Won't Start, I have a 75 1.8L engine. A month ago the car started and drove just fine. Two weeks later it won't start. Options

[Double D]

I have a 75 1.8L engine. A month ago the car started and ran just fine. Two weeks later the car would not start. The headlights come on but still doesn't start. I checked the battery, started motor, ground to the chassis, fuses, relay board, ignition coil and ignition switch. I can jump the starter motor with a screwdriver. I'm just not getting juice to the solenoid switch. Any suggestion

[ClayPerrine]

If your engine will crank but not fire, then remember "FAST"

F = Fuel. Make sure you are getting fuel into the engine. If it is carbed, look down the bores and open the throttle. You should see the acclerator pumps squirt fuel in to the bores. With D-Jet injection, pull the injectors and put them in small glass jars (shot glasses work great". Disconnect power to the coil and crank the engine. See if the jars fill up with gas.

A= Air. for carbs, this is simple, but it applies to both FI and carbs. Make sure you don't have any air leaks in the system. Check all the hoses and lines on an FI system.

S-= Spark. Make sure you have spark all the way to the plugs. (don't forget to reconnect the power at the coil after testing for fuel). It could be lots of things there.

T= Timing. Follow the manual and make sure the ignition fires at the right time. * degrees before top dead center works great as a starting point. Once you get it running, you can set the timing with a light.

If you want a quick and dirty test, just shoot some carb cleaner into the engine. If it fires and then dies, you have a fuel system issue. If it doesn't, you know the ignition system is not working.


Good luck!