ecu trouble

Post by **bert and ernie** » 07 Jun 2007, 16:42

hi i have a 1990 2.1 caravelle and it will not start , the aa said the ignition amplifier has gone , so the coil is fine but no spark to the dissy. and i have no lights or readings on my dash . does this sound like the ecu is buggered or what else could it be ? cheers [color=blue][/color]

Post by **tonytech** » 07 Jun 2007, 17:43

No lights or gauges on the dash is bugger all to do with the ECU, more likely an ignition switch or earth problem.

If you have a dodgy ignition switch you wont get current to the ECU or ignition amp.

The ignition amp is a separate unit from the ECU too.

Start with the simple stuff and work from that.

T

Post by **andysimpson** » 07 Jun 2007, 18:04

If AA have said it was ign amplifer and it was not the hall sender in the dizzy needs checking for an output.

Post by **wasserleaker** » 07 Jun 2007, 18:14

from what i've read, and been told, the ECU is generally very reliable, and is hardly ever to blame for ign faults and should only be suspected as a very last option after usual stuff like ign amp module, hall sender in dizzy base plate, coil, leads,plugs, bad earths, broken/corroded wiring etc.

Post by **bert and ernie** » 07 Jun 2007, 18:31

having had the ecu off i have put it back on and the van starts but only with the dash multi plug disconnected. the printed circuit looks knacked.thank god a new ecu from vw is £860!!!! thanks for the answers
cheers bert

Post by **wasserleaker** » 07 Jun 2007, 20:18

Frost auto restoration do some stuff that is meant to be a paint on conductive repair for broken circuit boards/flexi circuit film, have'nt used it personally but might be worth a try if thats the problem.