VTS won't start - Saxperience

jon_jon_jon · 27th November 2022, 10:14

I recently bought a mk1 VTS.
It was off the road for many years. So I got it serviced, MOTd, new cambelt, all welding done, an ABS sensor etc. I had it running on the road for a couple months. Running really well. Now it won't start.

Its got a good battery and ive put some petrol in just incase the fuel gauge wasnt working (it did play up once before). It still turns over but won't start. I can hear the fuel pump prime, although sometimes it seems to keep making a noise instead of just a couple seconds like you'd expect.

Basically I don't know where to start with finding the issue. I was advised to replace the fuel pump but is there a way I can test the pump before throwing money at it?

Any advice on what and how to check would be great. Thanks all.

george7378 · 27th November 2022, 17:07

You might be able to check for fuel pressure by loosening the fuel line where it connects to the rail up front, and then turning the key to make the pump prime and checking that fuel comes out of the line with a good pressure. Might also be a clogged fuel filter.

Guessing it's not a timing issue if the belt is new - so if the pump is working, it could be anything from spark, airflow or compression. Or maybe immobiliser - but I think you'd see a light for that. Potentially injectors? But I don't know if that would make it go from running fine to not working at all.

VeiRoN · 30th November 2022, 12:10

Are you free Sunday? I can pop over there and we can have a look, I'm only 30 minutes away.

MartinObviously · 1st December 2022, 01:43

The pump prime time is a fixed time period when you cycle the ignition. The ECU controls that.

If it is intermittently running on for longer, I'd be looking at replacing the black relay below the ECU. I've not come across one that sticks, but it's not impossible, especially since it's old and who knows what moisture has found its way inside.

you need to verify if fuel is actually getting into the cylinders and that you actually have spark.

Put a bit of petrol straight down the intake (remove airbox and pour straight into TB). If the car doesn't immediately fire up, you likely have a spark issue or a trigger problem, or immobiliser.

If the car fires up, then fuel isn't getting into the cylinders. If the car has been sat, it's maybe a combo of sticky injectors and a lazy fuel pump.

sri_130 · 1st December 2022, 13:23

Check for fuel at the rail, then Crank sensor.