So I was flogging the disco sunday and it just suddenly died. When I turn the key it just makes a tick, tick, tick sound. I need to hold the key in contact for a couple of seconds before it will even turnover. I does turnover but does not fire up. I checked everything I could think off and didnt find anything wrong. I left it parked untill this morning hoping it would dry out and start but that didnt work either. Before I take this thing to the shop does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Dan

BTDT-try cleaning the mud off of the distributor cap.

If you don't have a distributor, clean the mud off the plug wires at both ends.

Thanks Paul! Forgot to mention its a 98 so no distributor. There really isnt much mud on the wires. Not much more than normal anyway. I did pull one of the wires at the plug to check for dirt inside but it was clean. Should I check and clean them all at both ends just in case?
Dan

(hoping no one will post the pictures)

Foolishly, my truck died on me while some PBB folks were present. Wouldn't you know, as soon as we pulled the cable and got it rigged, the damned truck started (I wasn't too upset).

In my case, it was certainly mud on and around the distributor cap. In your case, let us hope it is just mud as there are components on the newer trucks that are less forgiving thent he older ones.

You may benefit from cleaning the debris from both ends of the plug wires as mud may have gotten where it didn't belong, worse yet, the mud that was deposited there may have become burned and is now very conductive.

All of this assumes you have no MIL lights lit.

Peace,
Paul

No lights are lit. Im at work now but as soon as I get home I'll go and pull all the wires at both ends and clean everything, see if that works. Anything else I should check while Im at it?
Thanks,
Dan

Your starter is low down and certainly gets nasty, clean the + wire that goes to it and the ground wires on it. Be careful unscrewing the nut that holds the + cable to starter solenoid, the post is weak and will snap with-out too much effort..

look in your dist cap for any signs of arching or "pencil lead streaks" these are colored lines that indicate arching.

Ever had any issues with the key starting it when clean, if so maybe it's time for a new ignition tumbler lock/key ?

can you hear the fuel pump running?

How do I know if the fuel pump is running? What should I listen for? Where abouts is the starter? Its a GEMS, no distributor.
Thanks all,
Dan

Originally posted by DanC
How do I know if the fuel pump is running? What should I listen for?

You can check the pump by having a helper turn the key while you put your ear to the cargo area floor in the center and listen for the whirring of the pump. If you don't hear anything, make sure the wires have not corroded through or the electrical connection is soaked. Pull up the carpet and mat and it's easy to check --

http://www.4x4wire.com/rover/maintenance/fuelpumpinstall/oldpump.jpg

Put a meter on the wires to make sure you're getting power to the pump too.

The pump top and wires can get wet easily, there's easy access for water and mud.

YOU ARE ALL WRONG!

Well maybe not but . . .

Does the check engine light go through self test?

Turn the key, if you see the check engine light on and then go out then you are ok, however, odds are you do not see it at all. This means there is an issue with your ecu. It is on the P/S inner fender up by the bulkhead. Remove the plastic cover and take out the 8mm bolts holing it in. At the bottom you will see a could pin holes, this where the mud/water got in.

Take it apart carefully while you make sure to ground yourself against static charge, clean it out with distilled water or a proprietary electical contact cleaner then let it dry and reinstall.

You don't have a dizzy and a fuel pump would not cause an immediate die it would sputter.

Ron

PS it could also be the crank sensor but odds are it is the ecu. Not much else on GEMS can get wet and cause a no start (unlike the 14CUX)