L24 Non Starter

[coupe72001]

I am trying to start an L24 that's been in a barn for a long time. It cranks like a champ but won't fire.

I appear to have excellent spark at the coil and plugs.

The fuel pump appears to be pumping fuel when I turn the key and the carby inspection window shows the carby is halfway full of fuel (topped up with new fuel).

I have checked the timing, and with number one at TDC the cam sprocket notch is lined up with the timing marker on the head.

Err... what have I missed?

A bunch of bent valves is all I can think of - Ill have to do a compression test when I have a helper. Other suggestions?

[Socrates]

You're on the right path with compression.

Whats the condition of the oil?

[blind_elk]

Have you cleaned out the carby?

[coupe72001]

Oil is gross, but I wanted to get it running prior to flush.

Carby is probably made of spiders and dirt, but I thought it would fire, then just run like rubbish. I'll dump some cleaner in a can into it and see how we go. I have a handful of other carbies I can try as well.

I think among other things that there is actually a problem with the ignition barrel. The car actually sounds like it's running, but when you release the key (to on) you get an instant stall.

Anyone got a spare barrel I can test with? PM me and we can sort something out.

[Gordie]

Check the fuse's, I blew one years ago and it would only run when key was on start, but died as soon as you stopped cranking.

If they are all good, grab a can of aerostart and give it a spray and she if she runs.

[blind_elk]

I think among other things that there is actually a problem with the ignition barrel. The car actually sounds like it's running, but when you release the key (to on) you get an instant stall.

Check the fusible links.

[Socrates]

So it fires when you got it on start but not when it in ON?

c210? do all the dash lights come on when you put key onto on?

if not theres somewhere to start

[coupe72001]

It's a 240K. Not having much luck getting the brake light in the dash to come on under key, although it is 'running' kind of...

I pulled apart the ignition barrel and tried starting with a screw driver but as soon as the key is released all the way to ON it's an instant stall. If I turn the switch to start, then release it halfway to ON it runs (seemingly not off the starter, but under own power), but ON is a no go.

Fuses and fusible links (and wiring I guess) sounds about right Gordie, hopefully there is a dud in there. Will start swapping.

Hanging out to carby clean/oil change, but it's a bit easier with the car running. Fingers crossed.

[coupe72001]

So, I got the car to run using a hot wire from + on battery to + on coil.

I cleaned the carby well, and dumped the sludge and exchanged it with oil. I replaced filters as well.

However, I still can't get the car to run without the hot wire. I don't have 12V on the red/black wire that runs from ignition switch to + on the coil when the switch is in the 'on' position. I cleaned up fuses and links etc and then actually tested the switch with a multimeter and couldn't make a circuit with the key in the 'on' position. Maybe the switch is from another model Datsun and the logic is wrong.

More likely my logic is wrong.

[hot_c210]

I found out part of my problem was a dead wire from the ignition switch... black with white stripe from memory... leave it connected and run another wire parallel...