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Hi all,

A "car won't start" thread. Hopefully you all can point me in the right direction.

Car: 1991 R32 GTR

Condition: Car turns over (cranks) but won't start.

Car died while driving. It was low on gas at the time so I assumed the fuel had run out. Topping it up with 10L didn't help, so I assumed fuel pump or fuel filter. Clean fuel is coming out the top of the fuel filter and the fuel pump primes, so it's OK there.

Facts:

  • First three cylinders have spark (only tested the first three)
  • Injectors are clicking (simple metal to injector and listen test proves that they are doing some work)
  • Fuel is pumping from the top of the fuel filter
  • ECU shows no error codes (all fine)
  • All fuses are OK

I considered AFM or air being an issue, but that wouldn't stop the car from firing up. The fact its turning over, fuel is pumping and the spark plugs have spark indicate that the ECU must be OK.

Does anyone have an idea of the next place to look?

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This might sound silly, but, were you driving hard when it cut out? Only reason I am asking is, if you have a big air leak, ie intercooler hose popped off, then it will crank and crank but almost never fire.

Another thing when you checked for spark, how did the spark plugs look? clean?

And try to take off the fuel line and prime the car, fuel will come out.

But by the sounds of things, I think you are not getting fuel.

Another thing, do you smell fuel in the bonnet after cranking it?

I'd be checking for air leaks or the afm wiring seeing as you have fuel and spark. Even if your fuel pump was stuffed but still providing some pressure you will get it to start, maybe not idle after that though.

Anyway, check all intake joiners Id reckon

Thanks for your input!

#@Hadouken I was actually giving it a bit of boost when it cut, so you might be on the money there.

I've had a good look around and can't spot any big holes in the air hoses around the front area of the car. Its had a Trust intake upgrade at some stage, but a few of the joiners are showing wear. No big holes though.
I'll jack it up and check the back end (turbo area) and properly look over the AFM tonight.

Spark plugs look in good condition. Have run around 2000km on them (NGKs).

I've pulled the fuel rail and injectors off and fuel is definitely getting through the injectors (the fuel poured out of the first injector when the fuel pump primed). Will get them flow tested while they're out.
I've also tried manually turning the CAS with the injectors unplugged and a little fuel in the block and it's detonating, so I'm guessing CAS or air is the right place to be looking.

I'll update you when I can.

Would that not be your problem? Fuel should not pour out of an injector that is not supposed to be open.

Good point...! I'll need to double check whether it was pouring out when priming or when cranking.

What do you mean it's detonating when you turn the cas by hand? Why do you think something is wrong with the cas?

CAS was suggested above. There is a little fuel leftover and when turning the CAS the fuel is being ignited. Detonating is probably the wrong word - its igniting with a bang and burning up the fuel (flames out the injector holes) which I expected.

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