Engine cut out for no reason - any ideas?

[bigglesdmc]

Hi all, I need to test your knowledge - I need some help!

I started my Delorean this morning and as usual it ran superbly, starting first time. I backed it out of the garage and it ticked over smoothly for about 5 minutes and then for no reason cut out completely - just as if I had switched the ignition off. All electrics appear to be fine, but no matter how much I try to restart it there is no firing at all. I suspect electrics but don't know if this is a problem you've encountered? I'm certain it's not fuel as the tank is full and I feel it would have dwindled a bit before dying out if fuel was stopping. Any thoughts?

My biggest issue is that I'm suppose to be going to France in it this coming Thursday so Sod's law has prevailed.

I'd be very grateful for any ideas at all.

Cheers in advance ,

Andy

[bigglesdmc]

I found a part with 2 burnt out wires - not sure what it is (see pic). I soldered 2 new wires in but the engine still wont start. I bet this has something to do with it???

[tourettes tony]

sounds to me the power to the fuel pump has cut out, but i know someone who will know what them wires are for..... over to you Admin man TT

[RobvdVeer]

I encountered something similar although the car was in my garage. Maybe this helps

Theres a single wire running from the left hand of the engine to the coil. Theres a connector male/female just behind the distributor. The wire is free but the connector should have a rubber mantle. Mine was not tight enough and fell off when cleaning the engine. I could crank the engine but it would not fire.

[bigglesdmc]

I checked the pump and that is fine - good fuel pressure etc. I will check that wire you mention. By the way I've just been told that the little 'relay' type box I highlighted is to operate the electric aerial - I did wonder why that didn't work!

[Admin-bloke]

I checked the pump and that is fine - good fuel pressure etc. I will check that wire you mention. By the way I've just been told that the little 'relay' type box I highlighted is to operate the electric aerial - I did wonder why that didn't work!

Yes that is correct, that relay is for the electric aerial.

Is the car still in a position where it doesn't start now??
Try removing a HT lead from a spark plug, putting a spare spark plug in it, hold the threaded part onto the engine block and then get a friend to crank it on the starter for a couple of seconds then immediately turn the key fully back. This way you can check to see if you have a spark.

If you don't then this is the area to look into.

Good luck

[delorean12uk]

I'm afraid mr Biggles it's gonna be a process of elemination. Do what Admin stig man said first by testing for a spark, if you have one then there are 2 wires to short out on the RPM relay to overide the pump, that will test to see if thats working. Off hand I have no idea what those wires are because I have left my wiring diagram over my garage, but one of the wires is brown and the other wire is what goes directly to the pump, I believe the wires are directly diagonal to one another on the RPM replay plug.
Is the engine completely dead now of did it start up a while later??? the reason i say that is because you started it from cold and then it ran for 5 minutes and then died, so it could be a CPR fault as this unit changes the fuel pressure as the engine gets to operating temperature. Try the first two tests first and see where that goes.

[Admin-bloke]

If you get a spark then try as what J suggests.

You could try linking the fuel pump connection as a temporary way of diagnosing the problem

Picture from SpecialTAuto
http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-pa ... jumper.jpg

Do not use the link as a permanent solution as it bypasses a safety function that the relay provides, nor does it give power to the CPR heater circuit.

If this cures your problem then it might be worth replacing it:
Can usually get them from here ref.
viewtopic.php?f=66&t=286&start=10
or from your favourite vendor.

[DeLorean Cars]

From what Andy told me on the phone, the fuel pump's running fine, the ignition amp is getting a signal (RPM jumps with cranking, RPM relay triggers) and the coil isn't spitting out a spark but is getting power. So my most recent suggeston was the connection on the bulkhead for the white/grey wire has probably gone OC.

[Admin-bloke]

If the coil is getting > 9.5v at connection "15" and the grey cable to the coil is switching via the ingition amplifier, then try disconnecting the piggy back suppressor first and if that fails test the coil or try another one.