Technical stuff > Ignition

No Spark - ongoing issue - RESOLVED!

(1/4) > >>

spyder_resto:
Hi Everyone
I have been struggling to get my car (1979 2.0 spider with Bosch electronic ignition) started.
New cap, new leads and new plugs. New coil also
The issue is that I am not getting spark - have put spark plug onto ht lead and nothing.

What i have noticed today however is that when I turn key to position before last position (i.e where it cranks engine then I am getting a spark).  When I crank engine there is no spark.
I have a dodgy ignition switch , sometimes it cranks and sometimes it just clicks and you have to take key in and out and mess with it before the key will turn and fully crank engine.

I  need to change my ignition switch in any event.
Could this be the cause of car not starting?

Have also checked earth cables and cleaned up where they make contact on engine block and alternator.  - Have tested with multimeter and no drop in battery voltage when i check against body vs across battery.
Does anyone have a new ignition switch for sale at all? I saw that club is currently out of stock.

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Simon

WestonE:
Hi Simon.

Yes a dodgy ignition switch is very likely to be the issue, but also take the Distributor cap rotor and plastic shield off and check the condition of the wires to the ignition amplifier pickup.

Sorry I have no switches for sale. There are usually some on ebay.

Eric

JohnFol:
Hi Simon, I had a replacement ignition switch from MidWest Bayless.

It's actually a Fiat 126 but with a wiring change.

I have details if you get stuck.

Nigel:
I had a total failure earlier this year where the engine was initially running
well, then started to misfire for about 5 minutes, then cut out completely.

After recovery to home, I found an open circuit on the rotor arm.

I read that you have seen a spark, but it's worth checking. There is a resistor inside
which I suspect can partially fail before total.

Nigel

WestonE:
Good point Nigel

A new distributor cap rotor, plugs and HT leads should be routine service work for a reliable car. If any of these are old and shabby they will take their revenge. This followed by checking ignition timing, changing filters, oil and belts and failing rubber hoses is how you get to enjoy the car not ride on flat beds. Note the ignition switches are poor and you should run the ignition via a relay to stop the contacts inside melting into the plastic over time. This is an early job on Montecarlos which fail the same way.

Eric   

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page