Hi there. Thank you very much for your assistance. Unfortunately, I'm working alone on my car so I could not pull a spark plug wire and crank the engine at the same time (wel I guess I could lay it near the block and try to see through the window what is happening. Anyway, the good news is that both fuses # 1 and # 11 are ok. So, I found the self-diagnostic unit and plugged it in the sockets that you mentioned, number 2 and number 6 (I do not have turbo). The codes I received are confusing to me so perhaps I'll tell you what happened in detail and you could tell me what it means?

First, socket # 2, I depressed the button once and I received the codes 1-1-1. Then I reset everything and depressed the button twice and received continous flashing (it did not stop). Then I reset everything and depressed the button 3 times and received a strange code of about 25 very quick flashes for the first digit of the code (I could not tell exactly how many times it flashed, even after repeated attempts so I'll put a question mark after that number, then it flashed 4 times, and then it flashed very quick repeatedly again, then it flashed 8 times, and then repeated the same sequence. So, in conclusion, it up it flashed the code of 25?-4-25?-8, a four digit sequence of numbers.

Now, for socket # 6 I depressed the button once and I received the codes 1-1-1. Then I reset everything and depressed the button twice and received continous flashing (it did not stop). Then I reset everything and depressed the button 3 times and did not receive any flashing lights at all.

So, are you able to assist me with determining what these codes mean?

Thank you very much, Murray

Thank you again.

What I mean by resetting is that in order to receive any codes I had to turn the key to starting the car to the "on" position (since it will not start, I turned it on as far as it would go - the headlights turn on, the dashboard warning lights turn on, etc.), then after I received the first code (1-1-1) by pushing the button once, I turned the key to the off position just to make sure that I "reset" the test. Then I turned the key "on" again and went out and pushed the button twice and noted the code (continous flashing), then went and turned the key "off" to reset the test. And so on.

I cannot drive the vehicle around and re-do the tests, since the vehicle will not start.

I now understand the idea of the codes. If I put the cable in "any" socket and press the button once and receive code "1-1-1" then that selection is operating ok. If I receive any other code than "1-1-1" there is a fault and reading the code will tell me what it is. I did not hold the button down for more than 5 seconds (I'm pretty sure) so it should not have "re-set" the diagnostic unit (I read this 5 second re-set procedure elsewhere on the internet).

So, it seems that socket 2 and 6 are showing me that those two areas are perforning properly since the first time I pressed the button when inserted in each socket it flashed the code "1-1-1".

I assume from your instructions that I do not have to go turn the key off and then on again in order to move to the next socket to test it. Is this correct? I can just leave the key on and test one socket, get the code, and pull out the cable and insert it in the next socket, puch the button and get the code, pull the cable and insert in the next socket, etc., etc. without going and turning on and off the key? This will completely clarify the instructions to me.

Question; should I try all of the sockets to see if they are all giving me a "1-1-1" code? Then I have eliminated all of the items that could be faulty that this diagnostic unit tests for.

If all of the sockets give me a "1-1-1" code, what else can I do? Should I remove an end of a fuel line and see if trying to start the vehicle pumps gas out of the line - then I would know my fuel pump is working. If so, do you know the best location on the fuel line I should disconnect and describe the area to me? Or should I first go and get a neighbour to come over to help, disconnect the spark plug wire at the spark plug (I don't believe I have the tools for removing the spark plug), pull the rubber back from the end of the wire and hold the exposed end close to the engine block to see if there is a spark coming from the distributor?

Many thanks, I hope I can figure out why the vehicle will not start, because if it has electrical power going to the spark plugs and it is receiving fuel, I can't understand what else could be wrong.

Murray

I pulled and re-inserted al of the fuses and the relay switch boxes/ towers that were with the fuses and the vehicle is now starting over and over. So I still don't know what it was that went wrong other than it could have been a loose switch/ box. If it happens again, that is the first thing I will do, make sure that everything in the fuse box area has not been knocked off kilter.

Many thanks anyway,
Murray

Yes, I believe it was just a loose relay switch in the fuse box area. Because after I pulled and re-inserted every fuse and made sure that every switch was seated properly in the fuse box area, it seemed to work.

I noticed when I pulled one of the spark plug wires off that it is an old wire with some cracking starting in the rubber and the metal connector actually pulled out of the wire and stayed attached to the spark plug. So I have a new set of wires on order and will install them on Tuesday.

If it happens again, I will now check that all fuses are ok and seated properly, and check the diagnostic unit to see if all the codes are 1-1-1 before I do anything else. I managed to find on the internet which each code means from socket 2 and 6 and so I printed it off and will carry that in my glovebox.

So, I think I am prepared for next time.

Many thanks for your assistance.
Murray