Exocet starting issue

[harryburnett]

Hi all first time on the forum, fitted the wiring loom and all the grounds I could find plus the grounds mentioned in the build instructions but I couldn't find "one strap from engine to chassis above exhaust manifold".

I tried cranking it over and that was all fine no issues there, then I tried to start it multiple times but I just couldn't get it to start. The tank has enough fuel, its getting a spark on all four spark plugs and it has tried to start with the occasional splutter. I tried easy start into the intake but nothing still. Battery is fully charged no issues there, haven't stripped the wiring at all either.

Anyone have any suggestions I could try
Thanks in advance

[p5curly]

Have you got the fuel pipes the right way round ?
Have you attached a earth point from the engine to the body by exhaust if you have not you could rig up a jump lead to test
Finally have you connected all the air intake pipes

[harryburnett]

Yep fuel lines are correct, used a photo from the Mx5 teardown to make sure. At the moment all the grounds are connected to one wire leading back to the negative on the battery to check the wiring works before I tuck it all away. And yes the ground by the exhaust at the front is done.

None of the air intake pipes or filter is connected...

[harryburnett]

Just for reference the intake currently looks like that but without all the wires over the engine.

[calibuild]

When you spray starting fluid into the intake, it doesn't get any action? All the fuses are good?

Try putting more gas into the gas tank? I had a few gallons in, couldn't get it, oouldn't get it, finally put more in and that solved it. You can check the gas line at the regulator to ensure it's pumping. For myself, it took more gas back into the tank then expected.

Oh and the throttle body is open?

[timbo]

Maybe the yellow fuel pump relay?
Have you tried jumping the fuel pump to ground in the diagnostic box?
Tim

[fatboy]

2 things might sound stupid 1 in the pic you have the throttle body with no induction pipe or air flow meter and air temp sensor it will not start without these it will just cough and splutter 2 try to prime the fuel system with a jumper lead

[harryburnett]

Mar 4, 2018 22:32:30 GMT timbo said:

Maybe the yellow fuel pump relay?
Have you tried jumping the fuel pump to ground in the diagnostic box?
Tim

Have not tried this yet no, will try that tomorrow morning thankyou

[harryburnett]

Mar 4, 2018 22:48:48 GMT fatboy said:

2 things might sound stupid 1 in the pic you have the throttle body with no induction pipe or air flow meter and air temp sensor it will not start without these it will just cough and splutter 2 try to prime the fuel system with a jumper lead

OK I didn't know that thankyou! I'll fit them on tomorrow, sure I'll try that too thanks a lot!

[harryburnett]

Mar 4, 2018 22:28:36 GMT calibuild said:

When you spray starting fluid into the intake, it doesn't get any action? All the fuses are good?

Try putting more gas into the gas tank? I had a few gallons in, couldn't get it, oouldn't get it, finally put more in and that solved it. You can check the gas line at the regulator to ensure it's pumping. For myself, it took more gas back into the tank then expected.

Oh and the throttle body is open?

It tries to start but just splutters. Checked the fuses in the relay/fuse box in the engine bay and they were all good.
OK I'll give that a try too thanks, it currently has about 10 litres in I think.
Yep throttle body is open as the throttle cable and pedal is setup.

[harryburnett]

So I cam back today to try again, filled the tank up to half way now so should be more than enough but the needle doesn't move on the instrument cluster from empty when I turn the key to "on" or "start", is this normal?

I've now fitted the all the air intake pipes and connected all the wires up but still nothing, just tries to crank over and sometimes coughs.

I wanted to check if the fuel lines were the correct way round so I safely disconnected both lines from the top of the fuel tank and it only dribbled slightly, if they were the wrong way round would it have sprayed high pressure fuel out of one of them?

Also when I turn the key to "on" only the battery symbol, airbag symbol and handbrake symbol light up and stay on, is this normal too?

I've order a diagnostics tool for the box which should be coming Wednesday

[Stiggy]

when you say "just tries to crank over" does it turn over properly at the normal speed?
Try turning on the ignition with the centre fuel pump pipe off, it should squirt.
Immobiliser? Has it got a key reader on the ignition barrel, you may be using a spare key and not the on with the transponder chip?
A remote key fob operates door locks and alarm if fitted.

[harryburnett]

Mar 5, 2018 14:36:15 GMT Stiggy said:

when you say "just tries to crank over" does it turn over properly at the normal speed?
Try turning on the ignition with the centre fuel pump pipe off, it should squirt.
Immobiliser? Has it got a key reader on the ignition barrel, you may be using a spare key and not the on with the transponder chip?
A remote key fob operates door locks and alarm if fitted.

It turns at normal speed for a few seconds then locks up but cranks over straight after if I turn the key again.

Just taken the pipe off and fuel squirts out.

I've just tried all 3 keys and no success. On the steering column there is one plug that isn't connected to the wiring loom (photo below) not sure if this is necessary but I haven't cut anything off the loom.

[harryburnett]

Here you can see what I mean. I turn the key and it cranks over for a bit then splutters and then locking up. Hope this helps
Thanks

[Stiggy]

good battery? What voltage when cranking? Good engine earth, PPF earth? Can't see that plug properly but looks like a yellow cable which would mean air bag.