Engine won't turn over.

[E30Rookie37]

What could be causing this? I just tuned up everything. It won't start for a long time and then I'll go back an hour later and it will start right up.

[jlevie]

If the starter rotates the engine, it is turning over. If it fails to fire it isn't starting. Which condition do you have?

[E30Rookie37]

I do believe the starter is turning the engine but it's not firing. That's what it sounds like.

[jlevie]

Check to see if the engine has spark and if the fuel rail has 34-37psi of pressure when cranking the engine.

[E30Rookie37]

How would one go about checking the fuel pressure?

[jlevie]

By teeing in a pressure gauge on the line that connects to the fuel rail.

[E30Rookie37]

Thank you I will do that.

[Wishno87]

So it cranks but doesn't fire yes? Check voltage to the coil, resistance on flywheel position sensors, and cap and rotor to start. I had all kinds of fun with my eta last year :curse:

[ck_taft325is]

So it cranks but doesn't fire yes? Check voltage to the coil, resistance on flywheel position sensors, and cap and rotor to start. I had all kinds of fun with my eta last year :curse:

Definitely check the CPS and all of your wires out.

I had this exact problem with my ETA about a 3 years ago. Turned out my wires where really, really old... go figure.

[E30Rookie37]

Definitely check the CPS and all of your wires out.

I had this exact problem with my ETA about a 3 years ago. Turned out my wires where really, really old... go figure.

I just did a tune-up last week but the only thing I didn't change were the wires...one of the connections going to one of the spark plugs looked kinda sad. I just bought a starter thinking that was the issue but then I tried to start my car and it fired right up so I didn't even touch the starter... I guess I need to buy a multimeter and a pressure gauge to check on some stuff too.

[E30Rookie37]

Also would there be a chart of sorts in my Bentley that tells me what voltage should be what and where?

[Wishno87]

Also would there be a chart of sorts in my Bentley that tells me what voltage should be what and where?

Yes your bentley will give you the specifics of what I mentioned.

[E30Rookie37]

Yes your bentley will give you the specifics of what I mentioned.

Excellent. Thanks or being a ton of help.:D

[artoo93]

Check your ground as well. I just had a problem where the engine and starter were not getting a good ground and wouldn't turn over or would turn over slowly. Made a new ground and no issues on that front. Now if the tranny hadn't just quit.....

[call me jack]

establish that you first have fuel pressure.

then do the above stated. i found that that crank and reference sensors on the eta are shit, some times... (not saying thats what you have going on, but it's possible)

Personally i would do this after determining that i have fuel pressure:
The bently describes a pin out of all the motronic 1.0 inputs (page 6-48 in my book), except the crank and reference sensors, which should be able to test at the connecting points on top of the valve cover (i think thats where they are on the '86)

i would check all of the inputs from the main harness and see what/if something comes up out of spec.

Edit: lets be clear briefly, because you never actually established; you do have an eta, right?