Re: [DML] Car wont start (continued).

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Adam,

Two things: 1) If the starter won't turn - a thought. Have you been cranking the tits off
the engine trying to get it started and now all you hear is a click from the relay
compartment and this noise from the front? What's your VIN? Early cars (like mine) need a
mod to make sure the starter relay supplies enough current to the starter solenoid,
otherwise on a low battery it will half fire the solenoid - enough to load the battery
down to 10ish volts if it's already low, but not enough to engage the starter. The mod is
on the DMCnews tech page. No I haven't done it to mine yet :-)

2) the root cause: I had starting problems and have also had pump problems. The fuel pump
spins up when you crank the engine and when you let go of the key, it'll carry on
spinning for a second or so. This is normal. Being very noisy ISN'T. It's possible your
pump is unable to generate enough pressure to fire the engine up - I'd check the pickup
hose and filter, and maybe with a full tank try firing it up without the pickup hose
attached (NOT recommended for anything other than a very short time). I suggest this
because I had terrible trouble with my 20-year-old pickup hose and a blocked pickup
filter. The fuel pump makes a terrific racket and the engine (in my case) would have
trouble starting and would refuse to rev at all.

Also, something I noticed - the noise the fuel pump makes is VERY noticable if you stick
your ear behind one of the front wheels. Get someone else to crack the engine and you
have a listen - is that the noise you're hearing, but much louder?

Martin
#1458

Adam Price wrote:

> The engine wont turn over. I measured the voltage across the battery while
> trying to start the car. the voltage drops from 12.5v to 10v, this should be
> adequate to turn the starter. I also swapped relays since a bunch of them
> are the same, and that didnt help either. I dont think its the starter, but
> I'm new with cars. The car gives the shake, and the standard chugachuga
> noise that is usually quickly followed by the engine starting up. THe loud
> whirring noise is also present, sounds like the fuel pump, but much louder
> than normal.
>
> THanks
> Adam