Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

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Johnboyanderson
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Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Hello, new(ish) to the forum (finally guessed login) so firstly a massive thank you for all the time and effort people put in here – it's been an education. Only had our van for a few months now and learnt everything from this site and sorted a lot of stuff too. Awesome. 

If anyone can help here's the latest pain point:

I had a new engine fitted recently and it was running really well. 
Randomly it stopped idling last week but I could keep it going by holding the revs at junctions (tricky/annoying). 
Still running as normal. 

After reading a replay to a post on here it was pointed out that it could be an issue with distributor electrics. 
Found a broken wire from the ignition control unit to the hall sender just above the rubber boot on the distributor (Red/Black). Bingo. Well not quite…

Stripped back and re-connected the 3 wires to the housing (you can get the little connectors from RS components if anyone needs a link). But now it runs like a dog. Maybe only 2-3 cylinders firing. BUT it runs now, idle issue solved. 

Can I check if anyone knows the order of the wires going to the hall sender please in case I messed that up? 
Although I was very careful, took photos and as you probably know the connector housing only goes back in one way. 

From the front of the van back the order was (I hope): 
Brown/white
Green/white
Red/Black 

So if thats right I guess it could be a frazzled/broken wire back to the ignition control unit, bad connection or something else?
Any ideas much appreciated. 
 
1983 Transporter. 1.9 Waterbox. London.
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Mocki
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Mocki »

I’m pretty sure it’s
red  
green
black 
 

I would think the two issues are not connected , if it were what you did it wouldn’t run at all I think 
 
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by davidoft1 »

There’s more than one way to wire them up, take the distributor cap off and look inside to see the corresponding wire colours

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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by tobydog »

Johnboyanderson wrote: 16 Mar 2021, 22:32
Randomly it stopped idling last week but I could keep it going by holding the revs at junctions (tricky/annoying). 
Still running as normal. 

Not familiar with your engine, could it be the idle jet blocked (in the carb if you have one)?

What's the state of the rotor arm, leads, plugs, air filter etc.?
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Thanks everyone.

Will have a look at the cap, great idea! Then test for broken wires.

Idle jet been blasted and looks in decent nick. But could blast more. Rotor arm and cap look new.

Not had the van for long so still discovering a lot. Not always good.

Thanks a lot
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Johnboyanderson
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Looks like the wires line up ok
Red bottom
Green middle
Black top (lines up with brown on the outside)
Looks logical???

But nothing matches colour coding in hanes manual unless I’m just not getting it. Maybe it’s been played with like some schmuck like me :?

Maybe carb issue?
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Mocki »

I will just add here that it maybe worth checking the cone filter in the carb petrol inlet spigot , often causes similar symptoms as your original description 

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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Thanks Steve.
Did clear that at the weekend it had a nice Chunky bit of rubber hose wedged in it but actually ran really well with it in place somehow.

So just been out at it. Wires from control unit to distributor all good, tested and redid connections to make sure. Now it fires up well and idles but It’s missing on at least one cylinder (I guessing)

Wonder if it’s rotor arm or bad lead? Weird that this happened at the sane time as it was running lovely, just not idling.

Thanks all
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by davidoft1 »

Check the idle control solenoid too

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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Mocki »

Swap the plug leads around ( not the order of firing , just take  from the one you think isn’t firing and replace it with a spare ) 

if the engine is cold, as soon as you start it, you can feel with your fingers the header of the exhaust on each port , you should tell which one is not getting warm ( or use a infrared thermometer if you have office workers skin )
Steve
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Johnboyanderson
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Thanks again guys.

Idle control solenoid. Just checking that’s the one on the front of the carb that shuts off when you turn ignition off??? If so I tested that and it’s popping in/out ok when I earthed it. The idle issue ok now it’s just chugging.

I’ll check the leads too, thanks. It’s been running a bit rich I believe and choke has been heavy in recent cold weather, so could it be that the plugs need a clean up and carb/idle Resetting or choke fixing somehow?

Cheers for quick replies! 🙏
1983 Transporter. 1.9 Waterbox. London.
(New to the game)

Johnboyanderson
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Interesting post that’s related I guess viewtopic.php?f=37&t=171666
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SurfT25
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by SurfT25 »

Chunk of rubber by the filter ! :?
Best change your petrol pipes and check no fuel filter in bay, fire hazard.
( advice I received when I joined the club) :ok
Prepare for the worst but hope for the best

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Johnboyanderson
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

Yea thanks for that. Lots of horror stories! This van has seen a fire in the past from what I could make out. V

Filter was full or crap even though new 200 miles ago. So changed that and It’s down by the tank thankfully. Think pipes all got changed with the engine work but will double check that they all did now. Including the return.

Thanks.
1983 Transporter. 1.9 Waterbox. London.
(New to the game)

Johnboyanderson
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Re: Idle issue – 1.9 WBX petrol 1983

Post by Johnboyanderson »

It’s running nice again from cold but idle issue back Once it warms up. Plugs were gunked up but only done a few hundred miles. Leads, rotor arm and cap all new.

Could it be something to do with the choke as it gets warm? Probably ran for about 3-4 minutes then stalked at junctions as before. Runs great with foot down.

Could it be accelerator cable? Bit of slack in
It and it’s not looking in great nic. Not sure if that always needs tension. Has little clip and rubber boot in place so looks in order.
1983 Transporter. 1.9 Waterbox. London.
(New to the game)

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