p38 not starting

can anyone please help? 3 weeks ago i started my p38,let it run while i de-iced windows,as its an automatic i put it in reverse and the engine stopped,it has not started since and ive tried several things.the engine turns over but does not want to start.all spark plugs have been taken out and cleaned and reset,all leads seem fine,we dried the engine out as it was getting damp ,we have also fitted a new battery.today we rocked the car while it was in reverse and it made a clunk sound,but still will not start.all leads on plugs ok,used some quick start spray also.engine seems to want to fire but just will not,can anyone please help with further suggestions

first you must put where you are, you need to do a code read. tell us more about the car. [ie] year of car engine fitted to car, if you want help you have to first help yourself..

As J said!

Have you tried it in P and N with footbrake on? Might be faulty sensor on selector

As within the remarks, he does state the engine turns over, so prob not a faulty switch on the gear selector?

is the check engine light coming on when key is pos 2?

May need a re-sync with the becm.

Engine is turning on key, so shouldn`t be g-box/sensor fault?
Assuming you`ve tried tuning it over with a spark-plug out `n` you`re getting a big fat spark? If "trying to fire with Easy-Start" then sounds like a fuel supply problem? Turn it over again, then pull a plug. If wet with petrol you`re getting fuel , if not , voila. If cranking it over with plug out does produce big sparks and there is also a smell of petrol , then you "should" have all the ingredients for success. As encouragement, pull all the plugs and warm`em up in the oven, then re-insert. Double check leads are on correctly. (basic, but easy to do if cold tired `n`fed-up).

thanks everyone for your help so far.our p38 is a year 1996,4.0se,and we live near dumfries.i tried it in p and n,but nothing.engine light is on when in pos 2.i did take a plug out to see about a spark,there was a spark and the plugs are wet again with fuel.i read on the past forum someone said a faulty crank sensor?i just cant understand why it had started but engine failed when i put it in reverse.engine sounds so close to starting but wont and ive ran out of ideas,so i REALLY appreciate all and any help you can give us.paul

The spark really needs to be a big fat one in free air, as it`s harder to make sparks in compressed fuel vapour. Assuming that`s good then I think, yes, read more about crank-sensor. A spark in the wrong place/time is useless.

thanks very much gtland,i took a plug out and with it connected to lead put it on the metalwork of car,and spark seemed ok.am i correct in thinking the crank sensor is under car about half way along?if so when i got the car it was surrounded by a plastic bag,so maybe there has been a problem before?i shall clean connection,other than that would it be a case of renewing the sensor?thanks again in advance.paul

Having a diesel I`ve not played with the sensor on a V8 so any advice I could give from here on would be 2nd hand, so suggest you do a search. There`s lots about it on here. Good luck and hope it`s warmer there than here,

well thanks for your help anyway.someone said today that possible the fuel had frozen and now has water in so would not fire up?cold and wet here but a big improvement on what we have had! all best

Gotta be bloody cold for petrol to freeze! Flashpoint of -72deg.C. Diesel can wax at low temps, but, as supplied in winter should have additives to be good even in recent cold snap. (any-one using diesel stored since summer may find probs tho`). Any water contamination could cause problems, as water is immisible in both petrol and diesel. Any water lying low in the bottom of the tank or filters can freeze and cause a blockage. But from your previous posts it doesn`t sound as if this is your problem.