Racingshoe Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Having difficulty getting my new engine to fire. Using battery from tintop, engine cranks ok, light on emerald goes green to show crank rotation recognised, then goes back to red. Is this ok ? I've had the engine fire and idle a week or so ago, but had to cure a coolant leak. Now i'm all set, I can't get the thing to fire at all.... I've checked for sparks etc etc, but not sure where to go next.... May need some help on this if anyone is available on an evening this week. 🤔 Now desperate as Emerald appointment on June 3rd and need to run it in yet !! See latest post... Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Edited by - Racingshoe on 23 May 2005 16:15:11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave McCulloch Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Rik I was under the impression the light should remain green all the time you're cranking. If it doesn't, I believe it means the emerald doesn't think the engine is cranking anymore. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Rik Emerald is affected by low volts, if during cranking it drops below around 9v the ECU loses power so it won't start. Other thing to check is do you have fuel pressure? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver-7 Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 It took a few goes to get my 1.9 to crank over, turned out just to need a "hand up" from the tin top battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 Battery is not really a problem - the diesel tintop has an enormous one. Looks like I must figure out why I detect engine rotation, then not.... maybe crank sensor ? This is wierd because it has run before.... Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave McCulloch Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Rik Just tried my 1900 for the first time. I spun it on the starter without plugs in and it spun nice and freely. However, with the plugs now fitted, the compression is resulting the starter struggling to turn the engine at all ☹️. After about half a dozen attempts it was turning so slowly that it was never going to fire. I assume this is normal for a freshly built engine on a caterham (Banner) battery? Looks like I need to get the jump leads out. Can I run jump leads off my tin-top (Impreza) with the tin-top engine running? This should help as I'll be supplying 14v rather than 12v to the seven, and the tin-top battery is quite knackered so I don't want to kill it (just managed to coax it through last winter, although the alarm kept beeping at me on starting indicating a weak battery). Obviously don't want to risk damaging the impreza ecu or alternator. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Can you attach a laptop to the Emerald whilst you are trying to start it? If you can then go to the live readings screen and see if the revs reading is fairly constant whilst turning the engine over on the starter. If it is then the ECU is seeing the crank position sensor OK. If it's not and it's bouncing around then either the crank position sensor wires are reversed or the pick up pattern setting is wrong. Oh and have you got the sensor wiring connectors on the right sensors? IIRC the blue connector goes to the crank position sensor, it can apparently get mixed up with one of the other (Inlet temp?) sensor connectors very easily. Edited by - Grim Reaper on 22 May 2005 19:00:09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Grim reaper is on the money, my guess would be the crank trigger setting. Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 Thanks guys. I've double-checked my wiring, and it is correct. Luckily I got a labelling machine before I pulled everything apart over the winter, to avoid mistakes. I agree that it looks like the trigger pattern, but my emerald is one of the early 16-bit versions and I can't see that setting anywhere in the software. Am I missing something (don't say a 32-bit M3DK !!) ? Ta PS - Dave M - Use the tintop battery - it's the only way to get the thing going for the fist time. Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Rik, on the 32bit versions it's under Setup (on the top tabs) then ECU configuration and Main trigger..Pattern. You would need to count the number of holes or missing teeth in the flywheel pattern and match it up. It may be that it's reset to a default pattern for some reason. The laptop connected whilst trying to start it is the best way to tell if it's getting the right signals. I speak from experience.I had a bugger of a time getting my engine started the first time. And to reiterate someone elses post, can you hear the fuel pump priming when you turn the ignition on? If not then it may be that the fuel rollover switch has been activated or a wire is off/fuse blown in the fuel pump circuit. Edited by - Grim Reaper on 22 May 2005 23:24:06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 I've double-checked the crank sensor wiring and it's ok. Fuel pump primes, and injectors are blowing fuel. Can't get the damn thing to fire. Now desperate to get it working as I have an Emerald appointment in less than 2 weeks. I'll send it away to a garage and pay to get it running now..... anywhere in the Bristol area recommended ? Would Millwood be able to bugger around with it ? Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannY OrB TuneR Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Rik I have left you a message on your mobile. Speak later. Gary GrannY OrB TuneR 😳 Tweaker Of Fine Granny Orbs ! 😳 Superlight No: 170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Dixon Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Last year had exactly the same problem. It was the flywheel sensor.The centre pole had worn away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 24, 2005 Author Share Posted May 24, 2005 Took out the flywheel sensor, and gave it a good clean. Emerald green light is constant now which is encouraging. Almost had it firing/catching last night, but was running out of kick on the tintop battery. I think I either need a tow, or some mega jump-leads. Getting very anxious now as I don't have a lot of time left. Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannY OrB TuneR Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 Rik I have a decent set of jump leads. Let me know if u want them & I'll drop them round. Good to see progress is being made Gary GrannY OrB TuneR 😳 Tweaker Of Fine Granny Orbs ! 😳 Superlight No: 170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 24, 2005 Author Share Posted May 24, 2005 Gary - yes please !! Tonight ?? Thanks for your message - picked it up late as I was in the garage all evening. Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannY OrB TuneR Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 See you tonight around 19:00 to 19:30. Gary GrannY OrB TuneR 😳 Tweaker Of Fine Granny Orbs ! 😳 Superlight No: 170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racingshoe Posted May 24, 2005 Author Share Posted May 24, 2005 Thanks *thumbup* Rik Robarts - bl**dy bright orange 1900k here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 Gary to the rescue.... Good luck Rik. *thumbup* Grant back in Scotland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 Rik, Any joy tonight in getting it going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannY OrB TuneR Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 No did not work out as Rik was held up by traffic ☹️ so by the time he got home it was a little late to start annoying the neighbours. He has jump leads & I think he may try & start her up this morning. GrannY OrB TuneR 😳 Tweaker Of Fine Granny Orbs ! 😳 Superlight No: 170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manxseven Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Is it going 🤔 ☹️ L7 BDA Supersprint Joy here 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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