i found out what it was just bought some new K racing HT leads and spark plugs

mine did it to when it was really cold and not used for a couple of days turned the key and just wihned so i kept the key turned and it slowly began to turn over unit it started with a cough and a spluter (it sounded like my started had seized with the cold lol)

as i said before theres alot of moisture around this time of year even if you are getting a spark it only takes 2 mins to wipe out the distributor cap and roter arm but getting a new one fitted wont to any harm

I started my 1.2 8v merit on the day after boxing day and it sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders even cut out on me. Done what i said above and shes hummin sweetly again(well as good as an 8v gets:lol:

[Edited on 05-01-2004 by Siberia]

It was running fine but i think the exhaust was blowing as the week before xmas i had sorted the exhaust out as it was noking on my axel i forgot to put exhuast putty on the jojnt of the back box so i think it was blowing. Apart from thst iot was ok, I have had a mobile mechanic out tjis morning he found the that distiributer cap and the rotor arm ware fucked i aint no mechancic lol so he is coming back soon with a new one maybe it will work i dunno. I will give more detaisl soon

thanks for the replies

garnz

mine was doin this intermittently for a while then just before xmas it wouldnt start at all. Was turning over but just wouldnt fire up.

I ended up turning it over too much and the starter motor broke.

cost me £60 ish for a new one and fitted it my self - starts and runs fine now.

Starter motor is a bastard to fit though when youve only got the standard jack and one axle stand :lol: god i wish i had my own garage sometimes.

this is exactly what has happend to mine over xmas too. 1.4 SRi though. It has lost all compression, sounds like it is gonna start. If u put ur foot on the accelerator it coughs but wont start. i did get it sort of started from a push start but is sounded bad and lost all power. :mad:

"there is a spark on all 4 spark plugs"
"it did does turn over "

was the car running ok up to christmass eve? was it running rough before that?

Has to be sumtin simple if it was running ok before that.

I know u said ure getting a spark and all but id wip out the inside of the distributor cap and the roter arm contact theres alot of moiture around this weather.

as sumone else said there next thing is fuel. are u getting any?

Could be starter motor or ignition coil

ok so uve got spark... the next essential thing for an internal combustion engine is fuel :)

then maybe try a compression test if you have a compression tester?

bump start is always good practice

did ya try see if it would cough?

quote:

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Originally posted by corsa_godfather
dead battery?

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Another one to check is the MAP sensor - there is like a tube going to a little block attached to the bulkhead to the left of the coolant tank (facing the car) this failed on mine once & the engine wouldn't start, just check the tube going to it & make sure that its plugged in ok - it never registered on the ECU when mine went, but it did stop the engine from running even though like yours it was getting fuel, sparkin and turnin over

also check the spark on each of the 4 leads

try holding the accelerator at about 3 quarters while turning it over, see if it coughs (fires on the one cylinder, maybe 2)

if it does start & is very lumpy (sounds like firing on 3 or 2 cylinders), do a compression test - could be headgasket gone between 2 cylinders

Is the engine turning over?

dead battery?

My 1.2 8v Merit Corsa B wont start. I came home on christmas eve in the car worked ok. Didnt use it at all christmas day then come to fire up on boxing day it turned over but wouldnt fire i thought i didnt have enough petrol in so i put 5 litres in tried again it turned over but no fireing. So i took all spark plugs out cleand all of em and the HT leads i have a spark and there is fuel but still wont fire any ideas?

thanks
garnz