Mystery - why won’t it start?

[poprock]

I need help.

My Roadster is in with a local specialist having an engine transplant after the head gasket went on the original. The job's done. New engine is in. Car's back together. But it won't start. And he can't figure out why. The replacement engine was tested before fitting, so it's not the problem.

He knows MR2s inside out, but he's stumped.

Basically says he's replaced everything but the wiring loom. It's practically a different car now. He's even gone as far as replacing the ECU and the keys. And still can't find a reason it won't fire up.

The starter turns. The engine doesn't. Code reader says no issues.

I don't really know what to tell him. He's talking about giving up, leaving me with a bill in the thousands for the days he's wasted trying to track down the problem ... and a car that still doesn't run.

Any ideas?

[fawtytoo]

The starter turns. The engine doesn't.

The engine doesn't turn, or doesn't fire?

[poprock]

From what he said on the phone, it doesn't fire. I need to get more info from him really. His next idea was to start checking/adjusting the timing.

[Joesson]

I need help.

My Roadster is in with a local specialist having an engine transplant after the head gasket went on the original. The job's done. New engine is in. Car's back together. But it won't start. And he can't figure out why. The replacement engine was tested before fitting, so it's not the problem.

He knows MR2s inside out, but he's stumped.

Basically says he's replaced everything but the wiring loom. It's practically a different car now. He's even gone as far as replacing the ECU and the keys. And still can't find a reason it won't fire up.

The starter turns. The engine doesn't. Code reader says no issues.

I don't really know what to tell him. He's talking about giving up, leaving me with a bill in the thousands for the days he's wasted trying to track down the problem ... and a car that still doesn't run.

Any ideas?

Did the "specialist" supply the engine? If so I would look carefully at the "specialist's" obligations.
There is a replacement engine with a replacement ECU and keys.
Was this ECU from the replacement engine?
My understanding is that the alarm system is integrated with the ECU. The alarm system will not allow the engine to start if this integration is not complete.

[fawtytoo]

Basically says he's replaced everything but the wiring loom.

Then I would be checking all the wiring for damage, contamination or bad connections.

[fawtytoo]

The alarm system will not allow the engine to start if this integration is not complete.

The alarm won't prevent it starting but the immobiliser will.

[poprock]

The immobiliser was the first thing I questioned - the mechanic says he's ruled that out.

The replacement engine came from J-Spec, who share a yard with the mechanic. I've always thought they were pretty well regarded on the forum. And the engine was tested before swapping it in.

The ECU will have come from there too. To clarify, it was failing to start with the original ECU, and swapping in a replacement hasn't helped.

[Carolyn]

The key has to be paired to the new ECU.

[Joesson]

The alarm won't prevent it starting but the immobiliser will.

Is the "alarm system" not part of the "immobiliser"?and Vice versa?

[poprock]

The key has to be paired to the new ECU.

I believe he's using the 'new' key that came with the 'new' ECU. If that makes sense.

But I'll double check tomorrow.

[fawtytoo]

Is the "alarm system" not part of the "immobiliser"?and Vice versa?

The immobiliser should set the moment you take the key out of the ignition barrel. Whereas the alarm is set when you use the remote locking function of the key. The alarm may influence the immobiliser when you lock the car, but the immobiliser will only release when the correct key is put in the ignition barrel.

[Carolyn]

He can't 'adjust the timing' it's not possible with the car's ECU.  If he said that he doesn't know these cars inside out. Something has not been properly connected.

Ask Andrew Henderson to take a look at it.

[poprock]

I must have picked that part up wrong over the phone then.

Andrew has already looked at the car and doesn't know what's wrong. I haven't spoken to him directly yet though.

[shnazzle]

It doesn't really sound like your man has done the basic tests.
Is there spark? Is there fuel? 
Has he checked all the main signals to verify the harness hasn't been damaged and all the wiring is connected?
Checked fuses? 

If he has any suspicions that the timing was off because of a new chain being put in, or work on the cams then he wouldn't be trying to start it. Because he'd know it's an interference engine and results could be catastrophic.

It'd be good to know what he's checked. 

[Joesson]

leaving me with a bill in the thousands for the days he's wasted trying to track down the problem .
A specialist, so how is it justifiable to charge for failure?

[cptspaulding]

Is there spark? Is there fuel?

My 1st thought ^

If there's no fuel then that might point to the immobiliser which would make me wonder if the key & ECU were matched.

J-Spec could easily plug in a different ECU (with a known matching key) & strap the matched key to the ignition while starting.

But they may have done all that. We don't know what the mechanic has tried.