cerbera 4.5 will not start

[c7mct]

Does anybody have any suggestions as to why my 98 4.5 cerbera will not start. yesterday it struggled and today it failed. The engine is turning over fine, just not firing. can hear fuel pump and smell fuel. Previous discussions suggest that it might be the alternator fuse as yesterday the rev counter was playing up for a few seconds after start up. i have located the fuse and it appears fine?

[ByronTVR]

Check this out:

www.howstuffworks.com/engine3.htm

ByronTVR

[mike_e]

I've just had a similar problem with my 4.5, it turned over but wouldn't fire. After a few attempts the starter got a bit sluggish and eventually died. I recharged the battery and tried again and it fired first time. I recently fitted a new battery so suspected something in the charging circuit. Measured the voltage either side of the fuse and found it was different yet the fuse was completely intact. Turned out that the nut on the alternator side had vibrated loose.

Try charging the battery for a few hours anyway and see if the problem goes away. Hope this helps.

[torqemada]

I've had similar probs on one occassion, even though you can hear the fuel pump and smell petrol; you might want to check that the fuel cut off switch hasn't been activated. Try resetting it anyway.

[anonymous-user]

I had exactly the same symptoms when I blew up one of the Lambda sensors.

Engine turned over fine, wouldn't start and there was a smell of petrol.

just an idea.....

[c7mct]

Cheers for the advice, charged battery overnight and today first push of the button started the engine no probs. Only just bought car and thought that due to cold weather pressing the accelerator slightly might have helped starting. Got a feeling this may have caused the problem, a mate of mine is a mechanic and has told me that the ecu's on injected cars can stop the engine firing if they sense overfuelling. Can anyone confirm if this is true or not?.

[ByronTVR]

c7mct,
Seems your battery needs change.
Battery change is after 2 years more or less...depending on the use of it.

ByronTVR

[madasahatter]

The car does need a little help when it is cold, so it is normal to use the accelerator to start the car IMO.


Gently obviously since there is no oil pressure knocking about to protect the porcelain cams in my car

Steve