Topic

Thanks Paul,
Still unsure if it IS fuel related though.

One thing I have noticed is a kind of clunk / screech just AFTER she fires up?

but it's deffo not like a belt slipping noise - not the best audio description from me. Might try to get Paula to start it tonight while i video to get the exact noise.

Forgot to say that on Friday night when it started then failed, it made some rough chugging noises then died again, wouldn't start.

That was new, which led me to think fuel related problems?

Something that can happen is the crank pulley can come loose and it wears the locating key allowing the pulley to move, throwing the timing out.
With the 'clunk' and screeching, I'm just wondering if this is happening. The crank pulley is moving slightly so the timing is sometimes out far enough to make starting difficult.

Check the pulley area for the source of your clunk when somebody else starts the car.

Todays events:

Car started ok, drove to supermarket, spent 10 mins in supermarket and car started fine so drove to work.

Car started after work ok, drove to mother in laws to pick up our lad. spent 15 mins in MIL's and car won't start.

Disconnected ECU - nothing
Disconnected battery for 15 mins - had a cuppa - still wont start.
Wiggled relays behind ECU - nothing.

Car is now stranded outside MIL's at the minute.

Crank sensor wiggled....just a little bit. (Sporting a new cut on my arm now).

Car still wouldn't start.

Still abandoned outside Mother in laws.


Crank sensor is getting replaced asap.
Any tips on the best access and way to do it?

The RAVE CD tells me that Mems3 should be done from below (once the car is on axle stands).

I had a look from the inspection gap last night and it looks quite hard to reach, but i'm sure i'll get in there somehow.

Maybe i'll get Paula to do it, she has slimmer arms than me...

Sounds like a plan to me!

Tonight, i dislocated my arm at the shoulder & wrist and grew a third eye on my fingertip to set about removing, cleaning and replacing the CPS.

decided that going in from the top through the inspection hatch was my best route as i could just about make out where it was and being in my 40's means i no longer am able to fit underneath the car.

Mission accomplished:

it made no difference. Car still just turning over and refusing to fire.

re-wiggled fuses, ECU connectors, disconnected battery and had a cuppa, reconnected after a while...Still nothing.

Called in the rescue team, while waiting took the roof up from the back, removed carpet & dead dog from parcel shelf and was just removing the last screw from the inspection cover when they arrived.

He squirted some 'easy start' in the airbox, it fired!
then died.

he squirted a bit more...nothing.

I then got the car home on the back of his truck:

he even helped push it into our garage and it sits there now.

I need a beer.

If it fired up with easy start then it has to be fuel related.Check the fuel pump and its electrical connection.

I asked the breakdown guy about the fuel pump "Where is it and what does it look like?"

he didn't know.

Is there just the one in the fuel tank, under the round cover?

Yes, in the tank. Have you tried the fuel pump relay??