Non starter

[sump-plug]

Similar problem to that of BenH below, except my '97 CS won't fire at all.   

Situation: was running and starting well, then needed cranking a good few times but eventually started and then ran OK - that lasted two days, then, finally, really struggled to fire a last time and crawled forward a few yards before dying, not fired AT ALL since.

AA and local non-Saab garage have both had a go and failed to find the problem.

So far I've tried: Changing to a good DI cartridge, new set of NGKs, changing to a good ignition switch, new CPS. I've listened to the fuel pump from the boot and heard the pump whirring on initial cranking then clicking on further cranking. The plugs spark OK when removed and fitted into the DIC and the cylinders smell of fuel.

The car doesn't appear to have an immobiliser - it came with keys but no plipper.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

[Max Headroom]

Welcome aboard Sump-plug - I can't help but Im sure someone here will come up with some ideas 

[Audax]

If you have spark and fuel then do you have air to the intake side and are you certain you don't have a blocked exhaust? If you've checked that lot then have you done a compression test as it could be a failed head gasket.

[sump-plug]

Thanks TF, and hello to everyone.

Disconnected the air filter box in case it was a blocked air supply with no success QP - forgot to mention that one.  I hadn't checked the exhaust, basic I know, but as it had been stood on the drive, I forgot! It's clear.

I'll look up the figures and do a compression test, but with a failed gasket would it not at least try to fire?  I've also been told to check earths in the dash area, which is another job on the list.

[phoenix]

It's perhaps worth doing a real spark check.

Remove the DI cart & plugs, depressurise the fuel system then put the DI cart upside down on the head (IIRC you can secure it in place with some longer m6 screws).

Put the plugs in firmly, then wrap bare copper wire well around each plug and take it to a good earth. You should be able to see sparks on cranking.

[Baxlin]

Long shot, but have you actually seen fuel being pumped?  Could it be a blocked fuel filter?  Try disconnecting the pipe at the engine end and be ready to catch the fuel that's pumped out if it's working properly............

[alang]

Probably a silly question, but have you done a CEL check?   Might identify something.

[sump-plug]

Thanks everyone.

CEL - On turning the key I get 'check engine radiator' for a second, 'engine' then goes out followed by 'check radiator', no flashes.

Fuel - Loosened a pipe to the fuel rail - fuel came out under pressure.

Spark - I checked by pulling a plug, fitting it to the DI and then wedged the DI with the plug against the plug well. From the drivers seat I could see it sparking on cranking. I repeated that with a second plug and got a similar result. I guessed that if I've got a known good DI, and two plugs were sparking (brand new set), then I was OK on that front.  Is there a benefit to trying again with the copper wire?

[sgould]

How good is the "good" DI?  There are some rubbish Chinese copies about that often don't work out of the box.

[sump-plug]

I'd heard that SG. I swapped the DI out of my Aero - the CS still wouldn't fire. Also tried the CS DI in the Aero - it started first turn.

[phoenix]

I'm now thinking a bad ground lead on the injectors... do you get a smell of fuel out of the exhaust after cranking?

If so then I think the next step has to be a compression test.

[sump-plug]

Got time to do a compression test today.  All four showed around 230/235.  A strong smell of fuel was also present.

A bad ground lead on the injectors - what should I do to check that?

Any more suggestions very welcome!