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Car won't start - suggestions?
#1
Hi all,

As some of you may know I took ownership of #1373 at the end of November. I have been travelling since and away for xmas so haven't had a chance to start the car up since I got it into my garage (after driving it 300 miles from Durham to Bucks - Kris also drove it down to Birmingham and back for the car show).

I trickle changed the battery over the past couple of days (i did lock it off at the battery as it has a switch but thought just to be sure I'd charge it), and attempted to start it yesterday.

The fuel pump turns on at position 2 (i get the buzzing), and the starter turns at position 3, but the engine won't start. Tried initally without any pedal, then tried with some accelerator but no luck.

I also noticed a few drips on the garage floor under the engine after trying for a couple of minutes - assume that is because I flooded the engine?

Few questions:

How to people tend to start their cars? Do you give it any fuel, or just turn the key?
Are there any tips to starting the car I should know about?
How long do you crank at position 3?
I know there are things I can check/bypass (CSV etc), but it would be good to have a definitive list and order to check?

As you can see I am quite new to this, but am looking forward to figuring this out!

Cheers,

Priesh
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
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#2
Your car should start on the key with no additional gas ultimately. Sometimes it might take a few seconds of cranking, which is sometimes typical of many cars, but ultimately, you want to be aiming for it catching almost instantly.

When you collected the car in the first place, had it been warmed up for you, or did you start it from cold yourself first?
Rissy
(Forum Member 288)
(DOC Member 663)

May 1981 vin#1458 "LEX"
Grey, Flapped, Black
Chassis: #1073
Engine: #2839

Main Car(s):
2005 BMW M3 in Velvet Blue
2010 Honda Civic Type R in Sapphire Blue (1 of 115 made)
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#3
Hi - thanks for the reply. Kris had taken it out of the garage onto the driveway before I arrived, then it sat for a while before we then started it again - hard to be sure if it had cooled down completely, but probably not.

He used to start and drive it weekly, but had to bump start it sometimes on his hill which I can't do as i can't even get it to the road due to a gravel driveway in between.

I'm going to try and warm up my garage with some heaters tomorrow to see if it'll start then, as it is rather cold in there currently.

What would cause it to struggle to start stationary but be ok when rolling? The battery is from 2014 we think.

Thanks,

Priesh
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#4
You sound as if you're doubting the battery. It's amazing the difference a new battery can make. Yours is getting on anyway. Remove that doubt.

You could check and make sure your cold start injector (CSI) is firing.

Before that, try unplugging the thermotime switch on the side of the water pump, then go for a start.
Rissy
(Forum Member 288)
(DOC Member 663)

May 1981 vin#1458 "LEX"
Grey, Flapped, Black
Chassis: #1073
Engine: #2839

Main Car(s):
2005 BMW M3 in Velvet Blue
2010 Honda Civic Type R in Sapphire Blue (1 of 115 made)
Reply
#5
There's a few handy notes here,

http://support.delorean.com/kb/a60/cold-...ssues.aspx

You might not be getting a spark, check the connections to the coil at the right/back corner of the engine bay.
DOC 116
VIN 6237
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#6
Thanks guys - I'll try some of those as soon as I can. I'm also going to try heating my garage up to see how it fairs when it is a bit warmer.

I will see if I can get a new battery after trying some of the other things, if only to discount that as well.

I'll report back on how it goes.

Cheers!
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#7
Quote:I will see if I can get a new battery after trying some of the other things, if only to discount that as well.
As t'other Chris mentioned a battery is a great start. With the greatest respect to Kris I'm sure he would not mind me saying that he perhaps did not keep on top of servicing/maintaining his car. And it would no doubt benefit from a major service. If nothing else you will know yourself that it has been done.
As mentioned before happy to give you a hand to do it if you get stuck.
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
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#8
Hi - So I finally got it to start! Tried this morning with the thermotime switch disconnected. It still wouldn't start with no throttle, and also would'nt with a bit of throttle.

It eventully started when I cranked with the throttle on full - I read somewhere that this is good in flooded situations as it lets more air in? Is that the case here?

Anyway, I'll try again tomorrow and see how it starts then now it's had a chance to stretch it's legs.
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#9
That certainly works with early V8 jags...but it can take several LONG minutes.

I'd keep your battery on trickle charge. If the battery is fully charged, the only one I've every had that failed to start was due to the ' big round flappy air intake valve thing- being stuck shut. They should start fine with no throttle, if there are no other issues.
Chris Parnham

Ex RHD Auto's etc.etc

Main Car.. Kia E Niro 4+
Toyota Vitz 4X4 1999 (the smallest 4X4 by far!)
Toyota RAV4 EV 1999.
1970 Jago Jeep.

DOC Club Historian 
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#10
Hi all - thanks again for all the input. It started the next day with no issues with just the ignition. The thermotime was disconnected so assuming that is an issue? What would it cause - too much fuel?

I'll try again after leaving it for a week and see if it still good.

@Chris W - Yes I'll get in touch - the fuel filter definitely needs to be done, and a few other things Smile

Cheers!

Priesh
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#11
Could be poor connections at the coil and Ballast resistor along with the connections next to the coil. They can cause all sort of issues.
Chris
Membership Secretary DOC UK
2021's DeLorean event: http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthr...p?tid=6056
VIN#15768 Ex VIN#4584
Reply
#12
It could also bee your feul accumulator. Check if you see any oil on there. If you do, it's probably failing. This wil also cause problems ones the engine runs to warm conditions, then you wait for 5 minutes and the you try and start it again.
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#13
Yes I read about hot start issues related to lack of pressure from the accumulator. I'll check it out at the weekend see if there's any oil present.

I'll also clean up some of the connections if they look a bit worse for wear.
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#14
Still quite variable - started ok last weekend, but this weekend refuses to start. Think I'll need to start doing more troubleshooting when I've got some time.
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply
#15
Turns out it is likely the battery as I tried starting with a battery booster and it started without issue. I did still have the thermotime disconnected so once I have a new battery I'll try it with that reconnected.
#1373 - Black, Manual, Gas Flap

"Marty: Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me that you built a time machine out of a delorean?

Doc: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style..."
Reply


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