Intermittent Starting Issue
Discussion
Had an issue come to light over the Easter break, a couple of times the car was turning over fine but failing to start up. Now the car has had the imobiliser ripped out previously so it's not that, the fuel pump was primimg all fine and the starter motor was turning it over at a really good rate.
It did this a couple of times over the 4 day break, but started fine the other 20 odd times fine.
When it happened I just found that waiting a minute then trying again it seemed to start fine?
The car has had new plugs around 800 miles ago, although from looking through the history I think the leads are a couple of years older and the coil looks older too.
From what I have read online through searches etc I think it could be the igniton amp maybe?
Any ideas?
It did this a couple of times over the 4 day break, but started fine the other 20 odd times fine.
When it happened I just found that waiting a minute then trying again it seemed to start fine?
The car has had new plugs around 800 miles ago, although from looking through the history I think the leads are a couple of years older and the coil looks older too.
From what I have read online through searches etc I think it could be the igniton amp maybe?
Any ideas?
Hi Matt - Certainly sounds like the module, Coil Leads, Distributor/Rotor area, I am sure someone will be along soon with how to check exactly which bit, is broken down.
I understand that if you run it in the dark with the bonnet up you may see sparks around the module etc that will indicate a break down (I haven't tried myself).
I understand that if you run it in the dark with the bonnet up you may see sparks around the module etc that will indicate a break down (I haven't tried myself).
Rugbyfester said:
Hi Matt - Certainly sounds like the module, Coil Leads, Distributor/Rotor area, I am sure someone will be along soon with how to check exactly which bit, is broken down.
I understand that if you run it in the dark with the bonnet up you may see sparks around the module etc that will indicate a break down (I haven't tried myself).
Hi Paul, yes I agree, with my limited knowledge I do think it must be either 1 of the parts you have listed above, or a combination of 2 or more of them maybe?I understand that if you run it in the dark with the bonnet up you may see sparks around the module etc that will indicate a break down (I haven't tried myself).
Anyone else got any ideas / experience of this?
Cheers.
You need to work through the system to see where it has failed, difficult to do when it is working ok though!
Check all the HT Leads including the king lead with a multimeter for resistance are they all about the same or are there one or other leads that standout different?
Inspect dizzy cap/rotor arm for corrosion/build up & signs of arcing, also check with bonnet up in the dark for any signs of arcing from the ignition components whilst cranking/running
Inspect plug extenders for signs of wear/poor connections/arcing
Inspect wiring to coil/ignition amp for broken/corroded connections - it may just be an internal break in one of these wires causing the intermittent fault!
To work through I'd do :-
1) Remove fuel pump relay to prevent flooding while cranking
2) connect known good HT lead to coil directly to a spare/removed spark plug, leave plug on top of the plenum and crank it over, do you get a good fat blue spark ?
if yes problem is not coil/ignition amp, look at the dizzy cap/rotor arm
if you get a weak yellow spark, then the problem is either coil/ignition amp
To check coil :-
With the ignition on check you have +12v at the coil, remove connections to the coil, check resistance of low tension circuit -ve to +ve using 2k range and then check the resistance of low to high tension circuit -ve to king lead connector using 20k range if coil checks out ok then problem is ignition amp
hope this helps
Regards
UKDJ
Check all the HT Leads including the king lead with a multimeter for resistance are they all about the same or are there one or other leads that standout different?
Inspect dizzy cap/rotor arm for corrosion/build up & signs of arcing, also check with bonnet up in the dark for any signs of arcing from the ignition components whilst cranking/running
Inspect plug extenders for signs of wear/poor connections/arcing
Inspect wiring to coil/ignition amp for broken/corroded connections - it may just be an internal break in one of these wires causing the intermittent fault!
To work through I'd do :-
1) Remove fuel pump relay to prevent flooding while cranking
2) connect known good HT lead to coil directly to a spare/removed spark plug, leave plug on top of the plenum and crank it over, do you get a good fat blue spark ?
if yes problem is not coil/ignition amp, look at the dizzy cap/rotor arm
if you get a weak yellow spark, then the problem is either coil/ignition amp
To check coil :-
With the ignition on check you have +12v at the coil, remove connections to the coil, check resistance of low tension circuit -ve to +ve using 2k range and then check the resistance of low to high tension circuit -ve to king lead connector using 20k range if coil checks out ok then problem is ignition amp
hope this helps
Regards
UKDJ
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