Help getting my car to run

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

Hers is going to be more difficult from a diagnostic standpoint since it
wasn't running when she got it, so in my world, I'd assume anything might
be non-functional, and there may be multiple issues. But it does boil down
to what Brett posted a few days back. Maybe we should assemble something to
add to the tech section on the .org, hell, maybe there IS something there
(nope, just checked, but there sure is a lot of great info there!). Brett's
post with some pictures would likely work pretty darn well. I'd volunteer,
but I lack the computer skills, plus I can barely type. And we won't talk
about upload speed.
I have to add that there is little else in the world that pisses me off as
much as a car that will not start. And mine have pulled that stunt twice on
the ETest dyno. How a mushroom cloud over Canadian Tire was averted, I have
no idea...
Cathy

On 9:03 pm 11/11/06 "Brian McGarvey" <bmcgarvey@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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