New 16v problems... a couple of them anyway...

[whiteee]

Picked up a bargain 16v as a runaround, has a few niggles tho...

firstly it blows the fuse everytime you try use the washer jets? wiring problem? new stalk needed? mfa all works fine - be a shame to mess about with it - or that not matter?

strange rattle at around 2600-2800 revs, sounds like something on exhaust, haven't got car here at moment but any ideas? any brackets or heat shields that mite be too close?

and finally (for now) starting, sometimes it starts on the button, other times takes a couple of goes, always turns just doesn't fire - i will be replacing plugs, dizzy cap n rotor arm soon along with oil change soon followed by leads and cam belt - if these don't solve the problem any ideas?

sorry i know these questions should be asked after i do the work - just interested in others experiences if they have had similar - same problems?

cheers

Ian

[takethefifth]

Well i am not the most experienced person in the world but due to no replies so far i will give it my best shot!

Obviously i don't know what you about this stuff but windscreen washers fuse is definately a short somewhere in the circuit. The MFA is not connected to it so shouldn't have anything to do with it. You need a manual with a wiring diagram and follow the wires till you find the culprit. Might just be on the stalk, fingers crossed! Not looked at this before so i don't know.

Well for strange rattles i would volunteer the rusting heat shield on the exhaust just where it bends from the manifold to go under the car right at the back of the engine bay, could be many things but thats the one thay happened to me on my old car. 
It was rusted and deformed to the point where it was almost resting on the car body. My garage man welded it back into place for me and wasn't so bad after.
Exhaust generally is worth checking for fouling of the body, specially if someone has done a bodge job fitting an aftermarket exhaust then reverted to standard.

Starting problems - after the posts of cars not starting recently i would definately check fuel pumps although exactly how thats done i don't know!

Hope this at least helps a little!

[whiteee]

Cheers dude - i thought the vibration mite b something like that from something i had read in a mag before - at least i now know exactly where to look! The car used to have a scorpion exhaust and now has a standard system again... will give it a good going over when i get it back from its MOT - i know it will be bad news, just a matter of how bad!

[Gambit]

if you hard wire the washer motor to the battery will it work? id look at getting a new washer motor, old one might be tight causing it to fry the fuse

it'll more than likely be the heatshield on the downpipe. u can just remove it

as for the starting problems. im assuming its from cold?? check the little green/red wire going to a temp sender on the side of the head beside the water outlet. this needs to be a tight clean fit. this sender is used by the ISV (idle stabilisation valve) and cold start mechanism.

[whiteee]

cheers dude - ordered new washer motor from gsf!

thanks for all the help guys... still hav to look into the heat shield thing - mechanic at garage where i had mot sed its most likely that and you can just rip it off - glad he knew that at least it proves he knows something!

Not had car long enough to figure out starting problem - but at the moment seems random - hot or cold!