No Spark Gremlins
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 22:10
For best part of a year now, I've had the odd occasion where my car just does not want to start. Normally, she starts as soon as the engine turns over.
Until this week, it's always been inconvenient timing and I've just had to use my other car, being unable to investigate.
The following day, probably after a recharge of the battery because I've taken a lot out trying to start, I'll get in and she'll fire up first time and run like a dream.
This routine has maybe happened on 2 or 3 occasions over a year. Fortunately, it's always happened at home.
Last week, I changed the timing belt and fortunately the car started and ran beautifully whilst it warmed up and on a short test drive.
Yesterday I put it on charge, then this morning - No start. Fuel pump ticks away,but no fire up.
For once I was able to investigate. There's good fuel pressure at the carb, but taking a plug out and looking for a spark - Nothing.
Unplugged the rev limiter - Still nothing.
Unplugged the feed to the AB14 from the dizzy and found one very bad connection. Only about 3 wire strands unbroken and very soon the blue wire had parted company from the socket and spade. - Both connections cleaned and remade. - Very hopeful this could have been the issue, but NO. Still no spark.
Next, Air box off and into the dizzy. Immediately noticed one side clip was not clipped over !! and the Vacuum pipe was disconnected and plugged !! Took the cap off and found some dry dusty powder like stuff scattered around inside. Rotor arm off and the inner cap taken out. This is where the dust came from.
No doubt all caused because one side of the cap was not clipped down. Cleaned it all up, blew compressed are around inside dizzy and cap, then rebuilt without the plastic cover, but taking care to ensure both sides of the cap were clipped down. Didn't do anything with the vacuum advance for now though.
She then fired up....But is it the fix, or had the gremlin just decided it was a good time to play the joker !!
For the record, my cars a MY 92 car with electronic ignition. Am I right the pick up is a hall effect sensor or is it optical. If optical, it could explain the issue if the broken bits got in the way, but I suspect it's a proximty type, hence no rational explanation I can see.
I wonder if she'll start tomorrow?
Tony
Until this week, it's always been inconvenient timing and I've just had to use my other car, being unable to investigate.
The following day, probably after a recharge of the battery because I've taken a lot out trying to start, I'll get in and she'll fire up first time and run like a dream.
This routine has maybe happened on 2 or 3 occasions over a year. Fortunately, it's always happened at home.
Last week, I changed the timing belt and fortunately the car started and ran beautifully whilst it warmed up and on a short test drive.
Yesterday I put it on charge, then this morning - No start. Fuel pump ticks away,but no fire up.
For once I was able to investigate. There's good fuel pressure at the carb, but taking a plug out and looking for a spark - Nothing.
Unplugged the rev limiter - Still nothing.
Unplugged the feed to the AB14 from the dizzy and found one very bad connection. Only about 3 wire strands unbroken and very soon the blue wire had parted company from the socket and spade. - Both connections cleaned and remade. - Very hopeful this could have been the issue, but NO. Still no spark.
Next, Air box off and into the dizzy. Immediately noticed one side clip was not clipped over !! and the Vacuum pipe was disconnected and plugged !! Took the cap off and found some dry dusty powder like stuff scattered around inside. Rotor arm off and the inner cap taken out. This is where the dust came from.
No doubt all caused because one side of the cap was not clipped down. Cleaned it all up, blew compressed are around inside dizzy and cap, then rebuilt without the plastic cover, but taking care to ensure both sides of the cap were clipped down. Didn't do anything with the vacuum advance for now though.
She then fired up....But is it the fix, or had the gremlin just decided it was a good time to play the joker !!
For the record, my cars a MY 92 car with electronic ignition. Am I right the pick up is a hall effect sensor or is it optical. If optical, it could explain the issue if the broken bits got in the way, but I suspect it's a proximty type, hence no rational explanation I can see.
I wonder if she'll start tomorrow?
Tony