Hi Chuck,
It sounds like you have it pretty well diagnosed. It sounds like the engine may be frozen. I like to use Marvel Mystery Oil to soak the cylinders for a day or two then see if it will break loose. Try gently rocking the engine crankshaft by hand to free it up after oil soaking then crank the engine with the plugs removed to push the oil through before trying to start it. The Link is probably being drawn down by the stalled starter (low voltage or current) and is likely okay. Hope this helps, Mark _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Wills Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2010 6:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: engine seized? bad electrical? Hey guys, After almost 3 years off the road, I'm finally trying to get my 97 FM2 running again. I took it apart to replace the wiring harness and ended up doing suspension, cooling system and brakes too. I'm getting close to having it back together, and went to start it today... and got nothing. I haven't done a lot of trouble shooting yet, and thought I'd come here for ideas first. The Link boots up and I get all the dashboard lights. Fuel pump runs. When I turn the key to start, the engine will not spin, the tach goes to 2500 and there's a buzzing under the hood that sounds like a jammed electric motor. I do not hear anything like a starter engaging.... just the buzzing. Then the Link screen goes to all black bars and appears to reboot. The battery has a decent charge, and I've also tried with a charger hooked up for extra boost. So... I pulled the plugs and #3 was really rusty, with a rust spot on top of the piston. I have no idea what leaked... but something did. I didn't have my big wrench handy, but with the plugs out I could not get the engine to turn by hand. Considering the car has been in pieces for so long, it makes trouble shooting a little harder. Any ideas on what I should be looking at first? If the engine is seized up, what's the best way to break it loose? I double checked the wiring harness compatibility when I swapped it 2 years ago, so everything should be good there, but I'm not certain that it's not part of the problem. thanks! -Chuck
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