After two years of work I was looking forward to starting my EFI Pinto Indy, but I've been thwarted at the last minute.

My last job was to make and connect battery, alternator, starter wires which I did this morning. After lunch I connected the battery, put fuel in the tank and primed the pump to check for fuel leaks (none) and the pump started returning to the tank as it should.

Double checked everything again and with heart in mouth, turned the key to the next position - clonk from starter dog but engine not turning over! Tried a couple more times before hitting starter with a hammer and finaly resorted to connecting jump leads onto my diesel CRV louder clong but still not turning over!!

Is it my starter that is goosed? It worked on the Sierra when I started taking it apart. How do I check it?

Was the clonk definately the starter engaging not the solenoid coming on?

Does the starter motor have a built-in solenoid or an external one. If it's external and you by-pass it (ie connect a big battery direct to the starter) if it doesn't spin the engine the starter motor's shagged

perhaps remove the starter from the engine, but leaving the cables connected, and try again. hopefully (or hopefully not, depending how you look at it...) it should spin on freely?

[Edited on 10/5/08 by blakep82]

Starter has a solenoid on the side where connections go to. Clonk coming from general direction of starter - nobody else to turn key so can't get close enough!

If after you have checked the starter motor out and its A ok , Check to see if engine turns freely , spanner on bottom pulley nut , take plugs out if necessary , try starting with clutch depressed just incase gearbox siezed ect ,

Is the engine earth strap connected ?

Hope you get it running .

Mike

[Edited on 10/5/08 by miikae]

Engine turns freely (can push it about in 5th gear no problem) and spark plugs are out. I have a 25mm engine earth strap that should be doing the trick - checked for 12v in all the places I would expect it with ignition live and all earths seem ok.

Going to take starter to an auto electrician on Monday :-(

At least I proved my loom trimming has worked so today isn't a dead loss!

put a jump lead directly from your bellhousing to your battery negative and give that a try, had the same problem with my mates kit car

Tried the jump lead - no change. Starter coming off this afternoon.