prob with mk2 cortina

[old skool freestyler]

right ill try to explaine

when you crank the engine over with the key it trys to start but wont quite catch,

but when you just sorta flick the key on it starts instant what would cause this

[fordtina3]

sounds like starter taking all the juice from battery and not leavin any for ignition system. you could have bad earth - probable! failing that it sounds like either battery or starter had it. you could try checking/cleaning all earth straps especially where straps meet body/battery/engine. does it sound healthy when cranking over?

[V8ian]

Filck the switch and it fires and as soon as you let go it stops, sounds like the ballast resistor, assuming you have one fitted.

[old skool freestyler]

sounds like starter taking all the juice from battery and not leavin any for ignition system. you could have bad earth - probable! failing that it sounds like either battery or starter had it. you could try checking/cleaning all earth straps especially where straps meet body/battery/engine. does it sound healthy when cranking over?

 

yea sounds really healthy

[old skool freestyler]

Filck the switch and it fires and as soon as you let go it stops, sounds like the ballast resistor, assuming you have one fitted.

 

and it hasnt got one fitted its a 3ltr essex not sure if that makes any difference

[fordtina3]

it does sound like dodgy starter to me. taking all the juice. have you a spare to chuck on to try?

[old skool freestyler]

it does start when you just flick the key it not asif its not starting just wont start if you crank it over

[RUSTYPUP]

Has it just suddenly started to do this or have you only just built it?

Is it possible that the ignition switch is wired up in such a way that there is no live to the coil in the third (cranking) position?

[over_head_cam]

My money is on a dodgy connection or broken wire somewhere. What's probably happening is flicking the key is turning it over but breaking the coil circuit. When you let go of the key, the circuit is made and the engine is still turning just enough to make it start.

 

Or maybe not. Just a guess

[old skool freestyler]

Has it just suddenly started to do this or have you only just built it?

Is it possible that the ignition switch is wired up in such a way that there is no live to the coil in the third (cranking) position?

 

just built it but if its that why will it strat when you just flick it to cank the engine and not when you crank it????

[old skool freestyler]

My money is on a dodgy connection or broken wire somewhere. What's probably happening is flicking the key is turning it over but breaking the coil circuit. When you let go of the key, the circuit is made and the engine is still turning just enough to make it start.

 

Or maybe not. Just a guess

 

think you got it there buddy we will have a cheque at the weekend somtime but any outher sujestions will be really good

[fordtina3]

but by cranking over, the starter taking all battery and not leaving any for ignition. by flicking, the starter not allowed to grab all and as you let go, the power goes to ignition. maybe ignition barrel? a slight variation of what rustypup is sayin? how long car been 3.0ltr? have you taken battery off recently?

[fordtina3]

why not connect battery to coil with wire then turn over and see what happens

[old skool freestyler]

the car has been 3lrt for about a month its not done yet and the battry is in the boot with a thick cable and its a brand new battery

[old skool freestyler]

why not connect battery to coil with wire then turn over and see what happens

 

could do but wont that only start the car same as it does now

[fordtina3]

by connecting coil straight to battery you will bypass ignition switch. so to switch off you would have to disconnect wire. you aint got a rev counter connected have you? a 4 cyl rev counter will not work on v6. by wire bypass, you solving whether starter or ignition system and where to look next

[old skool freestyler]

with you now mate sounds like a plan

[fordtina3]

it'll be interesting to find out the outcome. let us know!!!!

good luck

[old skool freestyler]

there is a vid on here of it running if you want to see the oucome of when we did get it to run

[w p e]

contacts in the back of the ignition switch could be worn.

[old skool freestyler]

ummm never thort of that