CJH Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 evening Gents and LadiesHave just finished building the front half of my 310. Still have the prop backwards to contend with but before I tackle that I thought I would fire her up. Oil and water are in of course and car turns over fine but she won’t start. I have put about 17 litres of fuel in and the fuel gauge shows about 30% full. Battery fully chargedI cant see any oil pressure when turning over (needle judges slightly back (yes, to the left) when I turn her over but that’s it. Have tested the inertia switch and that seems ok. I don’t get an engine light when I switch on (left hand one inset in tacho) but not sure if I should.Any of you clever people have any bright ideas please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2019 Member Share Posted March 24, 2019 Can you hear the fuel pump when you switch the ignition on?What's the battery voltage at rest and as you try to start?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 Hi Jonathan. Not sure I can hear the fuel pump. Is it in the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Try pressing top of inertia switch. Click resets it. Have you followed immobiliser disarming procedure ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Fuel pump is in tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixa1225 Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Need a minium of 25 Litres on a Sigma . The pump needs to prime to be able scavenge and you need to cover the bowl to do that. After that you can run it from almost dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 You will hear the sigma fuel pump when you turn on the battery isolation key if fitted to your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 I have turned the ignition on and there is no noise from the tank. Bit of a whirring from the dash but nowt else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 So more fuel then! Wish I had bought a bigger can. Luckily the Shell garage is only a half mile away.thanks everyone. I will do several fuel runs to tomorrow and let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtrMint Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Guys,Shouldn't CJH see some oil pressure first, from the original post he isn't getting pressure? Isn't that more of an issue.The inertia switch and fuel will stop the engine firing, but if there is no oil pressure at present then surely you want to avoid firing?When I recently started mine I followed the advice of removing the plugs, disabling the fuel pump via the inertia switch and spinning the motor over with the starter. The engine quickly developed oil pressure. I know mine is a Duratec but surely the Sigma is the same in this regard. I think the assembly implies as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Mark is right, it is essential to check you have oil pressure before firing up the engine. No need to worry about the engine light. It is not connected to the ecu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 So I now have a car full of fuel and no joy. I have removed a spark plug and earthed it whilst turning over the engine - no spark. I have taken out the inertia switch and bridged it just to be sure. The battery voltage is 12.5 at rest and 10.8 when cranking. I still can’t hear the petrol pump but I will worry about that when I have a spark.any bright ideas gratefully received. I pretty much guarantee it will be something stupid I have or haven’t done :) thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue C7 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Can you access the pump to check that it has alive feed to it with the ignition on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Just seen the notes re oil pressure, thanks. I had assumed it was the gauge but it’s a good call. I should verify that.so, no oil pressure and no spark - in hindsight I am not sure why I was worrying about fuel :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 You haven't confirmed immobiliser operation... that kills the fuel pump. Or it may be a sensor disconnected ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Thanks. The immobiliser seems to be operating as intended. Light is flashing when ignition off and extinguished when i turn to second key position. You are right, it may be a sensor. Cant see anything wrong though :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Do you have to hold the fob next to a receiver to switch immobiliser off ... it's just a key suspect in this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 It’s a good call as I have no spark. I have taken the immobiliser fob off an turned the key. The light goes from slow flashing to fast and then when I present the fob near enough the light goes off. Still no spark though :(i need to sort the oil pressure first of course but it would be good to have a spark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Blyth Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 We had the same on our build last year; plenty of fuel, engine turning over, immobiliser off, inertia switch working, but no noise from the fuel pump (you'll know it when you hear it, just a brief whirring from the boot when you turn the ignition on). After much checking, double checking, calls to Derek, etc. I called out an auto electrician who diagnosed a bent pin in the plug connecting to the fuel pump. Bingo! Pin was straightened and she started immediately, while he backed off quickly as the two of us danced around the car like a couple of loonies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybee Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Fuel issues are easy to rule out with a blast of easy start down the inlet. As you have no spark I'd be looking at loom/coil/ecu connections and earth straps though. The best way to start would be to ensure the coils are receiving a signal but you'll need an oscilloscope for that. If in any doubt about the spark, start with the easy start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtrMint Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Given my recent experience of how my fuse/relay box was assembled, I'd check to make sure none of the wires are loose. I spent days hunting for a reason why my fan wouldn't kick in, all along it was a loose connection on the relay.I'd grab a torch and have a look at the wires at the back for the panel see if any appear to be loose or poorly seated. Removing the panel is really easy too, and I'm a complete novice too. Just remove top and bottom relay and unbolt two bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Have a look at the multi plug connector at the bottom of the coil pack just incase it has taken a knock during the install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Thanks Guys. All good advice and I have tried every connection that could be loose or be re-seated. I am hoping that because I have no spark AND no fuel coming through, someone will go “ ahh! That will be ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Bad earth? Does everything else work - dash lights, headlights, rear lights etc.? Any strange electrical behaviour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJH Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Hi Charlesdash lights are on but to be honest I haven’t connected lights etc yet. I wanted to make sure the engine worked before I put prop shaft in and connected all the ancillaries. Just in case the engine needed to come out again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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