...hmmm, so maybe it might be the fuel filter, does anyone have a rough idea of whether its worth cleaning the fuel filter or juz replacing it? Also is there something else that I should get them to fix while they fixing the fuel filter?

kind regards guyz,

reggie

 

it does fire up...

just doesn't actually crank the engine over...tries and tries but juz doesn't startup...

 

Problem with terminology here!

"it does fire up" means to me that the engine responds to the starter motor and actually runs (for a short time). Possible fuel supply problem, maybe PTU

"doesn't actually crank the engine over" suggests that when you turn the ignition key, absolutely nothing happens.
Possible flat battery/bad battery connections/dead starter motor/solenoid

"tries and tries but juz doesn't startup" seems to me that the starter motor is turning the engine over when you turn the key in the ignition switch, but doesn't "fire" and run (even for a short time).
PTU, CAS, fuel supply (eg filter). The fuel filter is easily replaced (don't try to clean and reuse it) and relatively cheap. If you have no record of it being replaced in the last 20-30,000km then it's not a bad place to start

Had the same problem a few weeks ago, where I'd turn the ignition key and the engine would rotate with the starter motor but would not fire and run by itself. Turned out to be a faulty crank-angle sensor.

 

When did you change your fuel filter?

If you have never changed your filter since your zed was imported from Japan,then it is time for a new one anyway. Recommended by the Manual to change it every 40,000km.

The fuel filter is another disposable item like oil filter and listed for $28.85 at TTZED.

BTW, I could be wrong:LOL::LOL::LOL:. Who knows?
Please seek for further opinions from the other members too.

 

Smells like fuel related to me 2. I'd check the Fuel Pump Control

Unit. Try this procedure to bypass it and see if that gets you going temporarily

 

Can you here the fuel pump prime?

When you turn the key on to ignition (when the dash lights come on) can you here the fuel pump buz for a second or 2. If not you may need to look at the fuel pump fuse and failing that, try bypassing the Fuel Pump Control Unit as Mark has suggested.

If the fuel pump is priming (good way to make sure is to hold on to the hose coming out of the fuel filter while someone else turns the key on) then I would seriously doubt you have a fuel issue. Even if the fuel filter was blocked, enough would be getting by to fire the engine again.

 

Could also be a stuffed temp sensor .If its sending and incorrect message

to the ECU it could be dumping to much fuel and flooding the motor( I had this problem with one of my Zeds a few years back)

 

*Possibly* but would think it would just make the engine

run like shit but wouls still run. I think sly's prob is fuel starvation rather than fuel flooding.

An ECU diagnostic would confirm CTS fault...

 

how do i do an ecu diagnostic mark?

Also if it is the fuel pump, how much does it roughly cost? Can a dirty fuel filter really cause my car not to start? My fuel gauge was playing up, as I would drive along it would fluctuate, i filled up 3/4 tank, after 15mins of driving it had gone to about 1/4 and then a few mins later it was back up to 3/4...and then a day or two later...no more starting...

Also sorry about the incorrect terminology...

kind regards,

reggie

 

See Tech A-Z/Diagnostics

Check for error codes.

Also clean CTS (temp sensor) contacts. As Chris suggested it could also be a stuffed CTS.

You may need to pull spark plugs and clean them, if fouled - at least the front 4, to get her started.

Does fuel pump prime at ignition on? If so, pump & FPCU is working ok.

FPCU's do fail, but usually give warning via noisy fuel pump.

 

just tried that procedure...

recommended by mark, splicing the white cable and earthing it...same deal...Rob i'll try to check the CTS connector and clean it out...this is soooo frustrating as I am not a very mechanical person and it hurts 2 c the zed of the road:thumbsdown:

please do let me know if there is something else guys

cheers,

reggie

 

Most likely the PTU, but >>>

check for fuel pressure first, with mine drove into a mates driveway turned it off as per normal. but it would not restart engine would turn over but no spark changed the ptu no problem rang like a charm

 

i was also thinking it might be the ptu

but is there a way that i can be 100% certain that thats exactly what is playing up neil? I am just a bit strapped for cash (as i think all zed owners are:LOL

hmmm, i'll keep trying, is it ok to buy a 2nd hand ptu, or is there not much difference in price between a new and used one?

cheers

 

just an update on the situation

NRMA just left, mr TT u were rite, it was over flooding, he said there was alot of fuel so that is y it was not starting, he told me to take it for a good drive and i just got bak a happy zedder! don't u juz luv it when every1 looks at u as u drive your beautiful zed past:zlove::thumbsup:

thanx to all for their points of veiws..muchly appreciated:thumbsup:

cheers:zlove:

 

So... CTS connectors & fouled plugs.....???

 

DEAD BATTERY

it has enough power to open and close windows etc, but not enough to start car.

Happens to me every coupla years.
Car is fine.. then suddenly wont start cos battery has had it

 

how do i check cts connectors and fouled plugs?

the nrma guy said "juz flooded the engine, nothing to worry bout, theres nothing wrong with the car"...but rob, do u recommend i check the cts connectors and the fouled plugs, would be able to shed some light on how...i did a search, but everytime i do, this site crashes...

cheers mate