Fault Diagnosis / Troubleshooting Guide

1) Engine

Engine fails to rotate when attempting to start
* Battery terminal connections loose or corroded
* Battery discharged or faulty
* Broken, loose or disconnected wiring in the starting circuit
* Defective starter solenoid or switch
* Defective starter motor
* Starter pinion or flywheel ring gear teeth loose or broken
* Engine earth strap broken or disconnected


Engine rotates but will not start
* Fuel tank empty
* Battery discharged (engine rotates slowly)
* Battery terminal connections loose or corroded
* Ignition components damped or damaged
* Broken, loose or disconnected wiring in the ignition circuit
* Worn, faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs
* Choke mechanism sticking, incorrectly adjusted, or faulty - carburettor models
* Dirty or incorrectly gapped contact breaker points - pre 1982 models
* Faulty condenser - pre 1982 models
* Major mechanical failure leg camshaft drive

Engine difficult to start when cold
* Battery discharged
* Battery terminal connections loose or corroded
* Worn, faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs
* Choke mechanism sticking, incorrectly adjusted, or faulty - carburettor models
* Other ignition system fault
* Low cylinder compression

Engine difficult to start when hot
* Air filter element dirty or clogged
* Choke mechanism sticking, incorrectly adjusted, or faulty - carburettor models
* Carburettor float chamber flooding
* Low cylinder compression