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Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:41 am
by Enrique
My GTV6 has been garaged for the last six months. Now the weather is warm again, but the car won't start. It cranks strong, but the engine won't catch. Can anyone offer troubleshooting tips? Thanks in advance.

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:58 am
by kevin
Enrique, sometimes after long storage the fuel pump sticks so check and see when cranking if the fuel pump is on. Get some one to crank while you listen . If still not sure take AFM cover off turn ignition on(not start) and rotate afm by hand to simulate start and listen for pump switching on.If pump is not switching on then tap pump lightly , as this most sometimes works it loose. Hopefully you checked for spark first by taking plug cap off and crank bridging with metal object or another plug. If got strong spark and fuel is on might need to check fuel at injector rail as maybe pump is blocked and no fuel reaching rail. Dont set car alight.
. Spark and fuel it must start if nothing else has chainged.
Check this then you might have to start with relays. Start car in neutral as clutch sometimes sticks after storage. Thats also easy to fix in two mins.

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:09 am
by Enrique
Kevin. Thank you! I will try your suggestions, but I have two rookie questions:

(1) What is the "AFM"?
(2) Where is the fuel pump?

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:11 pm
by MR2 Zig
AFM is the air flow meter located immediatly behind the air filter box. If you have a stock air box take the filter out and you should see the 'door' that is the moving part of the AFM. Push that in with the key on and you should be able to hear the pump run.

The fuel pump is located under the right side of the car just infront of the rear wheel.

hth,

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:52 am
by xrad
Why are you yelling? :D

Any luck?

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:00 pm
by kevin
[size=150][b]Who is yelling[b][/b][/size[/b]]

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:57 pm
by xrad
Kevin: I;'m guessing 150 font is big? :o

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:43 pm
by kevin
Yep :) .
Enrique I think its essential you visit Greg Gordons site to learn more about your GTV. Its very imformative and it teaches you basics of injection. Every GTV owner should have these print outs, kinda of like a medicine bag(safety bag) on a construction site !

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:39 am
by xrad
And if you are mechanically/electrically inclined(if not, this is not the car for you...unless you have a good mechanic):

get the Alfa Romeo GTV6 Milano CarDisc (Internation auto parts)

AND

An 82 or 83 owners manual. It has the wiring schematics.


PArts can be found at:

Centerline Alfa (Co)

International Autoparts Alfa (georgia)

Alfapartscatalogue (place in Cali)

Alfa Parts Exchange (phone call to Larry)

Ebay has many alfa parts hoarders as well

There are many others, too....

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:14 am
by Enrique
I worked on the car this weekend and still can't get it started.

I can hear the fuel pump working, and when I disconnected the large hose at the AFM, fuel trickled out.

I disconnected a spark plug wire (no. 4) and inserted a spare plug into the lead. I cranked the car and saw no spark. Also, while I was doing this test, the wipers and dash warning stopped working. I visually checked the fuses, and they all look okay.

Any ideas as to what to do next?

Thanks!

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:15 am
by Enrique
I worked on the car this weekend and still can't get it started.

I can hear the fuel pump working, and when I disconnected the large hose at the AFM, fuel trickled out.

I disconnected a spark plug wire (no. 4) and inserted a spare plug into the lead. I cranked the car and saw no spark. Also, while I was doing this test, the wipers and dash warning stopped working. I visually checked the fuses, and they all look okay.

Any ideas as to what to do next?

Thanks!

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:41 am
by Mats
Disconnect the cold start connector, remove all spark plugs, disconnect the coil, charge the battery and crank the engine dry. If the plugs have been wet replace them.

Then try again from the beginning without the connector on the cold start, but check it for leaks before you hook everything back up.

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:18 am
by Enrique
Thanks. I'll try that procedure.

But how does that procedure address the fact that there is no spark? I disconnected a spark plug wire (no. 4) and inserted a spare plug into the lead. I cranked the car and saw no spark. Was this the correct test for spark? Does the spark plug have to be grounded somehow for this test to work?

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:06 pm
by xrad
UH oH, that is way too much fuel if it has backed out of the intake hose....

Watch for fire hazzard!

Re: Won't start after winter storage - need basic help.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 4:07 pm
by MD
What's with the font?