Hey guys,

So yesterday, went to take out the Zed for a sunset drive, to be stopped in my tracks with it not starting. I realised through the horrible grinding type noise from the starter motor that there wasnt enough juice in the battery to crank.

This morning, I've borrowed a mates jump pack. This is now where I'm confused.

The car cranks with the jump pack, but no start? I thought maybe it wasnt getting fuel to pressed on the accelerator and I can smell fuel (not sure if this is relevant).

No matter what, it wont start. I'm going to get a new battery anyway as this one is clearly knackered, maybe that will fix it - Does anyone have any idea's as to what's up though please?

Pull one of the coil packs and spark plug, check for a wet plug,

If the is full pumping to the cylinders and no spark you could end up hydro locking and washing the bores.

I know from personal experience on this i'm afraid.

@JaiKai thanks for replying so quick mate.

I'll check asap, how do I fix this if that is the case?

Just a case of cranking the engine with the spark plugs out I believe? - I'm learning as I go, be patient 😂

Looks wet to me...

@JaiKai - I'm at the point of having all the spark plugs out now. (Had to do it around work)... So the plan is to fit the new battery now, then crank it with the coils and spark plugs out.

Is that right? When should I stop cranking?

I would unplug the fuel pump fuse or relay before cranking it again, until you are sure you have spark.

Yeah, that makes total sense haha. Will do that.

How do I know I have a spark exactly without fuel?

Ok, got her starting and running again. Only seems to be firing on 3 cylinders now though.

New spark plugs, new coil packs obviously. Anything else to consider changing?

Check the PTU connections.

Establish wether it’s a fuel delivery or spark issue.

As Stephen says check the PTU connections for corrosion damage (usually a green film on them). Also consider early PTU symptoms and failure:

Edited June 21Jun 21 by AndrewG

Thanks @Stephen & @AndrewG

I've just done a first pass with contact cleaner and a flat head, I regained 2 cylinders but I believe I'm still 2 down. So leathered the ptu connections with contact cleaner and will let it drip dry, then try again.

Interesting note, my PTU has been relocated to be next to the air intake. Assuming to avoid head cycles....

I have also just noticed this severed connection on a connector, any idea what it's for?...image to follow.

Photo

14 hours ago, mailrebdog said:

Thanks @Stephen & @AndrewG

I've just done a first pass with contact cleaner and a flat head, I regained 2 cylinders but I believe I'm still 2 down. So leathered the ptu connections with contact cleaner and will let it drip dry, then try again.

Interesting note, my PTU has been relocated to be next to the air intake. Assuming to avoid head cycles....

I have also just noticed this severed connection on a connector, any idea what it's for?...image to follow.

IIRC people relocated the PTU cos of heat which damaged them

1 minute ago, vijay said:

IIRC people relocated the PTU cos of heat which damaged them

@vijay - "Head" was a typo on my phone, was fully meant to say "Heat" 😂

The detonation sensor circuit is the left hand connector in the picture below (white and black wires main harness side). The VTC connector (yellow dots on plug with green/black and black/red wires main harness side). The O2 Sensor connector is at the bottom (Black, White and Black/Red wires main harness side).

Edited June 24Jun 24 by AndrewG

Thanks @AndrewG - So would assume the knock sensor. Will look to reconnect the broken wire.

Not sure if you can make out well on my picture but one wire is intact, while the one my finger is on is broken.

You need to go back to basics and establish exactly which cylinders are working and which aren’t.

Then progress by working out whether you are missing one of the holy trinity, spark, fuel or compression.

Things like a damaged Det sensor are problems but they won’t stop the engine from running. As a blind guess, I would bet the fuel injector connections are cack.