No spark

[lukeskywalker945]

Hi everyone, I really hope someone can help me.

Background.
My 1.9dg used to run just fine. It sat for approx 6 months and then just wouldn’t fire up.

I could get it started by putting a bit of unleaded directly into the carb, and then it would run for about 5-10 minutes..

I had my van moved to a new location on the back of a truck and the guy who moved it had a look and said I wasn’t getting a spark from the coil.

I ordered a replacement coil from a well known dealer and was ready to put it on.

When I got to my van, the owner of the unit where it is being stored had already tried to change the coil but still couldn’t get it started.

He managed to start it with some easy start spray but it only ran for a few minutes before cutting out. Since then we haven’t been able to get it going, even with fuel directly poured into the carb.

I thought it might be a fuel issue so I removed the line from the fuel pump to the carb and turned it over. No fuel came out so I’ve now just replaced the fuel feed, return and all vacuum hoses.

Still no joy!

We tested to see if there is a spark from the coil by attaching it via the lead to a plug which was grounded against the engine. No spark when the engine turned over.

Today.
I think the wiring for the coil may be at fault. This is what I have.

2 black wires from the loom into one connector going to the positive side of the coil. A red wire from on the positive side of the coil going into the distributor.

I have a black wire going from the negative side of the coil to the distributor.

I also have a green wire from the loom without a connector on it. It’s the right length to go to the coil, but I don’t know where it goes..

Can someone please tell me how this should be wired up correctly please?

Should I buy a new coil, distributor and leads etc?

Here are some photos, not sure how much help they’ll be.

[TONYT25T25]

Ref fuel supply, is it a mechanical pump, i noticed that you said no fuel came out, i would suspect the pump if this was the case, also check fuel filter.

[Robsey]

Looking at the Bentley manual -

There are three "15" terminals.
1 - single fat black wire (1.5mm) to the TCI unit.
(Ignition amplifier).
2 - single thin black wire (0.5mm) to bypass air cut-off valve and then onto the auto choke.
3 - a thin black and fat black wire.
Thin wire (0.5mm) to intake manifold thermo-switch
Fat wire to ignition live feed from the fusebox.

(The manifold pre-heater may have a red sheathing on it - it did on my early DF set-up.).

There are two green wires - "1" terminals.
1 - to the TCI unit / ignition amplifier and then the distributor.
2 - to the main fusebox for rev counter / buzzer of doom where fitted.

If the green wire is not connected from the coil to the TCI unit, then you will not get a spark.

Also -

Sometimes this wire may be used to control a fuel pump relay, where it relies on an ignition pulse.
If an electric pump has been fitted, it may be any colour wire, depending what the retro fitter had to hand.

Again - no ignition /spark pulse means the pump would not run.

Time to track all the different wire colours.

[lukeskywalker945]

It doesn’t have an ignition amplifier?

We’re all 1.9dg engines fitted with ignition amplifiers?

If so, does it mean my van has had an aftermarket ignition system fitted?

[lukeskywalker945]

Ref fuel supply, is it a mechanical pump, i noticed that you said no fuel came out, i would suspect the pump if this was the case, also check fuel filter.

I’ve replaced all the fuel lines and now I’m getting a good flow of fuel to the carb

[TONYT25T25]

Good, soon narrow it down hopefully.

[Robsey]

If you do not have a TCI / ignition amp, then I would expect a green wire from the hall sender in the distributor.

Both Haynes and the online 1.9 DG 1987 wiring ladders mention the TCI unit... I made the assumption that this was a variation on an ignition amplifier.

I am more 'aware' of DF and DJ set-ups, so apologise for any mis-information.

If you are still not getting a good spark, then check all your connector terminals.
30+ years of heat, muck and ambient moisture can play havoc with electrics.

I assume all plugs, leads, rotor arm and distributor cap have been checked and cleaned or replaced recently.

[bigherb]

Bust put a picture up of your distributor.
If it originally started on easy start, the ignition was not the problem.
You now have to recheck what you did too now cause no spark.