Trouble starting SC after sitting too long

eubanksae · 12-15-2011, 02:20 PM

My car has been barricaded in my garage for the last 10-11 months. It's not entirely unusual for it to have prolonged stints where it's not started, and usually starts fairly well... but this time the battery is dead; and after charging the engine now turns over fine but doesn't attempt to fire.

It was running fine when it was parked. Please help me with work through this and get her running again.

Recommendations were made of spark and fuel; so I'll ask (being very much a novice mechanic) What are the simplest ways to validate these with my vehicle.

Head416 · Head416's Garage

I had to do this one recently: remove air box cover and air filter, turn key to "on" position, push up on the flap in the airbox. You should hear an obvious sound of fuel flowing. If not, investigate why not. For me it was corrosion on the fuse for the fuel pump.

Could be lots of things. This board will get you through it. Perform one test at a time, report results. People much smarter and more experience than me will tell you what to do next.

And remember... THIS IS FUN!!!

Good luck.

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Any luck yet?

Dave Colangelo · Dave Colangelo's Garage

You can check the spark directly. Get an old spark plug, pull one of the wires and put the plug on it. With a set of INSULATED pliers hold the plug, touch the threads to a good grounding point, the engine case should do, then have a friend turn the engine over. You will see a big blue spark if you are getting spark. Be very very very careful when doing this the spark is very dangerous. Make sure your ground is solid and conductive.

You may want to change the spark plugs while you are at it. For that matter you may want to change the air filter, oil and oil filter, and fuel filter, as well as the distributor rotor and cap. This will cost maybe 80-100$ at most but will make a big difference.

If you dont have spark, check the spark at the coil by doing the same thing but using the wire that comes off the coil its self. Again be careful this can be dangerous. You can do this by holding the wire very close to the engine block so the spark grounds to the case.

Check all connections for corrosion, as well check all grounds for corrosion. If you find any clean it up and try again.

In terms of fuel, when the power is on, get close to the pump you should hear it.

Regards
Dave

DaveHak · 09:25 PM

Just yank out one spark plug wire, have someone try to start the car, look to see if there is spark...Be careful not to get shocked. Even if you do, don't worry..it will probably not kill you.
If you have spark, the next thing to check for is fuel. The simple way to check for this is to turn the ignition half way and listen for a buzzing sound under the hood near the gas tank, that's where the fuel pump is located. If you have both fuel and spark, then keep on cranking until it starts. As a general rule, You should start the engine at least every 10 days, and keep it running for at least 15 minutes. Remember, our cars don't like being neglected. Good luck!

DaveHak · 12-16-2011, 10:58 PM

One more thing. If you have both spark and fuel, then check the air box. Open the air box cover, and check the pop off valve (if you have one) make sure its seated properly. You can do this by pulling it open, and letting it snap shut. The pop off valve is a round, about the size of a silver dollar.