Guest belugablack Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 hello, I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I have left my 1985 1.6i Cabrio for about four years parked by the stables and now need to start it to move it so I can embark on its refurbishment spurred on by a lovely specimen on Ebay. Today I fitted a charged battery, put two cans of fresh petrol in it and tried to start it. First thing I noticed was no lights on the dashboard at all - you know how the Mk3 has the fluid levels monitor etc flashing while you start - but surprisingly the starter jumped into action but the car just turned over with no sign of starting. The radio didn't work and neither did the blower fan, the windscreen wipers did though. I couldn't hear the fuel pump priming and as I said there was no hint of it actually almost catching, just the noise of the starter so I am thinking fuel supply. The car is untouched so has never had an immobiliser or alarm fitted. Immediately prior to being stored it had had a lot of new parts, fuel pump, timing belt, plugs, fuel filter etc and ran very well. I am not mechanically minded but would appreciate some handy pointers before I draft someone in to have a stab at it. What relays should I be checking? Where is the fuel pump relay on a Mk3 (MFI of course)? By the coil on the right hand strut top there seems to be a relay and some wiring, what is this for as it does not look aftermarket and it is all factory standard. I have checked the fusebox under the bonnet but according to the symbols on the lid, none of the fuses or relays in this box relate to the fuel pump - - and why are none of the dashboard warning lights coming on? cheers, Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodspeedcreations Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Hi mate have you got all the wires on the battery ie the normal leads and the small wire on the +treminal as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest belugablack Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes I believe so, there is a thin windy red wire that goes to the coil area and I did have this connected. I will go up there again today with some contact spray and WD40 and have another rummage, I am using terminal adapters on the battery as don't have a Ford one, so will make sure everything is connected up as well as it can be. Any clues on where the fuel pump relay is please? I'll take some pictures if I remember too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodspeedcreations Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Hi mate fuel pump relay is under the dash near the steering column its the pink one you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest belugablack Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hi, Does a Mk3 have a pink relay? I thought that was a Mk4, although appreciate the MFI system is probably the same. So I had another stab at it yesterday and the engine started and ran without cutting out, albeit rather roughly and maybe with a cylinder down, thankfully no plumes of nasty smoke though. I then took out all the fuses and relays, cleaned the blades and gave everything a good spray of contact cleaner, there was quite a bit of leaf debris around the box. Result! The dashboard lights, fuel and temperature gauges and even the overhead green digital clock sprung into action. The engine would not then start though, it would try to but would splutter and die, predictably I ended up wearing the battery down. I bumped into a mechanic who says he will take the cap and rotor off and get it running cleanly for me so I can see about moving it and in the meantime I shall invest in a brand new Bosch battery I think. Taken some pictures should anyone want to see what I am talking about. Even has original Ford main dealer number plates on it from 1985, original Ford stereo, no speakers holes butchered in anywhere, original paintwork and the funky white over red stripe down the sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodspeedcreations Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hi mate yes mk3's do have the pink relay under the dash same as mk 4's do my wife has a mk3 tin top 3i and its got one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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