FD3S Won't Start and Don't Know Why
 

I'm looking for some help diagnosing my problem. Any feedback would be appreciated.


So this is what happened:
This happened last week, I drove into the city (about 10km), parked and went out for dinner and drink. Came back to drive home and boom, won't start. Engine cranks, doesn't ignite. Got towed home so I can get under the hood and sort it out. The next day, I checked the battery (all good) and deflooded the engine (the long way, taking out the spark plugs, added a little AT fluid to lube the chamber etc). It still didn't start right away. I went away for a couple of hours to punch the wall and came back and it started up, left it to idle for a while and then shut it down.


The next day, tried to start it again. Back to cranking and not igniting. Deflooded it again. Same thing. Didn't start right away and an hour later it started up. This time I left it running, went for a little drive, reved it up quite a bit. Shut it down and it wouldn't start again.


Here's some relevant info:
- FD has done 28-29,000 kms.
- Spark plugs been changed (changed them out at 24,500km).
- Just changed the oil when I thought I fixed it the first time. Last change was at 24,500km. Use 15-40w.
- No mods to the car. Stock besides beside the alarm and air filters.

My next step would be replace your spark plugs. I had a similar issue and I fumbled with it for a couple days. My spark plugs were fairly new, changed them and that did the trick. My spark plugs had less than 5000 miles on them.

I'll give it a shot. You think my spark plugs are gone already after 2,800 miles (4,500 km)? I just didn't want to end up doing a compression test and getting some really bad news.

Thanks.

Alarm, huh?

Mine took a shit one night and left me stranded. The car wouldn't crank at all though.

Check it anyway. ;)

If that's good, then remember, to run a car you need air fuel and spark. Sounds like the fuel and spark are there...Maybe follow the intake to the engine and see if there's anything obvious. MAF or it's wires possibly?

Fuel and spark have to be both in the engine and at the right time.

And don't shy away from getting compression checked.

Start with the easiest and cross that off first which is compression and spark since they require almost similar work (taking the spark plugs out). You can use a piston compression tester, but that only will read one face of the rotor. After you get a reading, put a finger over the hole and feel if you are getting three consistent pulses. It's not accurate, but gives you a ball park.

Check spark next by grounding your plug and see if it sparks when you crank the engine. Check all four. If it sparks and everything else checks, it could be it's sparking at the wrong time. This is generally not a problem with EFI and computer controlled ignition, but you could have a problem with your position sensors or electric system.

Next would be to check fuel pressure, but that won't tell you if you have fuel coming out of your injectors.

If any of those check bad, work backwards to see what might be causing it.

A lot of this is detailed in the FSM

OK I have an update. I thought I had it all fixed but it turns out, my baby only wants to start when it's been sitting in the sun for a while (so when it's really warm). Now, I'm in NZ so it's not like it gets at all cold during summer.

Does this narrow the potential problems down? Fuel injection?

Compression check?

my first instinct want to ask does it have an aftermarket alarm? ive had tons of problems with them. what's your fuel pressure at the rail?

Starting issues
 

I don't think is your compression, did you fix the issue?