The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi all,

So, my car has been running like an absolute dream, and last night we had a good little drive around the area where I live. It's running really well.
I'm supposed to be driving it to France tomorrow morning so tonight I changed my rocker cover to a nice new shiny one, and changed the the air filters... car won't start.
I changed my rocker cover back, and still my car won't start. When i turn the key the car wants to start but won't fire up. It's like it's missing the spark... I had another car plugged into my battery to keep it alive so battery is good... I checked against the manual to make sure the spark plug cable were in the right place and I checked the spark plugs themselves and all looks fine.

I can't understand why all of a sudden it won't fire up? Any ideas?

Any advice would be greatly welcome...

Hiya,

I'm no expert, but my first guess if you've changed the air filters is fuel mixture? I would try and run the car with the filters removed then fit them with the engine running to see what happens!

Are you getting a spark at the plugs?
Did you remove the plug leads at any point (putting back in the wrong order is VERY easy to do)

Obvious absence of spark or ballast bypass feed.

So check plug leads are in right order as you must have taken them off to do the rocker gasket.
Check you havent dislodged a lead from coil to distributor.

Check the coil plus voltage rises with a meter when cranking. If it doesnt that's your issue.

Jonners

Jon Tilson wrote: So check plug leads are in right order as you must have taken them off to do the rocker gasket.
Jonners

On a 1500 Jonners? Since when?

My bad....thought it was a proper one....(dives for cover)

Jonners

Thanks all for your help... so it seemed to be a loose wire where fuses live... car sparked into life, I heard a noise from the fuse area and it died. I cleaned yonthe connectirsvsnd tightened them a little... all fine!

Now the only problem I have is a high idle. Gonna check the carb gaskets etc (I saw good advice on this forum), and speedo keeps disappearing... gonna change the cable.

Will keep you posted.