Corsa won't start with new ht leads/plugs/dist cap

[trastevere]

Last week went to start car and battery was flat. It had been standing for about a week in cold damp weather. Didn't have someone I could get a jump start off immediately so decided to clean plugs etc. Anyway, broke a ht lead in the process so went and bought new set of leads and new plugs and new distributor cap fully expecting an instant start from jump leads. Tried jump leads but engine just turns but doesn't make any attempt to fire Inspected two of the brand new plugs and these are wet with petrol although one has oily black petrol on it soit seems not to be a fuel problem.Model is 1.2LS Corsa 1993/4 M reg with orange distributor cap. Need car desperately. Any help much appreciated

[Panic Button]

New battery?

Also have you definitely got the new leads on the right plugs?

[cazzz1975]

chances are all the power that the jump leads are supplying is being used up by the starter motor, leaving nothing for the plugs.

I suggest you get the battery partially charged, you can do this by attaching your car to the car you use for jumping
leave the engine running on this car, meanwhile
leave everything on your car switched off

After 15 mins, make sure the electrics( heater/radio) is off then try starting it. another good trick could be using easy start in the air intake

you need to charge you battery, or buy a new one if its failing to hold a charge

[trastevere]

Tried jump starting from another car with engine running. Double checked leads - they are all fitted in correct order.

[cazzz1975]

dont try to start it, just leave it connected to the other car, it will put some charge into your battery, after 15 mins try starting it (make sure all electrics off on your car)

have you done this?

[trastevere]

Hi cazzz1975. Won't be able to do it now for a couple of days. Might even have to be next weekend. Have ordered new rotor arm and will keep you posted on future developments.

[Panic Button]

Save your money on the rotor arm.
Buy a new battery.

Since it failed when the battery was flat, why are you suspecting everything except the battery?

[trastevere]

Thanks Cazzz and Panic Button. Finally back on road today at unnecessary expense of new leads, plugs. dizzie cap, rotor arm , damp start, wd40, petrol can (put gallon in in case gauge was faulty) and hours of frustration. Spent around �60 and still may have to buy battery! Would you believe dizzie caps now �13+? You were quite right Panic Button. Leads were wrongly fitted to dizzie cap. Would have sworn they were in right firing order but hadn't taken 'anticlockwise' element into account. Just swapped two of them over and it fired up a dream. Thanks for your help and New Year Greetings to you both

[pullenski]

hi there im having the same problem you did, could u possibly let me no what the order was? i took my cables off and didnt take note of the order, any help would be appreciated, luke

[trastevere]

Hi Luke


Apologies if it sounds like I'm explaining in ridiculously simple terms but believe me, I'm not stupid but I must have checked leads a dozen times before I realised mistake. Anyway, I've just been out to the car looked, and heres what to do. Open bonnet and stand by nearside wing. Looking straight at distributor name the lead connections TOP LEFT -TOP RIGHT. ..BOTTOM LEFT - BOTTOM RIGHT. Now on cycinder block FURTHEST spark plug NUMBER 1 then 2, 3 and 4 NEAREST to you. Connect as follows:- 1sp to TOP RIGHT-- 2sp to BOTTOM RIGHT --3sp to TOP LEFT -- 4sp to BOTTOM LEFT. Hope this helps, Regards, John

[sparky2010]

I have the same problem. After you remove the dist. cap try starting the engine. The rotor arm should rotate. If it does not there is a 13mm nut holding the distributor on. Remove this and the Y-clamp. Note the position of the distributor and gently prise it off. The engine and distributor line up with a locating pin. This is broken and the fault on my car, hence the rotor arm not turning when the engine does.