I'm really hoping that somebody on here has had this problem before and can help me because it is really pissing me off.

For the past few months every so often my car has either cut out when driving and cannot be restarted or cannot be started after it has been shut off.

The problem usually happens after the car has been running for a while at high temperatures ie. freeway/highway driving. To add to this it also seems to happen if the car has been in the sun for a while. This leads me to think that the problem is electrical not mechanical. (wires heat up and start contacting things they shouldn't?). The car runs fine if you leave it a while.

The car doesn't start you leave it for a few hours and it starts fine.

Basically the starter motor turns but the engine does not fire. I've called NRMA a couple of times and they basically said it was a distributer module or something like that. I've taken it to an autosparky and he couldn't diagnose the problem because the car war running and starting perfectly when I took it to him despite the problem occuring just the day before.

I took the car into my mechanic and the problem actually happened when he took it for a drive. He diagnosed it as the distributer and replaced the part (this was about three weeks ago). The old one was very worn.

Now the problem is back and i'm wondering if a distributer can wear out in three weeks (or it could just be a dodgy part). Is there any other reason why this proble could be happening?

Hi, I had the exactly the same problem (EL 4l Fmont) and always when the engine was hot.
Changed the dissy, at first that appeared to fix it. A week later the same problem was back. Changed the fuel pump & filter, problem gone! I believe the pump was below correct presure. Its now been 2 months without a problem. LOL
Bonzer

I'll hit up my mechanic about it. Thanks for the response. Please good baby jesus let it be something simple. How did you diagnose that the fuel pump was the problem?

Do you know if changing the fuel pump would make any difference when the car runs most of the time on LPG?

Hi There

A couple of things

1. When cranking and it wont start, check if you are getting a strong spark
at the spark plug end of a HT lead. If no spark or extremely weak then...

2. As suggested a common problem is the TFI module
and / or the Hall Effect Unit in the dizzy. Especially apparent
when hot. Cannot comment on the replacement dizzy - it may
have been on its way out as well. Or see point 3.

3. An old, flaky coil will exhibit similar symptoms, especially when hot.
In fact , I think a faulty coil has the potential to damage the TFI and Hall Effect Unit.

4. The lead from the coil to dizzy in good condition ??

5. If getting a strong spark at the end of a HT lead ( when the car wont start ), then ...

6. As suggested check fuel pump / pump relay / filter / fuel pressure regulator.

Good Luck

The NRMA bloke said something about "power but no pulse" if that makes any sense to you.

Prior to changing the fuel pump, I had tried changing over just about every switch & sencer on the engine. Nothing worked so I was about to try the fuel pressure regulator, but decided on the pump instead ( A local mechanic had told me that pumps can do lots of things that don`t seem related). The pump fixed my problem, I hope it fixes yours. By the way I bought it on eBay for less than $70.
Bonzer

+1 for Fuel and/or ignition relay's behind the drivers' headlight.. almost everyone seems to overlook these. Was my issue anyway.

Did your mechanic change the whole distributor including the TFI???

I don't know he just said new distributer. It was new because he gave me the box and isnt the type of bloke who'd try to rip me off.

Locknut would you recommend replacing the relays as a matter of course. Wouldn't be that expensive anyway would it?

EL not starting.
My EL has been playing up for the last three weeks,drive for approx 20 klms and engine cut out.
The first time this happened I was able to restart the Engine after approx 30 minutes.
Next time it happened would not start at all,so removed battery and recharged for2 hours,put it back and it started.
Drove car for about 15 klms and it stopped again,aftera couple of minutes it started again,went for about 3klms and stopped.
Would not start after that.
Car was towed home and I checked the distrutor which was faulty.
Got hold of another dizzy started the car and it runs like diesel at low idle.
Pushing the accelerator it still keeps on a slow idle.
I suspect a timing problem.
Any ideas?

Tia
Old Bugger

Have you checked the TFI module? They just die unexpectedly overtime, Grab a new one and the heatsink paste as well and it should fix it.

Thanks Neddy.
WHat would a TFI module and paste cost compared to a new dizzy?
Also would anyone know how far of TDC 10 degrees would be?

ahh, im having the same problem, today as i parked my car, went to reverse, stalled it...went to start it...wouldn't start.
it was cranking ovoer, but it seemed it had no fuel (as it did),,..
its got new fuel pump,
new dizzy..
new coil...
any other suggestions on what it could be? im waiting on a towie as write this jsut dun wanan get a billl with them trying to rip me off,
cheers
- Ash

Hi There

What car ??

But anyway ... with everything you've replaced,
have you tried the fuel pump relay - can you hear the pump
prime when you put key to IGN ( a slight whirring for a sec or so )

How olds the fuel filter ??