Help required - S1 not starting

Hello,

My S1 wont start, the engine is cranking, but not firing. When you turn the ignition on full, and press the immobiliser there isn’t the normal priming noise (fuel pump?!). I’ve gone through the search facility, and found possible battery issues, so the battery is fully and charged and a good amount of full in the tank.

20 minutes previous to that, the car was ran for a couple of minutes, the only thing I did following that was to press the inertia safety switch (I thought the rubber cover was split) Sunday tinkering, I know, I know…I need to get out more!!!

Just before I start removing spark plugs, and checking for fuel, has anyone got any ideas?

Relay? I think there’s a spare/one you can switch in the box. Or a fuse?

If it had primed I’d suggest TPS, but I doubt that.

Good luck.

Ian

If you can hear a click click click sound when turning over and it is almost firing but doesnt, then I would still suggest the battery is at fault. These things have a high crank demand. Have you tried jump starting ?

Cheers

M

Immobiliser.

It can be hot wired very easily though.

Thanks for your quick responses, the battery is a new one and is turning the car over fine. I’ve just swapped the relays over and the symptoms are the same. I think I need to check for a spark and fuel tonight! Thanks again! Mark.

Immobiliser.

It can be hot wired very easily though.

Hi Sean,

Do you have any instruction on getting around the immobiliser, so I can confirm this before exploring other avenues?
Thanks, Mark

If you have a workshop manual, you can figure it out from the wiring diagram in there.

My immobiliser packed in last year. You need to replace the immob and alarm box, and keys. Its a PITA. Seems a common issue though, so I guess the alarms are just a bit poo.

If he’s able/happy to, get SeanB to PM you (probably best not make that sort of info too public!) the hot-wiring info.

If you get spark and fuel pressure it could be the TPS.

Ian

If you have a workshop manual, you can figure it out from the wiring diagram in there.

My immobiliser packed in last year. You need to replace the immob and alarm box, and keys. Its a PITA. Seems a common issue though, so I guess the alarms are just a bit poo.

Hi Soggster,

You bought my old yellow one didn’t you?! Apart from the alarm hope anything else is okay…should of kept that one!

Don’t have a wiring diagram or manual, is there anything you can post or email?!

Mark

I have sent this PM to a few other people, hang on I will try and dif it out.

Sean…

no i cant find it. Its probably easier to explain over the phone. Feel free to call me on 07967 662294

Sean…

I don’t think this is a immobiliser problem, the two circuits the immobiliser isolates are the feed to the coil pack and the starter motor crank relay. If the fuel pump is not priming it could be fuse b1, or the fuel/injector relay, which also feeds the fuel pump, both of these are located behind the panel between the seats. I also think someone also had a similar problem which came down to a bad earth for the fuel pump. I supose it could also be a defective fuel pump.
Hope this helps

Try the ECU fuse in the box between the seats. Similar symptoms to ours and just ended up being the fuse.

Thanks for all the advise chaps, and especially to Sean B who assisted by phone!!!

All fuses relay okay! Taking the immobiliser out of the frame didn’t work.

With the ignition switched on, I disconnected then reconnected the engine safety switch (inertia), seconds later the fuel pump primed, and I was able to start the engine…Starts ever time now. Checked pins all okay. Because the main earth strap from engine/gearbox to the tub is right next to the switch, I’ve cleaned the contact points and re-tightened, not sure that’s anything related, but…I hate intermittent faults

Thanks again, Mark.

It’s funny how we can all get the same symptoms but have completely different causes.

Who said these cars weren’t complicated.

Who said these cars weren’t complicated.

In many ways, we’re all “wedded” to our Exiges …if you follow my drift…

Hello Mark,

Other than the alarm, it’s been fantastic, thanks! I guess you missed it, and have got another one. You can just have too many M3 CSL’s in my book

I did have some bother getting it through the MOT with emissions, but I put an Emerald ECU in it and it transformed the car. Much better mid range, and it uses less fuel, and it doesn’t stink and make the back of the car go black, so a big thumbs up.

Hello Mark,

Other than the alarm, it’s been fantastic, thanks! I guess you missed it, and have got another one. You can just have too many M3 CSL’s in my book

I did have some bother getting it through the MOT with emissions, but I put an Emerald ECU in it and it transformed the car. Much better mid range, and it uses less fuel, and it doesn’t stink and make the back of the car go black, so a big thumbs up.

Glad overall you’re happy mate!



I think I may still have an issue, the fuel pump now primes without the immobliser needing to disengaded? So, I switch the ignition on, the pump primes (car will not start), I then press the fob, a relay can be heard and then the car starts. I think the immobliser on the fuel side is not permantly off! Lucky me, of to the dealer I go!!!

Dont they all do this? the imobiliser has nothing to do with the fuel pump as far as I can tell from the service notes.

Dont they all do this?

mmm…I was thinking that myself