TROU
BLESHOaflNG
25
ENGINE
STA
RTI
NG
An engine that refuses to start
or
is
difficuillo
start is very frustrat
in
g. More often than nol. the
problem is very minor and can be
fou
nd with a
si
mp
le and logical troubleshooti
ng
approach.
The fo
ll
owing
it
ems show a beginning point from
which to isolate engine starting problems.
Engine Fails to
Start
Perform the
fo
ll
owing spa
rk
test to
de
termine
if
the ignition system is operating properly.
I.
Remove the spark plug from the
cy
linder as de-
scribed under Spark
Plu
g Remom/IClealling
in
Cha
pt
er Three.
2.
Connect t
he
spa
rk
plug
wi
re and
co
nn
ect
or
to
the spark plug and touch the spark plug's
ba
se to
a
good
ground such as the engine cylinder head
(
Figure
8). Make sure
th
e spark plug
is
against
bare
metal. not a painted surface.
Po
sition the
spark pl
ug
so
yo
u can see the electrodes.
3.
Cra
nk
the engine over with the starter. A
fa
t blue
spark should be evident ac ross the p
lu
g's
electrode
s.
WARNING
If
it is necessa
ry
to hold the high \'ol
t-
age lead, do so with an insulated
pair
of
pfius.
The
high !'oltage generated
by the ignition signal generator
and
ignitor unit could produce serious
or
fowl
shocks.
4.
If
the spark
is
good. check
fo
r one
or
more of
the
fo
ll
owing possi
bl
e malfunc
ti
ons:
a. Obst
ru
cted fuel line.
b. Low compression.
c. Leaking head gasket.
d. Choke not operating properly.
e. Throttle not operating properly.
f.
Im
properly adjusted automatic decompress
ion
cable.
5. If spark is not good. check
fo
r one or more of
the fo
ll
owing:
9 . Weak ignition coil.
b. Weak ignition signal
generator.
c. Weak
or
fa
ulty ignitor unit.
d.
Br
oken
or
shorted high tension lead to the
spark pl
ug
.
e. Loose electrical connections.
f.
Loose
or
broken ignition coil gro
un
d wire.
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