eob 7 Posted January 24, 2006 I've been having a problem with my '92 1.6 GTi (I love it, it's mint) lately where the flipping thing just won't start. Cranks normally etc, but no smell of petrol from the exhaust and no ignition! I'm putting it down to a dodgy stacymetric relay which I can replace shortly except... I went poking to locate the relay in question by just looking underneath the dashboard, maybe poking a little but not much. When I popped my head back up, everything was dead. And I mean everything. The warning lights, radio, everything. Putting a meter on the battery tells me it's still got all juice, so what's up with my car? Help much appreciated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted January 24, 2006 Did you accidentally disconnect the wires from the ignition barrel as the connectors for these are next to the ECU. Starting problem I'd suggest looking at the flylead coming out of the dizzy and the yellow 3-pin plug - problems with this, which are common in this weather, cause no spark/injection. Chances are either the wire is damaged or the connector corroded up inside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted January 24, 2006 Did you disconnect any of the brown multiplugs that are up near the tachometric relay? One of them will stop everything from working if disconnected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted January 24, 2006 Or short out something and blow a load of fuses Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted January 24, 2006 Did you disconnect any of the brown multiplugs that are up near the tachometric relay? One of them will stop everything from working if disconnected. I believe some/most of the electrics should still work even with those disconnected, as that's only the feed for the engine management/igntion/gauges. Circuits that get power through the fusebox (ie most of them) are fed from a different source. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted January 24, 2006 I believe some/most of the electrics should still work even with those disconnected, as that's only the feed for the engine management/igntion/gauges. Circuits that get power through the fusebox (ie most of them) are fed from a different source. Aye, sorry. I didn't mean literally everything, just what he was referring to. But then I remembered just after, that when one of mine was not connected properly I was getting a response from the tachometric relay and some dash activity but not a lot else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Sounds like no feed from the ignition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eob 7 Posted January 24, 2006 I've removed that part of the dash by the ECU and had a good rummage around with my multimeter (being great and all), there's actually no positive charge going anywhere near that part of the dash (ie no + going to the ignition). Figures because I was thinking I didn't yank anything out. Back tracking from there....? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted January 24, 2006 What've you done since it last ran? Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted January 25, 2006 Obvious place to start is to see if the main fusebox power feed is live - it's the two thick brown wires towards the front from memory, which should be wire #1 and #1A. If there's no power there, then check the positive distribution block near the battery. If there is power there, but not getting to the ignition barrel, then the fault must lie either with the fusebox (unlikely) or somehow the wiring between the two has become damaged as (assuming Haynes is correct) the ignition barrel feed comes directly from the fusebox. Do non ignition-switched circuits such as the headlights still work? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eob 7 Posted January 25, 2006 Absolutely zip pT. I'd forgotten about the main distribution block in the engine bay, that's more than likely where the problem lies. Never thought of looking there (doh!). I've got that 309 GTi sitting here still with a big smiley head on it, so I'll start swopping over electrical components once power has been restored until it no longer has intermittent starting issues. Will post pics when I'm done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eob 7 Posted January 25, 2006 On closer inspection I found that there was a software fault in the ECU software which I replaced and emailed Bosch about, they were so impressed, they hired me on the spot and I'm posting this from Wolfsburg in my new BMW M6 company car which is full of hookers. Actually, the battery terminal melted from too much cold cranking and stopped everything dead, but the first excuse was more interesting. NEXT ON 205GTIDRIVERS.COM... EOB FORGETS HOW TO ENTER HIS CAR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kyepan 291 Posted January 25, 2006 On closer inspection I found that there was a software fault in the ECU software which I replaced and emailed Bosch about, they were so impressed, they hired me on the spot and I'm posting this from Wolfsburg in my new BMW M6 company car which is full of hookers. now thats funny! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted January 26, 2006 NEXT ON 205GTIDRIVERS.COM... EOB FORGETS HOW TO ENTER HIS CAR Via the tailpipe, surely? Just make sure you do it after dark, so you don't get done for public indecency Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
