MEV Exocet KitCar Will Not Start

[maxboodrie]

My grandad had as a MEV Exocet Kit and it is nearly done but we have ran into a few problems. we looked online and saw that a couple of mx5's have the same problems we have and what would happen is the car will turn over for a few seconds and then it would stop and then you would have to turn the car fully off then try again to start the car and it will start for a few seconds then stop. so what we came across on the internet was it saying that it might be the air filter so we (me and my dad) cleaned the air filter and the same thing will happen so it's not the air filter. then we came across another video saying it might be the coil pack so today we checked the coil pack to see if all the cylinders and they where all working so now we are back to the drawing board and we were wondering if you had any ideas

[mikeeyboy]

I have had this issue. What year of donor did you use? The engine starting then dieing sounds 100% like an immobiliser issue to me. Have you stripped the loom out at all?

Depending on the year of donor there is a good diagram showing the immobiliser that means you can check continuity on the wiring.

[gwnwar]

maxboodrie.. Welcome to the forum.. First please see the Red White Blue in my signature line.. Add your and donor info and location.. it will help in trouble shooting..
Got enough fuel in tank??
With run problem if you have a 1.6 with an AFM is it plugged into harness.. Never use the 2 screws to take harness off AFM take the wire clip off and then pull it apart..
Got a good ground for black wire in AFM harness..
Are the fuel hoses on the right way.. follow the one from the center most tube on the fuel pump plate to the front of the fuel rail on the
engine.. the other tube from rear of engine is the return.. (if you have the 2 hose system of the 90>98 cars).
Put a jumper wire between the FP and Grd in the diagnosis box in engine compartment with to on this should turn on the fuel pump..
Doing this you should also be able to check fuel pressure at the front hose to the fuel rail..38>46 psi
You can also try to run engine with jumper in place.. If it runs with jumper in place but not without it you have a wire/relay problem..
Make sure you have checked all your fuses with a meter or test lamp for being good..
There are a few more thing to check depending on year and size of donor engine..
Has the engine been apart for a new timing belt and or water pump..
We are here to help.. ask questions.. Stay safe..

[buildercg]

I had trouble starting my Exocet the first time, and again after I swapped engines.

Everything gwnwar and mikeeyboy said plus:

* Check spark and compression on all 4 cylinders.
* Check fuel pump is working: take out of tank and connect to 12V battery to ensure it runs smoothly. Ensure fuel lines are pressurized; use gwnwar's trick or add a dedicated fuel pump switch to enable you to turn the pump on/off manually (I did this).
* Check all wiring: ensure everything is plugged in - '92 US model has a 2-wire white connector on the column that must be plugged in that seems to otherwise be unnecessary; car will start momentarily with it unplugged but will not run.
* Ensure battery is good & charged. My car will start if battery >= 70% charged. It will crank, but not run if it's under 70%.
* Ensure intake is not leaking between AFM and intake manifold.
* Ensure all unused ports on intake manifold are blocked.
* If you have a charcoal canister: disconnect it temporarily and block intake port on top of manifold to ensure it is not the source.
* Ensure engine is grounded.

[cooltech]

Given that you say the car starts briefly and then stops - and will do the same thing each time you cycle the key, I think it is not an electrical issue, but fuel. Specifically, the ECU will not keep 12v to the fuel pump if it does not sense that the engine is running. As gwnwar says, trick the fuel pump into staying on and see if that improves your situation. If so, you need to look at the wiring of your ignition system.