No Spark Problem - Help

[Joehow 0]

Hi,

 

I am having a little trouble with my poor little Gti. A couple of weeks ago it just died on me, I went to engage third from second gear and it just lost all power and ground to a halt.

 

I called the RAC thinking it was something terminal - I had just got back from the Ring a few days ago. It turned out I have no spark.

 

Now I have replaced the ignition module to no avail as well as the distributor and the coil pack all of which I have been advised could be the issue - this did not help at all.

 

The car was running perfectly and then just dropped off, there was not a period of rough running etc.

 

Maybe it is just refusing to get fixed as it was for sale.

 

Any ideas, my local garage is stumped and the auto electrician we use who is usually brilliant is a little lost as well.

 

Could the ECU or wiring loom have given up?

 

I did do a search but nothing was exactly the same so I really appreciate the help.

[welshpug 1,657]

still a standard 8valver on jetronic?

[Joehow 0]

Yeah standard 1.9 1992 K-reg.

 

Does have an old Toad immoboliser with a Fob but if it was that it would stop the car turning over which I can do as it is now.

[welshpug 1,657]

ok, fairly simple checks to do, do you have 12v+ at the coil on the big red wire when the ignition is on?

 

check the condition of the lead from dizzy to ignition amp, pull back the rubber boot on the plug and make sure the terminals are pushed home, then test the continuity from the dizzy to the ignition amp plug via the 3 pin plug.

 

if all that is good, then it could be a coil or amp down, rarely do the windings in the dizzy give issue.

 

 

 

DCC had a similar problem not so long ago and spent weeks faffing, within 5-10 mins I had it running, terminals had pulled out of the 3 pin connector and were sat deep in the rubber boot

Edited September 6, 2012 by welshpug

[Joehow 0]

Thanks.

 

I have had all the connections checked, but didn't get actual figures so will try again and also look for the pins. I have replaced the coil and that didn't help.

 

AMP - excuse my lack of knowledge on this?

 

If all this is as it should be and it doesn't start could it be a failed ECU?

 

Thanks

Edited September 6, 2012 by Joehow

[Anthony 1,003]

No - ECU controls fuelling only on Jetronic.

[Joehow 0]

Thanks Anthony.

 

Stupid question but can a loom fail?

[Anthony 1,003]

Yes - it's rare, but I've had it happen with a suspected broken wire between dizzy and ignition amp.

 

What is far more common is the flying lead from the dizzy breaking down as Welshpug mentioned, or the pins inside the connector(s) getting pushed back and not making contact - the later seems less likely if you've not had it apart recently though.

 

The ignition side of things on Jetronic is pretty straight forward and there's only a small number of things that can cause a lack of spark - and it sounds like you've already ruled out some of them (I'm assuming the parts that you swapped were known good?)

[Joehow 0]

Ignition module was new, nothing happened, dizzy was swapped for a working item, all the related wires between the two distributors were swapped for consistency as well to see if any were broken. Coil Pack also swapped for a new one and no luck.

 

I will check the points you've raised again and ask the auto electrician. It was one of those annoying things that someone like yourself or Miles could fix in 5 minutes but for people who rarely work on them anymore it is a bit of a pain in the but.

 

Still I miss it I have bought an r53 Mini Cooper S and it's just not as nice as the 205 so need to get it working again!

Edited September 6, 2012 by Joehow

[Joehow 0]

Right, my auto electrician has tried all the plugs each as well each component that he feels could be leading to the lack of spark and they are all working individually yet still no spark!

 

Any further ideas.... Im lost.

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

On the 3 pin plug that goes to the dizzy do you have a 12v feed and earth ? if this is ok the third pin is the O wire, if you touch this on an off a good earth with the ignition on you should get a spark from the coil HT lead if held by a earth.

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

A point to add, have you checked for a spark into the dizzy from the coil lead or have you only checked for a spark at the plug end ?

[Joehow 0]

On the 3 pin plug that goes to the dizzy do you have a 12v feed and earth ? if this is ok the third pin is the O wire, if you touch this on an off a good earth with the ignition on you should get a spark from the coil HT lead if held by a earth.

 

Yes 12v, I will check with John the guy I use about the O wire.

 

A point to add, have you checked for a spark into the dizzy from the coil lead or have you only checked for a spark at the plug end ?

 

Yes again there is a spark into the dizzy from the coil lead, sum of all parts still giving no spark though...

Edited September 16, 2012 by Joehow

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

if there is a spark into the dizzy but not at the plug it sounds like a fault rotor arm.

[Joehow 0]

if there is a spark into the dizzy but not at the plug it sounds like a fault rotor arm.

 

Not the rotor arm apparently this was checked.

 

I am at a loss

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

How was the rotor arm checked? they can look perfect to the eye but the resistor within the arm could be faulty. The best way to check it is fit a new one (they are cheap to buy)

 

If it has a good spark into the dizzy from the coil but no spark at the plugs it is the only answer.

Edited September 17, 2012 by Dizzee stuff

[mhyphenl 10 1 Cars]

i think the engine would turn over even if the immob was activated, mine did, it just stops the spark not the starter motor! I think its your alarm!

[Joehow 0]

My immboliser if not deactivated with the fob refuses to even let the engine be cranked. I am able to deactivate the immobiliser and crank the engine - just no ignition.

[James_K 6 1 Cars]

The symptoms you have sound exactly the same as happened to me a while ago, car just died with no prior warning.

I ended up replacing dizzy cap and ignition amp with no joy.

It turned out to be the rotor arm (which was fairly new), even when electrically tested it seemed fine but no spark being passed on. Probably the cheapest part to replace as well..

[Joehow 0]

The symptoms you have sound exactly the same as happened to me a while ago, car just died with no prior warning.

I ended up replacing dizzy cap and ignition amp with no joy.

It turned out to be the rotor arm (which was fairly new), even when electrically tested it seemed fine but no spark being passed on. Probably the cheapest part to replace as well..

 

Thanks James - that does sound exactly the same as mine and I have replaced the things as you have said, you're right the rotor arm is very cheap so worth ago.

 

Fingers crossed, I really want it back.

[Joehow 0]

Right I placed the rotor arm - no luck.

 

I have just spoken to the auto electrician and it seems I was misinformed and there is no spark getting to the distributor.

 

I have replaced the distributor, coil pack and the ignition module but no luck. Could a wire have failed between the distributor and the ignition module.

 

I really feel it needs a specialist to look at it but I dont know anyone within a reasonable distance who knows the car that well.

 

Anyone fancy a visit to South East London for a poke around the 205. PLEASE

[kb_205 11]

Did you get this issue solved?? My 1.9 is having the exact same problems.

I DO have a power feed in the spade connectors ontop of the coil, but NO power from the main plug at the top of coil . I tried a new coil but no luck

Could this issue be the ignition amp?? After thinking it was an immobiliser issue i removed

All associated wiring and re-connected as should be. There is Fuel. Starter motor runs as it

Should. Just left with the problem between coil pack and dizzy.

 

Getting frustrated now and am pleased to have got this far ; )

 

Pls help

[Carbs4me 45]

Ignition amps can cause the problem with no spark.

 

If are going to replace it, make sure you don get a boosh replacement.