engine would not start, fuel pumps?

Dear forum members,

There are some months I haven't started the engine of my '79 400 i.
I tried today and nothing happened.
There is gas in the tank.
The starter engine runs normally.

I noticed that I did not hear the fuel pumps noise after turning the ignition key.
My question is : should I hear the pumps?

Last month, my e-type restoration ended up in this result (Jaguar e-type) but I still prefer the Ferrari 400.

Many thanks in advance.

Olivier

 

Thanks Steve,

Your post and another one you wrote (see below) led me to some investigation.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/365-gt4-2-2-400-412/111198-name-blue-thingy.html

The safety switch can be seen on the RHS, but nothing is being connected to that switch.

According to the explanations read on the post, I tried to manually deflect the RHS plate and see how it would impact the pumps.
See picture : http://www.e-type-jag.com/fchat_1.jpg
With the key ON, I expected to hear the RHS fuel pump, which did not happen.

Now, it reminds me of something.
Last time I started the car, it started at first attempt, as usual, then it stalled. No way to start it again and something I did not pay that much attention to: a slight temporary smoke over the RHS fender, behind the headlight.
I thought this was due to the contact of something like a feather with the hot exhaust,
I did not investigate. Now I start thinking I should have.

This smoke might well be part of the problem.
This morning I tried to locate where it could have come from. In this area there are :
- some wiring but no sign of any overheat.
- a MSD ignition.

About the MSD. 7 years ago, I ordered these two items from MSD Ignition :
8222 Blaster Coil, High Vibration 1 $51.77
6200 MSD-6A, High Performance-Street/Race 1 $184.40

At this time, the Dinoplex was all right but I read MSD was an improvement. I am not so sure now and I'm glad I still have the original Dinoplex on a shell.

Anyway I had the MSD thing mounted on the car, I was told that was not so easy because of the 12 cylinders.
What I suspect now is that :
- the smoke I saw really came from the MSD, not from the exhaust.
- the MSD is dead.

My questions are :
How to check the MSD?
Is there any connection between the MSD and the instruction given to the fuel pumps ?
Any other relevant questions ?

Thanks in advance,

Olivier

I would add that, it is probably during the MSD mounting that the safety switch was disconnected. I keep in mind there is a security issue but it is not the main problem at this time.

 

Thanks. Both probably. I did not disconnect the switch myself so it is the way it used to be and despite this is definitely a modification, this does not explain the sudden trouble.
The engine does not start anymore so there is a problem somewhere.

And according to what you say, MSD has nothing to do with fuel pumps.

MSD provides this : MSD Help - Trouble-Shooting techniques for MSD Ignition Systems"
Let's start with the MSD.
http://www.e-type-jag.com/fchat_2.jpg
This little smoke I mentioned came from somewhere, presumably from the MSD. I'll look inside the MSD and chase any sign of overheat.
Then, I'll check there is a spark at plug.
Then I'll conduct the MSD web sites tests.

Olivier

 

Dear Steve,
Thanks for your answer.
You're right. I kept on searching and I found this excellent contribution from Adrian : Magneti Marelli Dinoplex Repair and Restoration Documents.
Schema is explained there :
http://www.dinoplex.org/PDF/Wiring_MSD6AL2_for_AEC104.pdf
As you say, there is no connection between MSD and fuel pumps.
Olivier

 

Thanks. I initially held the fuel pumps for faulty but now I feel I was wrong.

The situation is : I parked the car, regularly started the engine.
One day I have started the engine, then I saw a whiff of smoke over an area which turns out to be MSD place. The engine stopped and that was impossible to start again.

Therefore I suspect a consequence of the event that caused the smoke.
I googled a bit and here is what I found.

1/ The MSD6series Installation Instruction that can be found on the net tells that :
"The ignition has an internal fuse so no fuse is necessary."

2/ This internal fuse is very sensitive
DIY MSD ignition fix

3/ Someone has sourced the fuse :
http://www.belfuse.com/pdfs/MQ.pdf
Though it looks like a diod , it is a fuse, 15A.

I am waiting for an answer from my local reseller.

As soon as I can, I'll open the box. (I read it is recommended to disconnect the battery before unplugging the MSD box) and check this fuse.

Olivier

 

Thanks.
I did this diagnostic test this morning.
There was no spark at the plug.
I also examined the back side of the MSD part : I'm not sure but it seems to be sealed, so no way to check/replace the inside fuse.

I could send back the MSD box to the factory or have my old dinoplex mounted again.

Olivier

 

Thanks for your comments.
Test result was : no spark.
From Europe, it does not make sense to ask MSD company to repair it, because of shipping costss + delay.
So I ordered an MSD and ... the engine fired up like a charm.

The reason why it would not fire up is presumably that the MSD fuse had blewn.
I say presumably because I did not open the MSD box so I haven't actually seen the fuse, it is a sealed box.
But Google told me this was a known, even if rare, issue with MSD box.
A more skilled person than I am may manage to replace the $1 fuse.

So, the MSD fuse should be on the checklist in case there is no ignition any longer.

Olivier