car will not start

[johnsmart]

my 93 3b s2 has sat all weekend in the wind and rain apart from moving it 6 feet yesterday,went to start it this morning and it started rough for a few seconds then died,now it will not start,new battery and turning over great but it will not fire up,any suggestions what to look for or where to start looking,any help will be apreciated.
regards john

[djh]

Check the dizzy gear (take cap off distributor and see if the rotor arm turns when cranking)
check for spark if you can
check the fuel pump is working

[AndyP]

I'd go with fuel pump. Crack one of the fittings on the fuel rail and see if there is pressure there.

[newsh]

+1 for fuel pump but could be spark, get someone to turn the engine over while you have a look under the bonnet in the dark, you will see if there are any sparks taking the short route home. My mate's 80 died the other day, when we looked under the bonnet the spark was jumping from the main coil lead back to the body of the coil, a good 2cm spark, a look inside the dizzy confirmed that the rotor arm had gone open circuit, the carbon track from the centre to the tip had entirely disintegrated

[Biggss2]

i read you moved it 6 feet forwards?

from experience my e39 525i sport, i started it once, about to drive off when i realised i left something inside, turned it off whilst it was still cold/choke on, went inside come back out and it wouldnt start, put it in second rolled it down the hill, jumped it, misfired for a minute or so, cleared up.. seemed like it flooded itself because it was started/turned off too soon!

[UrS4boy]

I'd go with fuel pump. Crack one of the fittings on the fuel rail and see if there is pressure there.

I go with the fuel pump too but your method of diagnosis is potentially dangerous and possibly inconclusive. I would suggest a similar but more controlled test, powering the fuel pump by supply power to the downstream side of the FP fuse (probably the right side of the two side fuse connections) and using a hose on a cracked fitting to test and/or measure the amount of fuel flow (if any). Here is a link to a procedure to do this for an AAN in a C4 (adapt as needed for a B3/B4):

http://12v.org/urs/Fuel%20Pump%20Testing%20and%20Replacement%20Procedures_Rev1.pdf

[johnsmart]

got it started

i took your advice and checked the fuel pump,cracked open one of the fuel pipes aimed into a bucket and was getting good pressure and flow,put the fuel pipe back on and then changed the plugs and hey presto the car started the old plugs were audi and i do not know how long they were in the car,i have had her for a year and this is my first problem,the only problem i have with the car now is a rough idle when warm and hunts at low revs and the revs drop to about 500 and threatens to stall at junctions, does anyone have any ideas what to look for to rectify this problem .regards john

[UrS4boy]

N71 Idle Speed Stabilization Valve (ISV or ISS Valve) Info

Idle issue is most likely the N71 idle stabilization valve being dirty. Here is some info that could help:

http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/21853.phtml

[johnsmart]

thank you urs4 boy,i took out the iss valve and gave it a good clean with carb cleaner,lifted out the air box and the filter was manky,i gave the filter a hoover and put it back in,took the car a run,run great with no hagling and the sits at idle smoothly,i have ordered a k and n filter for it to change the old one.thanks for the replys,regards john