Trouble Shooter
FAULTCAUSECURE
Starter will not turn engine (headlights dim)1. Battery low1. Charge battery and check charging system.
2. Faulty battery2. Fit new battery.
3. Corroded battery cables or loose connections3. Clean battery connections or replace battery leads. Tighten battery and startermotor connections.
4. Starter jammed4. Free starter.
5. Seized engine5. Remove spark-plugs to confirm.
Starter will not turn engine (headlights bright)1. Faulty starter solenoid1. Replace solenoid.
2. Faulty starter engagement (starter-motor whine)2. Clean or replace starter bendix.
3. Faulty starter3. Repair or replace starter motor.
4. Faulty ignition switch4. Fit new switch.
Engine turns slowly but will not start1. Battery low1. Charge battery and check charging system.
2. Faulty battery2. Replace battery.
3. Corroded battery leads or loose connections3. Clean battery connections or -replace battery leads. Tighten connections.
4. Faulty starter4. Repair or replace starter motor.
Engine turns but will not fire1. Ignition faultCheck for spark at plug lead.
2. No spark at plug lead2. Check coil output to confirm high or low-tension fault. If spark from coil, check HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, parti-cularly for cracks, tracking or dampness. If no spark from coil, check ignition-coil connections and contact-breaker points for short circuits or disconnection.
3. Spark at plug lead3. Remove air cleaner from carburettor and check choke operation. Loosen petrolpipe union at carburettor. Turn engine by starter for a mechanical pump, or switch on ignition for electric pump. Check if petrol is being delivered.
4. Fuel reaching carburettor4. Look into carburettor mouth. Operate throttle and observe whether damp or dry. If dry, clean jets and needle valve. If damp, remove spark-plugs, dry, clean and check gaps.
5. No fuel to carburettor5. Remove petrol-tank cap and check for fuel.
6. Car with electric fuel pump6. Check pump has a good earth and give pump a sharp tap. If it starts pumping, which will be heard, replace pump. If not fuel lines may be blocked.
7. Car with mechanical pump7. Remove pump-top cover, clean pump filter and make sure the cover, when refitted, is airtight. Check flexible pipe to pump for air leaks.
Engine backfires1. Ignition timing faulty1. Check and reset ignition timing.
2. Damp distributor cap and leads2. Dry thoroughly and check firing order.