StartingTroubleshooting

Starting Problems: Troubleshooting

General Advice

I would do a couple of things first. I assume it cranks over fast enough with your jump setup? I would replace the plugs(if they were marginal before, they are not going to want to ignite stale gas). Speaking of gas, it's easy to drain it on a fuel injected X. Just remove the hose from the bottom of the tank to the fuel pump, and drain it out. After putting in some fresh fuel, prime the system by pushing open the flap in the air flow meter with the key on for a minute or so. This will flush the fuel from the injector rail. Last but not least, pop the distributor cap and check for moisture. Hopefully this will fire it up. Good luck!

-- Steve

Electrical

If you are hearing a clicking from the starter motor solenoid but it isn't turning over, try hitting the solenoid with a spanner / small hammer to free it up. You can also try rocking the car with it in gear (3rd).

Check the connection to the solenoid to make sure you are getting the correct voltage there. You should try the BrownWire mod before going to the trouble of replacing the starter motor.

--Dom. 15:44, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

The main (large) battery wire goes directly from the battery to the starter motor. (solenoid actually) Check that you have a solid 12V to that point. (to ground) Next, check that your ground wire AT THE TRANSMISSION (to chassis) is good.

If you're in a safe position, you can remove the smaller solenoid wire and (with an aligator clip) short the large feed wire from the starter to the post where the solenoid wire goes. This will crank the engine over by force. BE SURE YOU'RE OUT OF GEAR AND SAFE WHEN DOING SO! This proves the main wiring to the starter is good.

With the starter solenoid wire (SMALL wire, likely red) disconnected, slap a volt meter across the disconnected wire and have someone "turn the key to start" for ya to see if you have 12V at this wire. If you do, your problem is likely the solenoid, but if you've checked the starter, by now you would have found the problem!

-- Bob Brown

Ignition Timing

Mechanical timing of engine is done to #4, rather than to #1 like most engines.

Firing order is: 1 3 4 2

If your distributor is in this position:

... then the cable order should be as follows:

Fuel Injection

Most fuel injection problems are the result of electrical problems.

• Battery

It pays to have a fully charged battery, as a low battery may not supply enough power to the injection system while the engine is cranking.

• Grounds

Grounding issues are the number one electrical issue facing X1/9 cars. The main ground strap from the chassis to the engine/transaxle is often overlooked and is crucial to the completion of the starter circuit.

Other grounds like the small ring terminals on the cam cover are crucial, they supply ground to the injectors and the ECU.

• Fuel Injection Troubleshooting