- My model of MX-5 is: Eunos
- I’m based near: Walsall
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Enging cranking but not starting.
Hi,
I’ve got a 1994 1.8L Turbo mx5 eunos its been running fine until about a week ago where it just won’t start but cranks, it doesn’t seem to be getting any spark. I’ve had a mobile auto electrian out and he got it started and reckons the immobiliser is stopping it. Its a selca system it was on the car when I brought it.
It ran fine for a couple of days and now its not igniting again. I’m going to phone him to tell him I want the immobiliser removing completely.
Do you reckon this is the case? Thank you for any help in advance.
If the mechanic got it started and it ran fine, a good chance that the aftermarket immobiliser is the issue.
He has basically proven that the fault is intermittent, unless he did something else to bypass the feed to say the fuel pump relay.
This was probably fitted 20 years or so ago and is now past its sell by date.
Removal should be straightforward; I am surprised he did not remove it there and then?
Thanks for the reply, he checked the fuel relay and a few other bits. Yeah thats what I was thinking he got it started so knows whats wrong.
As for removal he didn’t have the time as I was a last minute call out. I’ve just been getting annoyed as to what else it could possibly be if not the immobiliser. Bloody cars!
Again thank you
Did he not tell you how he got it started?
We had a AM Imob on our Eunos and the issue was just that the induction loop that was in the steering wheel housing and dropped down meaning it was further away from the fob than expected when trying to start the car. Therefore starting the car became a random event until we discovered it. Moving the loop back up to the correct position solved the issue.
Our Imob also has a ‘fail safe’ ignition sequence to disable the Imob by turning the ignition on and off in a sequence while watching the indicator light for feedback. Not sure if you have the docs that will tell you how to do that somewhere in the paperwork if it has a similar mechanism.
Unfortunately I was at work while he was doing it my parents were in but they just left him to it.
I’ve been looking to see if I could find the model of the selca system but haven’t been able to find any paper work.
I’m going to get it removed anyway atleast it completely gets rid of that issue then. I’ve got a tracker and quick release steering wheel so I’ve got some anti-theft.
A little update.
Immobiliser was removed and it does seem to have helped but not fixed the issue. The car will fire but takes sometime, I’ve ordered a new cas to fit. I’m also ordering a new coil pack and HT leads. Its booked it for a major service also to help. Also a Compression test will be done
Also when it’s sat for a day or two when turning the ignition but not starting the car makes a pop noise almost like its igniting fuel. However when she starts it pulls strong, idles fine and is a joy to drive.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Josh
Have you tried a diagnostic check on the car? It now sounds like the engine is cycling enough to produce meaning diagnostic error information.
The CAS was posted today but I fear it is not the issue.
If there were a coilpack issue, the 4 pin coilpack associated with this car can let go in a big way, spiking the ecu. That is usually a complete show stopper though as track taken out and a complete non start.
My card is included with the CAS, so if the issue remains unresolved, call me to discuss.
Thank you will do, could this just be a timing issue? Its running an me221 ecu
Turbo, oh heck of course it is.
me221 has its own diagnostic regime, doesn’t it?
The fuel pop/ignite does sound like timing.
Are you in any position to step back to a stock ecu?
I don’t have the old ecu, unfortunately i brought the car with everything already installed. I also don’t have the equipment to plug it in the usb connector is in the glovebox for it and i dont know what im messing with to be honest