my cosworth has this starting problem all of a sudden!
last monday to thursday car wouldn't spark, checked everything, couldn't find a problem

i kept cranking her over then it just started to spark, put plugs in and she fired up, its running A1 when it does start

now just sometimes it needs to be cranking over for a good while before she fires up, other time look at the key and shes away!

i replaced phase sensor, crank sensor, distrib cap and rotor arm

still the same

any ideas anyone?

 

could it be a alarm fault ,my saff sometimes does this then i leave it for a minute its ok

 

its not an alarm fault as i've removed it from wiring to rule it out!
forgot to metion my engine is in a mk2 escort

 

my cosworth has stopped working on way back from the ring and i went to start car and a big puff of smoke apeared from the bonnet and smelt like burnt wiring but checked wires and seems oky and checked fuses and am getting ignition on dash but nothing happens when i turn key any help will be appreciated

 

I would check the main earth strap is nice and tight, if it isn't they tend to try and get some earth through the ecu earth points when you operate the starter and fry the ecu.
If main earth is good, most likely a duff starter, or solenoid, does it run etc if you bump start it ?
Bridge the connectors on the solenoid, the two 13mm nuts and see if the starter spins, it won't spin the engine as not engaged, this will narrow down to the motor itself or the solenoid at fault.
If the starter has had a bad oil leak leaking oil in the starter it kills the carbon brushes and will smoke etc a lot and not turn over.
tabetha