Engine Troubleshooting Overview

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Trouble shooting is only a process of elimination and provided the procedure is carried out correctly and systematically an accurate diagnosis of the trouble can be made in the minimum amount of time.

For an internal combustion engine to run there are three basis requirements, these are ignition, fuel and compression. There are other factors of course, but as a rule an engines failure to start can be attributed to a fault in one or more of these three systems.

The most likely cause of an engine wont start issue is an ignition or electrical failure first followed by fuel, with mechanical or compression failure the least common.

Before getting into ignition troubleshooting it is worth checking, is there fuel in the fuel tank? If yes begin the ignition/electrical diagnosis.

Ignition and Electrical Systems checks

Switch on the ignition and check for warning lamp illumination.

Operate the starter switch and check that the starter rotates the engine at a steady speed.

Switch on the headlamps and check for good light intensity.