Hello from Newbie and a question..

[Gary C]

Hi All

Quick introduction bit here - name's Gary (bet you guessed), 48, married 2 kids. Hobbies are shooting and sadly DIY.  Nice forum, thanks for having me, I hope to stick around, learn and maybe start to contribute at some point

I am looking to buy a Vitara/SJ as an off road truck as a shooting vehicle, maybe a bit of off roading for fun.  I was offered a "K" Vit for £600, very clean and smooth.  Just as we were about to pay we tried to start it again and the following symptoms were apparent:

Ignition on - ticking on the fuel pump relays
Ticking on a couple of valves (air / fuel at the front of the engine on top)
Starter turns
No ignition

We had to leave but if he can't get it going I may be offered it for a knockdown price.

Anybody have any idea what the problem could be?


TIA

Gary

[Mighty_zuke]

Hi gary. Mine had the same problem. Nothing happening from the starter motor unless you put a spaner accross the terminals. I ended up putting in a new wire from the ignition to a push button and then onto the starter motor. It works fine now. I think its something to do with a switch that only allows the car to be started wth the clutch depressed!

Hope this helps!

[Mighty_zuke]

Sorry... I just reread it and you starter is turning so its not the same problem. Have you checked the rotor arm in the dizzy?

[Gary C]

Nope - the car is 90 miles away electronic ignition.

The clicking in the relays worries me - sounds like Volts then no volts etc.  Possibly short or more likely ECU?

[Mighty_zuke]

Electronic ignition is a bit to complex for me, so I have no idea mate. I have only worked on the carb models. I'm sure someone will be along soon who is a bit more helpfull though.

[wheelspinner]

£600 sounds a lot for a non runner.

I assume you have checked all the the earths,the fuses,ECU connection plug and the battery connection (and that it is charged,might be worth putting the voltmeter on it).My Freelander TD4 used to pull the same trick found out the battery was on its last legs.Is it getting fuel and and sparks at the plugs.

After that i am thinking ECU you might get lucky and find one from one of the forums(here, Difflock etc).If not i think there is a guy called the ECU doctor on the web who may be able to help.

Oh and tell us where you are in the world..... :D We might know someone who can help local

regards

Steve

P.S Hello Mike.

[Mighty_zuke]

Hi steve. Hows the sj pickup getting on?

[Evilgoat]

Hi All

Quick introduction bit here - name's Gary (bet you guessed), 48, married 2 kids. Hobbies are shooting and sadly DIY.  Nice forum, thanks for having me, I hope to stick around, learn and maybe start to contribute at some point

I am looking to buy a Vitara/SJ as an off road truck as a shooting vehicle, maybe a bit of off roading for fun.  I was offered a "K" Vit for £600, very clean and smooth.  Just as we were about to pay we tried to start it again and the following symptoms were apparent:

Ignition on - ticking on the fuel pump relays
Ticking on a couple of valves (air / fuel at the front of the engine on top)
Starter turns
No ignition

We had to leave but if he can't get it going I may be offered it for a knockdown price.

Anybody have any idea what the problem could be?


TIA

Gary

Pop the top of the dizzy off, give it a good wipe out and replace. Check the state of the rotor arm too.

Check for a spark at the plugs and then if nothing, at the center cap of the dizzy. If theres nothing here then disconnect and reconnect the hall sensor wire from the dizzy, if it has run in the past something is probobly just gunked up/corroded.

I wouldnt have thought an ecu will spontaneously die because its been left, thankfully the ECU is very basic in the zooks and loads of people wade in blaming the ECU when even the basics like above havent been checked.

[wheelspinner]

Mike

It should be a lot better this weekend i am due to get a half decent Samurai body and chassis.I then have a garage full of refurbed pits to stick on it......Then its a case of "watch this space".

Regards

Steve

[Mighty_zuke]

Sounds good steve. Hope to see it out and about soon!