Hey, I have a 1994 MK3 Cavalier GLS hatch that I've been trying to get running for the past year with no success.
To give a bit of backstory my dad saved it from a scrapyard he used to work in around 2009 and it's been parked up ever since, he used to say it started and ran really good but he hadn't started it in years up at that point.
The car isn't getting petrol, I've changed the fuel pump, I changed the spark plugs too and thoroughly cleaned the earth terminals for the battery just to be sure and no success with that either. However, the car did start when using Aerostart, which tells me it isn't getting fuel. I think there may be a fault with the wiring or the ECU.
Can anybody think of any other issues that may be causing this? I really don't want to scrap or break the car as they are rare these days and I have loads of nice bits to go on it. Thanks
1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
First - try replacing fuse 11.
Far left fuse, middle row.
If the car will still not start,
Have a look in the foot well below the ECU.
There is a purple relay on a purple relay socket.
This is the fuel pump relay.
It is a basic 4 pin relay, so nothing complicated. (Unlike the multi-point injection relays).
Try swapping the relay for a good one.
Or - short the red wire to the blue / red wire.
This will get the pump running.
If still no joy, but the pump is running check for fuel level, or fuel leak.
Far left fuse, middle row.
If the car will still not start,
Have a look in the foot well below the ECU.
There is a purple relay on a purple relay socket.
This is the fuel pump relay.
It is a basic 4 pin relay, so nothing complicated. (Unlike the multi-point injection relays).
Try swapping the relay for a good one.
Or - short the red wire to the blue / red wire.
This will get the pump running.
If still no joy, but the pump is running check for fuel level, or fuel leak.
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
Will try these and let you know if I have any luck, thanks.Robsey wrote:First - try replacing fuse 11.
Far left fuse, middle row.
If the car will still not start,
Have a look in the foot well below the ECU.
There is a purple relay on a purple relay socket.
This is the fuel pump relay.
It is a basic 4 pin relay, so nothing complicated. (Unlike the multi-point injection relays).
Try swapping the relay for a good one.
Or - short the red wire to the blue / red wire.
This will get the pump running.
If still no joy, but the pump is running check for fuel level, or fuel leak.
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
Also - ensure that the petrol is not old.
Old petrol goes off, goes smelly and does not burn as easily.
Old petrol goes off, goes smelly and does not burn as easily.
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
Definitely check the petrol, when messing with little generators etc 6 weeks in certain circumstances can be enough with fuel to cause issues.
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
It's had new fuel in it, I drained the old fuel out and put new in and still no result.3cav3 wrote:Definitely check the petrol, when messing with little generators etc 6 weeks in certain circumstances can be enough with fuel to cause issues.
To list a few things I've done so far but to no avail
- Changed the fuel pump to a brand new Moretti one
- Brand New spark plugs and leads
- Cleaned the battery earths out
- Cleaned and polished distributor cap
- Checked the fuel relay earlier and it's working
The only time it started was briefly when I used Aerostart. I am a bit confused as to what else may be causing the issue, I think it could be some wiring or the ECU.
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
If it started with aero-start, then you must be getting a spark,
Which means all the ignition side is okay.
I would look at the central fuel injector in the top of what looks like a carburettor.
Your issue has to be the fuel / air delivery into the throttle body. (The carb like part).
The likely items are-
the injector,
It's loom / connector.
And I suppose the fuel pressure regulator.
Only way to know would be to detach the fuel pipes from the throttle body and see if either one issues fuel.
If no fuel is pumped out, then are you sure the pump is wired up the correct way round.?
Which means all the ignition side is okay.
I would look at the central fuel injector in the top of what looks like a carburettor.
Your issue has to be the fuel / air delivery into the throttle body. (The carb like part).
The likely items are-
the injector,
It's loom / connector.
And I suppose the fuel pressure regulator.
Only way to know would be to detach the fuel pipes from the throttle body and see if either one issues fuel.
If no fuel is pumped out, then are you sure the pump is wired up the correct way round.?
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
Will look into these thanks, haven't been able to go have a look at the car at the moment.Robsey wrote:If it started with aero-start, then you must be getting a spark,
Which means all the ignition side is okay.
I would look at the central fuel injector in the top of what looks like a carburettor.
Your issue has to be the fuel / air delivery into the throttle body. (The carb like part).
The likely items are-
the injector,
It's loom / connector.
And I suppose the fuel pressure regulator.
Only way to know would be to detach the fuel pipes from the throttle body and see if either one issues fuel.
If no fuel is pumped out, then are you sure the pump is wired up the correct way round.?
Re: 1.8 MK3 GLS won't start
No worries - all in good time.
Just for clarification,
If fuel issues from either of the fuel pipes to the throttle body, then it proves that the fuel pump is working correctly.
One pipe is fuel feed from the tank,
The other is return feed back to the tank.
This indicates a problem with the injector valve, the wiring, it's connector or the ECU's control of the valve.
If fuel does not issue from either pipe, then the fault lies with the pump, it's plug or it's wiring.
At a long shot, it could be a blocked fuel filter or a blockage in the lines.
Just for clarification,
If fuel issues from either of the fuel pipes to the throttle body, then it proves that the fuel pump is working correctly.
One pipe is fuel feed from the tank,
The other is return feed back to the tank.
This indicates a problem with the injector valve, the wiring, it's connector or the ECU's control of the valve.
If fuel does not issue from either pipe, then the fault lies with the pump, it's plug or it's wiring.
At a long shot, it could be a blocked fuel filter or a blockage in the lines.