Turns over, but wont start...
 

I'm stumped... got a problem with my car and cant figure it out... I need help :(

Its a version 6 STI with a few mods, nothing done in recent months or even the last yr.

So its running fine, I drove it all day long, no problems.
The next day it struggled to start, but with some enthusiastic reving I got it off the drive and round the corner... it then stalled. Took ages to get it running again and had to keep the revs above 2k otherwise shes just died.

It turns over but doesnt start. I've checked to see if there's a spark, yes all 4 plugs sparking. I've checked the fuelling and there's pressure, yes the pump is doing its job. The injectors are pulsing, yes.
I thought maybe its contaminated fuel? So I drained the system and put new fuel in from a different petrol st. Still no joy. I even tried another ECU, but still didnt work (I've got a simtek and tried my bro's simtek and also a std ecu).

I bump started it and it ran beautifully being towed in 2nd gear, like there was nothing wrong, but when you put your foot on the accelerator... nothing. If anything it goes to hold back? No boost or anything, very strange.

There's other little tricks and tests I've carried out to try and get it running, but none of them work :(

What am I missing? Why wont it start?

What if the fuel pressure regulator isnt working would that cause a problem like this? I'm out of ideas... cam belt jumping a tooth might mean it wont start, but then it would run like poo and after the bump it ran fine.

has a boost pipe come off? had same symptoms on my silvia when the fmic blew off?

failing that check the crank/cam sensors, and check the maf and icv!

good luck matey

have u tried battery lol joking give it to stu at tfs in surrey or try rich at fb tuning they will find the prob with in the hour may b 2. missed out on jap show man

Could be a crank sensor, or dodgy maf?

I'd def get the maf checked as they go all the time. Mine cut out when it went but did start and only went if I throttles very very slowly

I've got a simtek so no MAF.

Checked all the pipes, boost, water, oil... every single one.

I've recently had an ICV ECU problem which got fixed so its not that.

Also bump starting it and it running fine rules out crank sensor (so I'm told).

...I havnt tried the battery yet, cheers for that Rob :hjtwofing

my dads gonna lend his mechanical hand to it once I get the car recovered to his garage... failing that I will use a specialist... TFS, FB, API... whichever

Fuel pump running ?

Usually if they won't start on the key, but will with a bump, it is the water temp sender which send a dodgy message to the ECU when the starter turns, and the car doesn't know whether the engine is hot or cold - so defaults.

alex u will need a specialist as like david has just said you would of never thought of checkin a water temp sensor would ya ?

Thank you David... I checked the fuel pump andfuel is definately pumping. Altho on inspection of the spark plugs they're dry so for some reason the fuel doesnt seem to be getting to them. Its getting to the injectors and rails as I've checked.

So the water temp sender could be the culprit?

How do I locate that on my ver6 engine, would you mind pointing me in the right direction please?

It's on the rear (bulkhead/firewall side) of the coolant cross-over pipe, which lays across the top of the block.

It's the larger of the two brass coloured sensors (the smaller one is for the binnacle's temp gauge)...

http://www.subaruoutback.org/gallery...nt_Sensors.JPG http://www.submariner.org/thepno95/P...%20sensors.jpg

Beat me to it ! We're still looking for the camera...............

lol

Thank you both :thumb:

I'll try replacing that switch and keep my fingers crossed

Idle air control valve ?

Had a mondeo do the very same thing mate

I got the replacement switch... but its not where it should be according to the diagram? :wonder:

I've looked all over that coolant ally pipe but cant find the b'stard, grrr...

In that pic it looks like its just next to where the turbo sits, but there's nout there in the way of a switch as pictured...

oh wait, I think I spotted it in the front behind the alternator... typical ackward place...

I apologise alex. :o

I think there are two different places for it, depending on MY. And it looks like I posted the pics for MY93-98 cars... and not for our MY99/00 ones. Sorry dude.

At least the switch is the same! :D

Dont be silly, you dont have to be sorry... I found it in the end ;)

Ok I've replaced it, but its made no difference what so ever.

I've not tried starting the car for a while and it starts, but its like there's no fuel and its running on fumes. It just about ticks over, but pushing the accelerator makes very little difference.

I think the ptoblem is the fuel not getting to the plugs. Altho I've checked and the pump is workin and fuel is gettin to the rails and the injectors are pulsing so what could be stopping the fuel reaching the plugs??

Thanks for the advice on that one matey but I tried that already. Fortunately my brother had exactly the same car as me so I swapped over as many of the things I could from his engine 1 at a time trial and error to elliminate as much as poss

Bugger, sorry to hear the CTS hasn't cured it.

I'm a bit stumped now TBH.

:(

If I listed everything I've tried and tested... I hate not being able to figure it out its really annoying :(

Ok that was my last clutching at straws, I'm getting the car recovered to my dads garage. He's a mechanic, but old school so might not get anywhere with it, altho I've learnt not to under estimate him.

After that I think the car will be heading up to API if David will take it on?

yea see david i bet he finds in 5 mins

Are you sayin I'm rubbish? :hjtwofing

How's your car anyway mate, still spankin 400 horses?

Yea in spray shop now full respray in Honda Indy yellow slight pearl hmmm

I'm sending my car to my dads, gonna let him play with it then send it to a specialist once he's had his fun :(

having same issue. ....didi you solve it??

when did you last changed tour air filter? check it first remove it and try to run the engine

check your air filter (remove it first remove it and try to run the engine)

Holy "4 year old thread" resurrection :lol1: