Won't start

[jabez]

Have a 74 1.8 that I rebuilt the engine about 4 months ago. Took it out for a spin about 3 months ago then pulled it into the garage for a complete restoration. I stripped it down to bare metal and started welding in new body panels. I needed to turn it around in the garage so I tried to start it up. Off and on for the last three months I have still not been able to start it. Found that I had a bad battery and replaced it with another gel type, but still can't get it to start. Thought I had fried the FI brain by welding on the car, but when I pulled the plugs yesterday to see if I was getting gas, THEY WERE WET! I had been cranking a pretty long time, and even had gas dripping out of the exahust gaskets (guess I need to go back and tighten them). I guess I can eliminate the brain if the injectors are firing, right? I connected the plug from #4 and had my wife crank the car. I got a spark between the tip and the anode, but not very bright. Think I killed the condenser and it is not letting the coil charge? I have a new Blue coil and condenser that I purchased at lunch and will try that tonight. Any other ideas? Can the brain be bad and be feeding too much fuel and thus flooding out the plugs? The fuel pressure holds steady at 36 psi with the switch on or off.

HELP!!!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Replace the plugs first, they may very well be fouled. Then make sure the ignition system is working properly.

One failure mode for the D-jet ECUs is for them to convert themselves into CIS. That is, the injectors turn on and they don't turn off. It's happened to me once so far, and to at least three other people I know.

The L-jet circuitry is different, but may have a similar failure mode... So it could be the ECU. But it's well worth verifying that the ignition and the basic condition of the engine are good.

--DD

[jabez]

Thanks Dave. I did replace the condenser and coil last night, verified the points opening and closing, voltage to the coil and the spark from the coil wire. I had wondered about the ECU failing open. I literally had gas dripping from the exhaust. If it's the ECU, I guess I'll get carbed. I've been looking for an excuse. Who has the best (and least expensive) 40mm conversion kits?

GS

[Kenny Powell]

Here's a good tip for ya, take out the points go in your back yard
and throw them as far as you can(unless youre near the the bush ranch) then go buy a Pertronix Ignitor.