Anyone encountered this problem?
On three occasions in the last month, my '94 WRX has refused to start. For the 18 months I've had it, it has always started first turn of the key, but on these three recent occcasions the starter turns the engine over fine, but it will not fire, no matter how many times I try.
I've had to get some kind folk to give me a push, and then it fires immediately.
One clue is that it has only happened when the car is warm, not first thing in the morning.
Any ideas anyone?

 

Firstly, sorry, but no ideas.

Mine wouldn't start for the first time this morning - too cold I guess. It was turning over, like yours, but not firing.

It's a Jap import - does anyone know if they come with the right levels of anti freeze? (I'd have thought it would be ok, as Japan gets fairly cold, but something's not right).

Martin - when you've had someone give you a push, are you talking full bump start? I thought you weren't supposed to bump start turbos?

 

It would appear that there is no spark when it's turning over. Maybe alarm, I don't know, so I'm popping something in the general section.

[This message has been edited by Triggaaar (edited 28 December 2000).]

 

Could it be the fuel pump relay??
The same problem happ`n`d to my old 16V ASTRA!?

 

The first things I'd suspect would be the crank and cam sensors and the fuel pump. My fuel pump died on me once, same symptom - engine turns but wouldn't fire up.

Also (this is a long shot), check all your relays if you have quite a bit of electronics on board. Friend of mine had the same exact problem, couldn't fire up when engine is warm, and we traced it to too many gadgets lying around, probably sapping power needed for the initial spark? Could this be possible?

 

Had exactly the same problem on a MY95 a few years ago. Cam angle sensor was at fault. Only takes a few minutes to diagnose on a Select Monitor.

Cheers

Russ

 

Cheers guys, I think you may be right (something like crank or cam sensors, or fuel pump) - is there a simpler way to check than to take it to a specialist?

Have you had any luck finding the problem Martin?

 

Thanks for your suggestions, all. I've checked the fault codes from the ECU, and I'm getting a code 11, which is a crankshaft position sensor fail. Should have checked it first before crying for help, I know.
Thanks anyway.