A bit of a strange one...

 

I couldn't get my car started the other night after cleaning some connectors and running a diagnostic. After trying all the usual (checking connectors, ECU, etc etc), it still wouldn't start!

 

After looking at a few threads, I saw someone tried turning the screw on the ECU clockwise then straight back. Amazingly, IT WORKED!!

 

Any ideas why? - does an immobiliser prevent the ECU switching back to normal mode?

 

Finally, when it did run again, it's not firing on all cylinders :mad:

 

Could this be a result of the PTU packing up?? I've checked connections on the coil packs etc, and they seem fine, although they are pretty fragile... are they easy to replace??

 

Sorry for such a long thread, but i really want to have it up and running again for the Chester meet on Saturday!!

 

Rich

Hi Rich!

 

Glad to hear you're running again. Can't imagine why the ECU diagnostics can have caused a problem.....still not convinced the turbo timer isn't involved in some way.

 

May be worth checking battery voltage as you did a lot of cold cranking trying to get it started. The PTU can fail on individual cylinders but more likely is a complete failure. LMK if you want to try my known good (although badly repaired) PTU.

 

Cheers...

You need to do a few tests to see what cylinders are the problems.

 

Get yourself a cheap plug from Halfords (a £2 one will do).

 

Take out one coil pack at a time and test for a spark.

You may find ones, that don't spark. If so try changing the coil pack over for one that worked. If it still doesn't work then you need to check the wiring and the PTU.

 

If all of them spark test the coil packs again but using the plug for that cylinder.

 

If still no luck then check the injectors by removing the CAS and turning the ignition on (not starting the engine), turn the CAS slowly and listen for the injector clicks follows by a squirt or petrol.

Ok, I'll try them tonight with a bit of luck!

 

Although when I tried to remove the CAS the other night, it didn't want to come out!!

 

Also, when the trouble first started, the ECU had error code for CAS. I've got a spare one, but it clicked when i spun it, but went quite after a while... I'm assuming it was just a because it hadn't been used for ages?? DO these 'go bad'? Or are they simple magnetic sensors as on other cars?

 

Is it worth stripping down and cleaning??