Mi16 None Starter! No Spark!

[ChrisG 0]

Ok so its been a while since i last posted but I have a friend with a 1.6 converted into an Mi16 who is having problems getting it going and i said id drop you guys a line see if anyone could help!!. Its been running fine untill recently......

 

After been left for a few days the car would turn over but not run....after continuing to turn the car over it eventually started and ran. When left again the following weekend the same thing happened again! Cranking and cranking but no joy untill suddenly jumping into life!! It would run down the road and after few minutes started to play up! Revs would drop and car would die but then after few times of dipping clutch and trying to bump off whilst still moving it would start going again!!! Ran fine for few days untill recently stopped starting.

 

So my friend has checked for spark at end of HT leads which there is none, checked coil by putting spark plug on king Ht lead...still no spark...changed the coil for new one...still no spark...checked ignition amplifier...was an old one so replaced it for new one with appropiate heat sink paste behind...still no spark!...Looked at TDC/Crank sensor, wires looked bit dodgy so changed that too!...still no spark!

 

Then moved onto checking wiring connections at coil, ign amp, crank sensor, afm etc....all cleaned with WD40 and cleaned, theres 12v ignition feeds getting to both coil and ign amp too,.. checked fuel seems to be getting through...battery earths and ignition amp earths seem to be ok...all wiring loom seems ok!!!!!

 

Just running out of ideas now, my friend said it started to play up and then gradually get worse untill no go what so ever!!!!

 

Just to recap all new parts fitted....

New HT leads

New Spark plugs

New Distributor and new arm

New Coil

New Ignition Amp

New TDC/Crank sensor

 

So if anyone can shed some light or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated as the cars just sat up not able to move at the moment!!!! Thanks!!!!!!

[Anthony 1,003]

Replace the relays on the Mi16 loom (probably behind the drivers headlight) as when they're failing they can cause similar symptoms.

 

Just standard green 4 pin 25 amp relays that are very common on most European cars and any motor factors will sell them cheaply.

[ChrisG 0]

Replace the relays on the Mi16 loom (probably behind the drivers headlight) as when they're failing they can cause similar symptoms.

 

Just standard green 4 pin 25 amp relays that are very common on most European cars and any motor factors will sell them cheaply.

 

Is that the ones that control fuel and ignition??? Think one clicks when ignition turns on and one clicks when engine is cranking. Seem to be working ok but will give any thing a go!!! Theres also a green four pin relay screwed to bulkhead just to right hand side of water expansion tank..is that worth replacing do you think???

[Anthony 1,003]

Ignore the one on the bulkhead as that's unrelated.

 

On the Mi16 loom, one powers the engine management, and one powers the fuel pump.

 

Even if they click its always worth swapping them, as it clicking doesn't actually mean that it's (reliably) energising - there's normally a couple of suitable relays in the main fusebox (in the glovebox) that are suitable. Either that, or for testing purposes just unplug the relays and join the two thick wires on each plug together so that it's constantly powered.

[ChrisG 0]

Ignore the one on the bulkhead as that's unrelated.

 

On the Mi16 loom, one powers the engine management, and one powers the fuel pump.

 

Even if they click its always worth swapping them, as it clicking doesn't actually mean that it's (reliably) energising - there's normally a couple of suitable relays in the main fusebox (in the glovebox) that are suitable. Either that, or for testing purposes just unplug the relays and join the two thick wires on each plug together so that it's constantly powered.

 

Cheers will bob down and give it a go tomorrow! See how we get on!! Not sure if ecu could be at fault do you?

[Anthony 1,003]

Unlikely, but not impossible - Mi16 ECU's are generally pretty reliable in my experience.

 

Looms (especially with some "questionable" standards of conversion), AFM's and relays are generally what tends to fail in my experience.

[ChrisG 0]

Ok thanks! Fingers crossed we can get it going tomorrow!!!

[macaroni 17 1 Cars]

If that's not the answer, did you get a genuine Bosch ignition amp, made in Germany with the blue insert?

My car is very sensitive to the right ignition module.

 

Just a thought.

[NeilGTi85 5]

Have you checked all the earth connections for resistance? I had a similar problem with a S16 a few years back, it was an earth to the passenger wing. It all looked fine, but when I tested it with a multi meter it was not earthing properly, abit of sand paper solved all my issues.

 

Also had alot of problems from a dodgy ignition amp from ECP!

[ChrisG 0]

Thanks guys, will give it a good look over tomorrow! Will let you know how we get on!

[luggy 13]

Clean any corrosion on on the relay connections, male and female, with sand paper or like Anthony suggested replace them.

 

If that doesn't work your final option is the ECU.

[ChrisG 0]

Ok guys....so drum roll please............................................Im pleased to announce that the 205 Mi16 lives again!!!!! After many hours this morning following suggestions we managed to get the old girl up and running again!!!

 

We started off by stripping the wiring back and making sure all connections were clean and free of corrosion which included taking off the engine earth and coil pack earth and sanding down to make sure it was all squeeky clean!!! We replaced the two fuel and ignition relays located behind the drivers side headlight as well as a matter of course as well as checking we had sufficient voltage at the coil pack and ignition amplifier. We also checked continuity between amp and coil which was ok. We tried to start the car at this point which seemed to turn over abit better but still wouldnt run!

 

At this point we tried replacing the new ignition amp with the old one......and what do you know it started straight away!!! Whoooop Whoooop!! We again replaced the old ign amp with new one and failed to start, swapped over again and started once more!!! When looking at the ign amp the new one was a copied part and not genuine bosch item...it still looked like a bosch one with blue insert but no writing on it what so ever!

 

I guess if anyones reading this then id suggest replacing the amp for a genuine one only not anything else! Anyway it starts and runs ok now so thanks again for everyones help!!!

 

Cheers guys!

[macaroni 17 1 Cars]

Excellent - well done and my suggestion worked. Do I get a prize?

 

Its amazing how sensitive these are cars are to the correct ignition module. I even bought a Bosch one once that was all black and made in USA that made the car run horribly. Mine has to have a German made Bosch amp with the blue insert.

Where can you get such original items from these days?

Edited November 28, 2011 by macaroni