Spark problems

[selimg]

I have an '85/'86 1.9 DG WBX with a peirburg carb.

What's been happening is the van will sometimes refuse to start. It turns over fine but the plugs aren't getting any juice. This has happened a few times now and I even had a case of it dieing along the motorway. Scary when it's dark and you're alone.

I did learn of a useful fix which is to remove the coil HT lead and earth it somewhere on the block, then switch the engine on until I eventually get a spark. Pop the lead back in the dizzy and it starts and runs fine. But the problem still occurs and it's hard to do this little fix when it's just you in the van.

I've changed the coil to a new one but I still get the problem and now I can't think of what else to look at. Should I get a new ICU or replace all the wires going into the coil? What tests can I do?

I've uploaded a couple of images to show what it looks like in the engine bay. That red wire is connected to a tacho. And what's that big black box?

[IMG:150:113]http://b.imagehost.org/t/0741/DSC01918.jpg[/img]

Thanks for the help!

[Ian Hulley]

Borrow an known good module ... they're not cheap to just swap willynilly BUT if you try it with a good one you're not wasting your money.

(although it doesn't hurt to have & carry a spare anyway )

Ian

P.S. the 'big black box' contains the wiring for your rear lights etc.

[VWCamperfan]

Check the red wire to the tacho isn't shorting somewhere... Can remember someone else having a similar problem on here!

[selimg]

I don't think it's the tacho wire, because I know the van wouldn't start even with that wire disconnected.

[maxstu]

Post your whereabouts. Not full address please. Just in case.
Perhap a fellow 80-90er lives nearby. Then do as Ian said.

[selimg]

The only problem with that is I'd have to borrow the ICU for about a month or at least a couple of weeks as the problem only occurs. It will probably be easier to get one for about £30 from somewhere.

I will be back at uni in Hatfield though from Oct onwards.