1.9 Gti Keeps Cutting Out

[the pugman! 0]

Hi guys, i have a 1988 205gti 1.9 and after getting warm, the motor all of a sudden just clean cuts out, then it's just impossible to start again, it spins until the battery starts slowing up and gets sluggish. I had to get the damn car taken home on a recovery truck as i just could not fire it up, i had someone previously jump start me but 2 miles on it cut out yet again and never restarted!!, please help before i go completely mad!!. aaaargh!!

[Anthony 1,003]

When it doesn't start, check the basics - do you have a spark, is the fuel pump running, is fuel being injected?

 

Without knowing more details than you've given, it would be wild guesswork trying to suggest what's wrong.

[dcc 855]

have you replace dizzy cap, rotor, leads, plugs, ecu temp, afm

 

think that just about covers it.

 

Oh and by the way, have a search.

[tom pug 2 1 Cars]

Sounds like it could be your coil breaking down when you get it hot, try swapping it over and give it a try.

[the pugman! 0]

When it doesn't start, check the basics - do you have a spark, is the fuel pump running, is fuel being injected?

 

Without knowing more details than you've given, it would be wild guesswork trying to suggest what's wrong.

yes its got fuel pressure as its comes out the filter when turning motor over , i undid the fuel filter bango to check. the spark plugs are dry as a bone though after 15 minutes of turning over?!

[Anthony 1,003]

Do you have a spark when cranking over?

[the pugman! 0]

Do you have a spark when cranking over?

no not checked for spark as did not know safely how to!, any idea's how to check she's sparking without electricuting meself?!! currently charging battery up as it went dead cranking the motor over on and off all day!. many thanks bud :-)

[Anthony 1,003]

Remove one of the HT leads, remove the spark plug, plug it back into the HT lead and rest the threaded bit of the plug against something metal (manifold, fuel rail etc) - crank it over and check for spark (might need a 2nd person)

 

Don't hold the HT lead in your hand whilst cranking...

[the pugman! 0]

Remove one of the HT leads, remove the spark plug, plug it back into the HT lead and rest the threaded bit of the plug against something metal (manifold, fuel rail etc) - crank it over and check for spark (might need a 2nd person)

 

Don't hold the HT lead in your hand whilst cranking...

Ok thanks Anthony mate, will do it tomorrow when i reconnect the charged battery!, then if there is a spark, it surely has to be a fueling/sensor/ecu issue! cheers

[the pugman! 0]

right, latest update on non starting 205gti !.......have cranked over the engine and there is no spark at the plugs!, so presumably no pulses either from injectors so thats why plugs are dry! anyone sort what this could now be? many many thanks

[the pugman! 0]

Sounds like it could be your coil breaking down when you get it hot, try swapping it over and give it a try.

Hi Tom.....you may well be right there, it sounds like the coil has broken down gradually then given out totally, do they go like that, gradually then?. I must try and get hold of a coil but is there a way i can be certain before i start adding/buying a new one....can the coil be output tested with a multimeter on cranking the motor over ? many thanks mate on this

[dcc 855]

wouldnt bet on it being the coil but worth a change. I cant remember if it sparks when the tachometric(however it is spelt) relay dies. I had one die on me completely out of the blue. been driving car for a few hours, pulled over at service went to drive off and no joy! Luckily I carry spare and a quick swap all was good.

[the pugman! 0]

wouldnt bet on it being the coil but worth a change. I cant remember if it sparks when the tachometric(however it is spelt) relay dies. I had one die on me completely out of the blue. been driving car for a few hours, pulled over at service went to drive off and no joy! Luckily I carry spare and a quick swap all was good.

Yes did think tachometric relay as its in wiring diagram off the injectors in haynes manual! , so where is that located then in orderto replace/check it? many thanks again

[Anthony 1,003]

Won't be anything to do with the tachymetric relay if there's no spark - that powers the injectors and fuel pump.

 

Check that there's 12v at the coil when the ignition is on, and from there, I'd be checking the coil, ignition amp, the timing lead from the dizzy, and it's possible that the dizzy itself is breaking down. The fuel injection is run from the output from the ignition side of things, so no ignition, no injection.

[the pugman! 0]

Won't be anything to do with the tachymetric relay if there's no spark - that powers the injectors and fuel pump.

 

Check that there's 12v at the coil when the ignition is on, and from there, I'd be checking the coil, ignition amp, the timing lead from the dizzy, and it's possible that the dizzy itself is breaking down. The fuel injection is run from the output from the ignition side of things, so no ignition, no injection.

Ok many thanks, will try and check to see if there's 12v at the coil. What is the ignition amp/module and where is it?. This is all becoming rather a nightmare as there seems to be so much likely to cause this car not to start!. Many thanks once again for all your input on this though, hopefully we can get it running again soon!. Cheers.

[the pugman! 0]

Ok many thanks, will try and check to see if there's 12v at the coil. What is the ignition amp/module and where is it?. This is all becoming rather a nightmare as there seems to be so much likely to cause this car not to start!. Many thanks once again for all your input on this though, hopefully we can get it running again soon!. Cheers.

Many thanks to for all your input on this issue however i have now finally resolved the problem!!! yessssss!! It was the ignition amp!, i got a 2nd hand one from a mate and swapped them over and the car fired up 1st time!!. SORTED. Happy Days!!! Cheers. :-)