Trouble Shooter

FAULT	CAUSE	CURE
Starter will not turn engine (headlights dim)	1. Battery low	1. Charge battery and check charging system.
	2. Faulty battery	2. Fit new battery.
	3. Corroded battery cables or loose connections	3. Clean battery connections or replace battery leads. Tighten battery and startermotor connections.
	4. Starter jammed	4. Free starter.
	5. Seized engine	5. Remove spark-plugs to confirm.
Starter will not turn engine (headlights bright)	1. Faulty starter solenoid	1. Replace solenoid.
	2. Faulty starter engagement (starter-motor whine)	2. Clean or replace starter bendix.
	3. Faulty starter	3. Repair or replace starter motor.
	4. Faulty ignition switch	4. Fit new switch.
Engine turns slowly but will not start	1. Battery low	1. Charge battery and check charging system.
	2. Faulty battery	2. Replace battery.
	3. Corroded battery leads or loose connections	3. Clean battery connections or -replace battery leads. Tighten connections.
	4. Faulty starter	4. Repair or replace starter motor.
Engine turns but will not fire	1. Ignition fault	Check for spark at plug lead.
	2. No spark at plug lead	2. Check coil output to confirm high or low-tension fault. If spark from coil, check HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, parti-cularly for cracks, tracking or dampness. If no spark from coil, check ignition-coil connections and contact-breaker points for short circuits or disconnection.
	3. Spark at plug lead	3. Remove air cleaner from carburettor and check choke operation. Loosen petrolpipe union at carburettor. Turn engine by starter for a mechanical pump, or switch on ignition for electric pump. Check if petrol is being delivered.
	4. Fuel reaching carburettor	4. Look into carburettor mouth. Operate throttle and observe whether damp or dry. If dry, clean jets and needle valve. If damp, remove spark-plugs, dry, clean and check gaps.
	5. No fuel to carburettor	5. Remove petrol-tank cap and check for fuel.
	6. Car with electric fuel pump	6. Check pump has a good earth and give pump a sharp tap. If it starts pumping, which will be heard, replace pump. If not fuel lines may be blocked.
	7. Car with mechanical pump	7. Remove pump-top cover, clean pump filter and make sure the cover, when refitted, is airtight. Check flexible pipe to pump for air leaks.
Engine backfires	1. Ignition timing faulty	1. Check and reset ignition timing.
	2. Damp distributor cap and leads	2. Dry thoroughly and check firing order.