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MG MGF Technical - Help engine won't start

I have recently bought a 2000 MGF 1.8 Steptronic and unfortunately over the last few days I have had problems with the engine not starting. First problem was it didn't start and did the next day - yesterday I travelled 20 miles to the station went to restart the car and nothing - one hour later it eventually started. I managed to get home last night and now it doesn't start at all! It has a new battery and new starter motor but now I am in a panic as I need to get to work on Tuesday! I am hoping to get it started to take it to the garage but if not will have to call a home start company - anyone any ideas of what I could do today to get it going or at least what the problem might be. Any advice greatly received as confidence in the car is severely dented. It was serviced a year ago but has only done 1000 miles since then.
Trudie Masterson

With the Steptronic, Start is immobilised if the gear Selector in not in "P" or "N". You may have a problem with the selector quadrant microswithces so try in "N" rather than "P".
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

is there a strong smell of petrol when the car wont start,if so this could indicate a problem with the ignition system.might be worth turning the engine over and then checking a spark plug to see if they are wet with petrol.might be worth checking all of the ht leads are connected properly although if they are not i would have expected rough running when the engine did start.you could also check to see if the plugs are sparking.other areas to consider are fuel system, when you turn the ignition on can you hear a buzzing usually about 4/5 seconds duration this should be the fuel pump.unfortunatley(spelling)you will have to remove the engine cover to check these,not difficult but a pain in the butt.hth
chris

is there a strong smell of petrol when the car wont start,if so this could indicate a problem with the ignition system.might be worth turning the engine over and then checking a spark plug to see if they are wet with petrol.might be worth checking all of the ht leads are connected properly although if they are not i would have expected rough running when the engine did start.you could also check to see if the plugs are sparking.other areas to consider are fuel system, when you turn the ignition on can you hear a buzzing usually about 4/5 seconds duration this should be the fuel pump.unfortunatley(spelling)you will have to remove the engine cover to check these,not difficult but a pain in the butt.hth

chris
chris

Hi Trudie,

When you say it won't start, is the engine turning over when you turn the key, but just not firing into life, or is there no response to the key?
Mike Hankin

Hi and thanks for all your responses - when I turn the ignition there is a sound like a motor like something turning on but not firing and then if I try again there is nothing at all. I have tried changing from P to N but to no avail - I don't know if it is significant but a friend tapped the engine management system panel at the back at the same time as I tried to start it and it worked! Obviously a little difficult to achieve when I am on my own!
Trudie Masterson

Trudie,
Back to Mike's question. Is the engine turning over fast on the starter motor when you try to start ??
Geoff.F.
G. Farthing

No there is absolutely nothing when I try to start the engine - it appears to be an intermittent problem as it has started every time I have tried it this afternoon but I am concerned that the next time it won't start I will be stranded somewhere. I am telephoning the MG garage in Taunton tomorrow and will hopefully get it in for them to look at it.
Trudie Masterson

From your descriprion and trials and errors, sounds like a Mainrelay connection problem.
This Relay (big black one with four coils inside) is mounted behind the engine management system panel.

Could you check special this connector ?
It's easy to reach when the bracket is bolt off.

Rgds
Dieter
Dieter

This thread was discussed on 04/06/2006

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