I finally got my car running properly and went autocrossing and drove it around for a month with no issues. 4 days ago I parked it and yesterday it wouldn't start. I replaced my starter and battery and no go... Any ideas!? Would a bad alternator cause it not to start..?

Here is the video...
https://vimeo.com/85528214

 

Check for fuel pressure and spark.

 

No.

-TED


In all seriousness though, the alternator can not cause it not to start if you have a new started and a fully charged battery. If the alternator is NOT charging, then you will let the battery discharge when it is running to the point it will not start.

Vince

 

Check for Fuel, spark and compression and report back. Sounds like a weak motor from the sounds of it.

 

Ill check for spark...
Not sure how to check for fuel...
Ill check compression

 

Raise your hand if you thinking i need new engine

 

It appears you are getting signal from the Crank Angle Sensors(CAS) as the tach is moving. Check EGI fuse first, then jumper FP and GND in the diagnostics box next to battery to verify fuel pump is coming on. Next remove spark plugs and verify you are getting good spark, If EGI fuse is ok, spark is good and you can feel fuel pressure building in the feed line you will want to buy/rent some Node lights to verify injectors are getting a signal.

Good luck.

 

Pull the plugs and crank the engine. You should see/smell fuel blowing out. Hopefully you wont see coolant or too much oil.

Also, While cranking, listen for even wooshing sounds.

 

i had a similar issue years ago with my first FD and it ended up being the fuel pump. the pump was working when I disconnected and hooked it to a battery, but it wasn't building up enough pressure to push fuel to the motor

 

I know it won't have anything to do with your car not starting but how old is your battery? It shouldn't drop below 10v when cranking. On your video it went down to a low of 9.7. That seems odd. It was hard to tell from the video but how solid does it feel when you turn the key? Does the starter feel like it engages firmly and can you feel the rotors churning inside the engine? I don't think poor compression is the problem as you're cold starting it at 13c water temp. Have you changed your fuel filter ever or checked your fuel psi in the engine bay?

 

Has compression been checked yet?

 

I'm getting fuel and pressure is building up. How do I check the egi fuse? Also after turning the key the bac or air idle valve keeps making a buzzing sound. I need to check the egi fuse and spark next. Even with one rotor I should get the car to crank... As is not even doing that.

 

why did you replace the starter? be specific. was it cranking slow, intermittently failing to crank, click no crank or no click no crank? It sounds like low compression, but it is also not turning over fast enough to fire or even give you a reliable compression test.

 

One day I turned the key and what you see on the video happened. I replaced the starter to eliminate variables as it was only making whoosh sounds and no cranking.

 

was there any damage on the teeth of the old starter where it engages the ring gear?
do you have a volt meter or digital multi meter?
what was it doing before it was running properly?

 

Answers below.

 

what I meant was, what was this comment in reference to?
was the Not running properly engine related and how long was it between that and the current no start?

try running a remote start wire to the starter signal and jump it to B+ with the car in neutral. If it cranks up past 300rpm there may be an issue with the starting circuit.

 

I had a race 2 weeks ago them srove it fine in town until 4 days ago when it stopped workin all of a sudden

 

Could just be from the video but it sounds like the motor is building no compression. Pull plugs and clean them with brake cleaner and a lighter or torch. Crank motor over full throttle with the EGI fuse out for 10-20 seconds, do this a second time. Put the plugs back in, plug the EGI fuse in, and try to start her up. Having the car on a charger/booster while doing all this also helps.

thewird

 

I didn't want to say it but I agree with thewird

 

I agree that it sounds like no compression, but I doubt it is. a starter that is not turning the engine over will sound like zero compression. It seems unlikely that it would have enough compression to run one day and 0 the next. even 2/3rds of seals going bad would leave some compression. I suspect a starting issue over a drive-ability issue. have someone watch the accessories while you crank and see if the engine is turning.

 

Have you tried in dash diagnostic test? And see waif there's a code?maybe?

 

I'm just saying it sounds like no compression, there's more then one thing that can cause that. The engine is obviously turning as there is rpm and it's a healthy speed as its over 250 rpm.

The OP should follow my suggestions.

thewird

 

Exactly what I heard. Just spinning with no compression pulses. Sounds just like when I take the spark plugs out to de-flood the motor. You should hear variations in starter load with each compression pulse.

 

It sounds like weak compression to me.. just whining away, at least pull a plug from one rotor at time and turn it over and see if you are getting consistent pulses.