Runs, backfires, limps home, now doesn't start :-(

Appreciate if anyone has wise words of wisdom please...

Changed the alternator recently (old one had burnt out diode pack, and alt was rusted solid so couldn't refurb). Took her for first proper run on Wednesday this week... was okay pootling along, but would judder & backfire on boost. I was on my way to meet with Richard down at Ringwood (ironically to return his GTA manuals) and he diagnosed that it wasn't running on all cylinders for some reason. Limped the GTA home.

Went to diagnose the issue today... car won't even turn over Dash lights are on, turn key, nothing (except dash dims), starter doesn't turn. As an aside, the IACV can be heard clicking, haven't heard that before is that normal? Only thing I've done since Wednesday is fit a new drivers door lock solenoid (thanks Martin) but can't see how that would affect anything?

Ran out of light today, but have checked battery and earths. Will check the starter connections tomorrow I guess. After that, she's going to Renault in Salisbury as I've already paid for Brands Hatch and I don't want to miss it

What voltage is the alternator putting out?

Sounds like you have a flat battery.

Was putting out 14.8v, it was the first thing I checked after fitting. Of course, no idea now as it won't even turn over.

Battery is at 12.6v, and I connected a booster pack just to be sure, no difference starter won't turn.

14.8v is pretty high ..
Was that at idle without load ? Could be you are overcharging and the battery is getting cooked .

14.8v is pretty high .
Was that at idle without load ? Could be you are overcharging and the battery is getting cooked .
Check ya earths ....check the main terminals for starter and alt at source and connections at the junctions inner wing .

Old alt was A14N96, replacement is A14N125 but is listed as an alternative so shouldn't be an issue no?

Have checked earths already, ran out of time to check the starter and inner wing junction... tomorrows task.

Mine did this recently after a spell in the garage without use.

For me it was the cap and rotor. I can't remember if in previous threads you said you changed yours so if not be sure to take a look.

Hi

I had all of the symptoms you mentioned above but different issues and symptoms occurring at different times . I found that it was the cable coming from the bulkhead to the back of the solenoid. on the positive terminal on the solenoid. On my atmo, there are two nuts. The first nut holds the cable from the bulkhead and the second connects and holds the positve from the alternator in place. In my case althought the top nut was tight to the second nut, the second nut was very slightly loose to the solenoid allowing the cable from the bulk head to be very slightly loose. This connection gave me missfiring nothing be low 3000 rpm and flat battery symptoms and it was also as if the alternator not charging.

As soon as i sorted this simple issue out it starts better than ever and on the button ...famous last words.lol

Also found that the earth cable from the battety was rubbish. i now run two cables to the bulkhead and the same at the engine end.

I aso checked all connectons to the solenoid and alternator wrre good whilst there any issues with the afore mentioned will cause running issues. The problems with mine being so many starting issues that checking other things means you often disturb other cables and sometimes in a rush to get it running you miss the obvious.

Si21

I hope you didn't have to call the AA to get you home
14.8 volts is Ok as the output is quoted as 13.5-14.8V
It may not just be an earthing problem but it could be a main powerlead from battery to starter, distribution, but it is only guessing at the cause.
Any way, London job has been fixed by telephone so I could visit next Sunday- Monday & see whats happening in day light and not phone light.
The unused grey connector that we found is for the mixture adjustment pot.

Thanks for all the comments.

Only had 10 minutes this morning, but I did manage to confirm the earth circuit to the starter is good (bloody awkward to get to that sucker though - not really designed for ease of access). This evening I'll check whether the starter is actually getting 12v... if it's not then I'll have to figure out why, if it is then the solenoid is gonna get a hammer treatment If that still doesn't work then I would conclude that the solenoid is feckered. Presume these are as hard to find as anything on an Alpine?

JonK: the dizzy is less than year old, but even if it did have moisture it wouldn't stop the engine turning, surely?

Richard: made it home no problems thanks; other than scaring a few villagers when I applied more than 1/2 inch of throttle... pop-pop, bang, shudder, Pop, BANG, BANG!, Pop-pop-pop... Thanks for the offer of assistance, presume you mean Sunday 4th? Let me know PM/text/call, ta.

Have you got two separate issues?

When it was running it was running badly and now it wont start / turn over.

For it not starting how is the battery behaving? do you get ignition and lights etc and then nothing when cranked? Do you get any kind of click when you turn the key to the start position (other than the idle valve)?

If this is the case then it would probably be the battery. When they go they cant provide the cranking current even though you may get 12 volts from them. So lights etc work but nothing on starting. Do you have any history of starter problems? Normally you get a bit of warning with a starter.

Have you got two separate issues?

When it was running it was running badly and now it wont start / turn over.

You're absolutely right Jon... Just been out, 12v at the starter... ensue hammer-fest... she started (although begrudgingly). Ran up the road, still pop/bang but not as bad as Wednesday - today I could get about half-throttle (so she was boosting quite nicely), but flat out would drop power and bang like like a drunk co-ed. Back to home, idling is lumpy (sounds like cylinder misfiring), checked plugs, injectors, leads -all okay. Quick cuppa and going back out to check the dizzy cap now...

Definitely looks like the starter is on it's way out though, anyone got one? Martin?

Again, thanks for all the comments guys, it's nice to have such great support from the club (hope to be able to return the favour someday).

The solenoid wire at the starter gives problems. Give the terminal a clean up and replace the spade connector.

The so would defiately check this lenoid wire at the starter gives problems. Give the terminal a clean up and replace the spade connector.

thats my bet

Hats off to you Jon, I'll buy you a beer or two next meet... took dizzy off (why is everything so bloody difficult to reach on the GTA?)... moisture all over the inside and the contacts were a bit corroded This was a new dizzy in January, so I'm surprised... although the seal design doesn't seem to be that great.

Bit of emery across the contacts, a spray of WD40, cleaned out, dried and refitted. Started her up... no lumpy idle sounded promising, so I went for a 5 minute test run. Ran like a dream, so it turned into an impromptu 30 minute tear-up of the local back lanes (that boost is so addictive ) not a single murmur, let alone a backfire. Result!

Really pleased, seems Cinderella (GTA) will make it to the ball (Brands Hatch) Probably should get the starter looked at/changed soon though

Look forward to seeing some of you on Dec 9th.

Richard: you're still welcome to pop round on Sunday for a chat and a cuppa if you want; I need to bleed the brakes so an extra pair of hands would be useful (and an easi-bleed kit if you've got one )...