OK, enuff of this "Try this, try that".... no disrespect to those who have made suggestions, but I am still at a total loss!! Please remember, I am NOT a mechanic in any shape or form - especially on a Zed. I am now well over five weeks (!!) without success at starting this thing and I've reached THAT stage... I've replaced a Series2 PTU with another Series2 ('cause that was what it felt like when the car first stopped running in the middle of the road - bloody heavy to push and steer on your own too!!). Didn't help. Replaced the fuel pump; drained all fuel (tank had just been filled... 72 litres!) and replaced with fresh 98oct. Earthed fuel computer thingo... then returned it to original. Checked wiring connections to PTU - again - and again. Didn't get to play with CAS 'cause, frankly, I don't bloody well know what I'm doing! I've replaced fuses and relays and, unless something just keeps blowing, I'm clueless!! I can't understand why the thing was running, seemingly OK, and then just faded at the lights.... at least it was close enough to be towable rather that having to be recovered halfway to Newcastle and Berrima as in the past...!! I NEED someone to please come and check this thing PROPERLY!! Obviously I am prepared to pay to get it running... so any help will be much appreciated! Mike 02 866 55735
CAS process is pretty simple. If you need a lil further clarification on the process, shoot me a PM. Still a lil disillusioned that nobody has come to help. I'm down in Melbourne next Sunday, driving home to Queensland. If nobody has come to your aid by then, will make a pitstop with ecu talk and a few specific tools and give you a hand. -Michael
You have three very experienced workshops within spitting distance of the printing factory -if you're willing to pay for time why not get it towed to one? Do you have NRMA coverage? If yes you can get it towed for free; and yes they have vehicles available that can tow low Zeds etc
I probably have the same problem. Changed the PTU and yes it started but it does this if I leave it stand for a few days. There seems to be a fuel problem of some sort. I am tracking down at extreme expense. The car starts when 2 or 3 injectors are unplugged and then just plug them back in and runs as good as ever on occasion but I suspect very rich. The engine has been replaced with minor mods like chip, pistons, turbos and injectors. Without access to a dyno the prospects are grim. If you have found the problem I would love to know the answer (other than sell it and get something else). If you haven't found the problem try and unplug a couple of injectors it wont hurt the engine.
Thanks for the suggestion... I am currently working thru (again!) some of the suggestions from OZX320, badxtc and others. I think you're right about the need for a diagnostic approach ('dyno').... they sure can be a tricky proposition - just so advanced electronics-wise for their age!
Dyno will be no use if it won't start. Recently a qld member had starting issues. After the usuals were changed (even down to new fuel pump etc) it turned out to be an alarm/immobiliser issue. Removed alarm, problem gone.
Yes, Zeds are very complex, but bring it back to basics. To start an engine, you need to crank it, it needs a fuel air mix in the cylinders, it needs to compress the fuel air mixture, then it needs a healthy spark to ignite it at the right time. This applies to Zeds, Ferraris and HR Holdens . Yours is cranking which is a good start. If it 'faded at the lights', then it's probable that the engine's not busted, so it will still compress air - another good thing. Just make sure you haven't had a cam belt failure - that will certainly stop any action! That only leaves whether you are getting fuel into the cylinders, and whether you are getting a good spark at the right time. Someone mentioned alarms - they will most probably be hooked up to cut out engine cranking, ignition and fuel supply in that order. Make sure if you have an alarm, that it is all still hooked up OK and working well. Put it into Valet mode if it has one, just to try to eliminate it as a cause. Right, fuel and spark. Either one can be tried first. For fuel, make sure that the injectors are firing (you should be able to hear them click if you have your ear close to them when the engine is turned over. It helps to grab a long screwdriver or something metal and rest it on or near the injector, then put your ear close to the other end. The 'click' sound of the injector opening and closing travels up the metal bar, and makes it easier to hear. Also, grab a can of aerostart spray or my personal favorite, the aptly named "Start Ya Bastard!" (really). Have someone else crank the engine while you spray the can into one of the intake pipes of the engine. Any firing or real attempts for the engine to start usually mean that you have a fuel supply problem - maybe no injectors are firing, or your fuel pump has had it. It won't be 'bad fuel' unless it is full of water. Most engines will at least fire on even very old very low octane fuel - they just won't be driveable. If that doesn't help, ie the engine is probably getting fuel, then start looking at ignition. The easiest low tech way to check the ignition is to grab a timing light and an old ignition lead from a car with a distributor (or buy a new one - they're only a few dollars - the lead, that is). Remove coilpack 1 and plug the ignition lead from the coilpack to the spark plug. Connect the timing light as per its instructions - usually onto the battery, and then a clamp on the spark plug lead, usually with a polarity facing towards the plug. Get someone to crank the engine over, pull the trigger on the timing light, and see if it flashes with every engine revolution. If it flashes, then there is enough spark getting to the spark plug. See how you go with the above, and let us all know what you find. Also, but unlikely to be a cause in your case, in my experience, I've found that Zeds don't like old, weak batteries. They will start and run, but run crap. Also, if they don't start quickly, they can wet the spark plugs with unburned fuel, which makes the plugs not want to fire. Thye do dry out after an hour or so though. Hope this helps!
start by swapping out your ecu. i see so many with fried ecu's due to cutting inj connectors and not disconnecting the battery ect. and if its not the ecu you only wasted ten minutes of your time
Hi, Don't know if this will help, but have you checked your battery? My Z, wasn't running properly and sometimes would just cut out for now reason while I was driving and I couldn't get it to start again even with a jump. Changed the battery to 700cc from 520cc and it runs perfect now.
you haven't plumbed your fuel lines in the wrong way round. from the fuel rail to the filter and the return to the tank have you. just a thought if you've had it off and been stressed with it.
The zed just died while driving . He hasnt fiddled with anything . It would be something electrical given out or corroded .
