MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: ty222 on December 9, 2023, 10:34

Title: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 9, 2023, 10:34
Hi guys

I'm really having no luck with my 2 lately, this week it's been driving well and then it got to Wednesday and the car wouldn't start

Seems to turn over fine, I even tried jumper cables, but no start .

I have since replaced all spark plugs and nothing.

Any ideas on what I should try next please ?the turnover seems powerful and consistent and I have half a tank if fuel. Toad immobilizer is off or it wouldn't crank. I am sad!
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Gaz mr-s on December 9, 2023, 11:22
I'm not an expert on this subject. I believe the standard Toyota immobiliser can go faulty & the car will still turn over.  Toad-?  An aftermarket?
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Carolyn on December 9, 2023, 11:46
Me too 'Toad'??

The cars will turn over with the immobiliser on, but won't start.  That's true for Euro model cars and JDM cars with Thatcham immobiliser.  Usually an immobilser kills the fuel pump or ignition but not the starter.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 9, 2023, 12:52
My immobiliser is toad but I'm sure that's working because mine doesn't even turn over unless the clutch is in and the bottom left button has disarmed it.

I don't believe it's got a standard one as it's an import and even the key is custom.

I'll go and check the fuel pump has power next I guess.its just crazy it was working fine without any hiccup and now this, I just love winter  :'(
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Joesson on December 9, 2023, 14:54
The www has several articles on Toad immobilisers including instructions, You Tube videos and this :
https://www.google.co.uk/url?q=https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/toad-immobiliser-refuses-dis-arm&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj_mJiJzYKDAxXpXUEAHUtmBJ4QFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw3FVSCPlcoy9jnj37EMWR-4
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 9, 2023, 14:56
Guys I'm quite confident it's not my immobiliser, my immobiliser goes green as it should and the red light disappears showing it's disarmed . I can then hear the whirring noise stop as normal.

Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: paulj on December 9, 2023, 18:14
If it is not the immobiliser then the search must go back to basics.  To start the engine you need fuel and spark.  Check your sparkies and also make sure fuel is getting to the injectors or the rail.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Joesson on December 10, 2023, 12:11
@ty222

As above "To start the engine you need fuel and sparks".
You replaced your plugs so they should be good to go.
Fuel in the right place needs to be determined.
However , these need to be synchronised.
In 60 years I have had such a problem three times.
Once with a gear driven cam shaft, once with a belt driven and once with a chain drive.
The sprockets had worn, the chain slipped and the car would not start.
I found that because air was blowing out of the carburettor as the engine was turned over.
I have not read of such wear on our 2 / 1ZZ,  but!

The electronic ignition could, perhaps,  be out of sync , can't help with that, as unlike a distributor there's not much to see.

As above, "Good luck".
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: McMr2 on December 10, 2023, 12:50
Quote from: ty222 on December  9, 2023, 10:34Hi guys

I'm really having no luck with my 2 lately, this week it's been driving well and then it got to Wednesday and the car wouldn't start

Seems to turn over fine, I even tried jumper cables, but no start .

I have since replaced all spark plugs and nothing.

Any ideas on what I should try next please ?the turnover seems powerful and consistent and I have half a tank if fuel. Toad immobilizer is off or it wouldn't crank. I am sad!

Sorry to ask the obvious but have you had any warning lights/codes?

Were you working on anything on the car around the same time, even if seemingly unrelated?
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: shiny on December 11, 2023, 05:59
Crank shaft sensor?
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Ardent on December 11, 2023, 13:12
Quote from: shiny on December 11, 2023, 05:59Crank shaft sensor?
Connections clean and secure if not the sensor itself.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 11, 2023, 13:29
Thanks for the replies, im going to test the fuel rail and injectors today to make sure its getting there, after that ill do some research on the crank shaft sensor, thanks for all of your help.

* no lights on the dashboard
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: mr2garageswindon on December 11, 2023, 17:01
Wiring earth on side of cylinder head loose/ corroded.
Pretty sure that is shared earth with coils/injectors.. Easy and free to check.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Gaz mr-s on December 11, 2023, 19:49
I'd doubt the crank sensor. Usual symptoms with it is misfires, at 4 or 5k rpm. I haven't heard of one conking-out in your circumstances.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: shiny on December 12, 2023, 06:09
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on December 11, 2023, 19:49I'd doubt the crank sensor. Usual symptoms with it is misfires, at 4 or 5k rpm. I haven't heard of one conking-out in your circumstances.
Crank sensor on my Vauxhall Vectra years ago engine cranked but no sign of life. Just a suggestion.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: thetyrant on December 12, 2023, 09:20
Crank sensor or the wiring/earth to it.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 14, 2023, 16:18
Fuel Rail and Injectors working, looks like the crack sensor is next to check, seems a pain to get to, i had a quick look but couldnt spot it so ill get her jacked up high this weekend.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Ardent on December 14, 2023, 18:10
True. Sure there has been a few incidences reported on here that the connection has been found to be loose. Sensor ok, just poor connection.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Carolyn on December 14, 2023, 18:36
Quote from: ty222 on December 14, 2023, 16:18Fuel Rail and Injectors working, looks like the crack sensor is next to check, seems a pain to get to, i had a quick look but couldnt spot it so ill get her jacked up high this weekend.

Bottom of the chain cover towards the firewall. The crank senor earth can cause issues and crank sensors can fail.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: ty222 on December 16, 2023, 21:04
Best owners club around. The problem was the crank sensor earth. Absolute pain to navigate, my bolt head snapped off too so I relocated the earth and my car is now working again

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions, without this forum I would not have found this.
Title: Re: Car turns over but not starting
Post by: Ardent on December 16, 2023, 22:08
Quote from: ty222 on December 16, 2023, 21:04Best owners club around. The problem was the crack sensor earth.
#9 and #10

Happy issue resolved and cheaply if not easily/comfortably.