Another non-starting issue !

[Spd6Fan]

Help please!, have spent a while checking the forums but I need some further ideas to resolve this.
My Spd6 (Cerbera) starts when hot no problems but it has an intermittent non-starting tendancy when cold. When I press the ignition the fuel pump primes, the starter works and the engine attempts to turn over but it won't fire.
It's got petrol, all the fuses are ok, can't be the immobiliser as the fuel pump is priming, could it be something to do with a faulty temp sensor and therefore the ECU giving an incorrect air/fuel mixture when cold.
If this is the case what's the approx price of one and is it a DIY job.
Thanks people.

[zazwaldo]

Hi there, how intermittent is your no starting problem? I much prefer when a car starts and wont start again full stop that way when you get it started, problem solved. Forgive me for stating the obvious but only 3 things can ever stop an engine starting spark, fuel or compression. Dont assume the engine is getting fuel just because the pump primes. In modern injection systems if there is no spark, although there will be line pressure no fuel will be injected to stop neat fuel being washed into the cats (Not good!). I reckon the coolant temp sensor would be a plug in check unless someone out there knows the resistance of a cold sensor? My Tuscan has an intermittent cutting out and not starting problem when hot which Power/Silverstone TVR and the factory are confident may be an engine earth problem this may also be a route for you to look down.

[spd6fan]

Alexander, thanks for the reply.
When I say it's intermittent it's totally random, but saying that I've been trying since Sat and I would of expected it to have started by now from previous experience.
If I want to check if there is a spark what's the procedure, is it just a case of taking the cover off from the top of the engine, unscrew a spark plug (attached to the HT lead) out and lay it somewhere appropriate??? in the engine bay on view and then press the ignition?. Any dangers on doing this.

[zazwaldo]

Theoreticallly it is that simple but with the high voltages etc modren ignition systems work at you have to be very careful when I was in the motor trade we used to do it but I would not like to encourage any one to try it at home in case anything went wrong. You can purchase inductive clamps which when clipped round the plug leads light up or some other indication of spark if my memory serves me correct. The earths did not solve my problem incidentally further investigation required alas!

[powerlord]

any old cheap screwdriver with a light in the end will do it... you get em from motorfactor shops for 50p. just stick it on the ht lead.