OK, so I was out last weekend (in the sunny UK), on a hot day, in my 1983 Pininfarina spidereuropa 2000 injection. I visited a few stores and on stopping at the last one my thermostatic radiator fan cut in as I walking away. No problems I thought as it's a hot day (25C - though that might be cool where you are...). On returning the fan was off. The car was somewhat reluctant to start, (never been a problem before), but it eventually "cleared its throat" and I drove away OK.
About 1 mile down the road the engine died, like a switch being turned off - not a misfire it just died. It restarted immediately but died completely again as soon as it got to about 2000 rpm. It then did the same thing again, again and again and again. This did not amuse the driver of the truck behind me! I found a petrol (gas) station and parked safely off the road. I popped the bonnet (hood) and it was all very hot, including the ignition coil. It restarted but as soon as it got to about 2000 rpm it just died. I left it to cool and then it wouldn't start all all - just turned over on the starter motor and didn't fire.
A passing petrolhead helped me check to see if there was a spark coming from the coil, but there was nothing, nor was there a spark when the recovery truck guy checked after he arrived, about 2.5 rather boring hours later...
So, to you experienced folks out there, does this sound like a failed ignition coil/condenser/module, or is it something else?
Cheers
Derek.
1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start -UPDATED
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derekgale
1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start -UPDATED
Last edited by derekgale on Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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narfire
- Posts: 3959
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
- Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
- Location: Naramata B.C.
Re: 1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start.
Take the dist cap off and have a look at the pick up and the two wires comming off it. They get brittle and cause grief when pooched.
Also check where the white wire conects onto the ignition module that is under the coil. I've had issues with mine where it slides off the spade conectors cutting the engine.(zap-strapped it tight) Not a common thing but seems I've had numerous "not common" things happen to my car
Chris
Also check where the white wire conects onto the ignition module that is under the coil. I've had issues with mine where it slides off the spade conectors cutting the engine.(zap-strapped it tight) Not a common thing but seems I've had numerous "not common" things happen to my car
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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derekgale
Re: 1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start.
Here's the latest...
I've checked the coil and it has 1.4 Ohm resistance on the low voltage side, and 10K ohm on the the high voltage side. I've removed the wires from the coil to the dizzy, and connected a temporary wire, that I can connect to the earth, from the coil negative pole. I turned the Ignition on and put the end of the coil king lead close to the cylinder head. Touching the temporary wire to the earth gave a spark from the coil king lead to the head. Conclusion? The coil is OK.
Next stage: Disconnect the distributor Hall Sensor lead from the ignition module and check its resistance. It was about 600 Ohm, which I understand is OK (600-800 Ohm). The leads on the Hall Sensor look OK too, both inside and outside of the dizzy. Conclusion? The Hall Sensor is OK.
Finally: The last component I can think of is the ignition module. I understand that these work, or they don't work. However without a definitely working one it's hard to test if the one on my car is working... Looks like I'll need to buy one of these and fit it. Middle Barton Garage (specialists here in the UK) have them in stock at about 50 GBP.
How does this sound as a strategy?
I've checked the coil and it has 1.4 Ohm resistance on the low voltage side, and 10K ohm on the the high voltage side. I've removed the wires from the coil to the dizzy, and connected a temporary wire, that I can connect to the earth, from the coil negative pole. I turned the Ignition on and put the end of the coil king lead close to the cylinder head. Touching the temporary wire to the earth gave a spark from the coil king lead to the head. Conclusion? The coil is OK.
Next stage: Disconnect the distributor Hall Sensor lead from the ignition module and check its resistance. It was about 600 Ohm, which I understand is OK (600-800 Ohm). The leads on the Hall Sensor look OK too, both inside and outside of the dizzy. Conclusion? The Hall Sensor is OK.
Finally: The last component I can think of is the ignition module. I understand that these work, or they don't work. However without a definitely working one it's hard to test if the one on my car is working... Looks like I'll need to buy one of these and fit it. Middle Barton Garage (specialists here in the UK) have them in stock at about 50 GBP.
How does this sound as a strategy?
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majicwrench
Re: 1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start -UPDATED
You have done good, I am impressed. Change the module and start er up.
Keith
Keith
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derekgale
Re: 1983 Injected 2000 engine died, now won't start - RESOLVED
New ignition module obtained via my local garage/service station for just 24 UKP rather than 50 UKP quoted by specialist.
I fitted it today and the car started first time. Yay!!! Was fine on a test drive.
For those in the UK who need an ignition module, it's got a Lucas code: DAB 125. Any decent motor factor should be able to cross reference that and supply one.
I fitted it today and the car started first time. Yay!!! Was fine on a test drive.
For those in the UK who need an ignition module, it's got a Lucas code: DAB 125. Any decent motor factor should be able to cross reference that and supply one.