Coil

[Freddievan]

I've had intermittent issues with ignition, which was traced to the coil connections.  The connectors have been cleaned and tightened but the issue has returned.  Turn the ignition and there's a click but engine doesn't turn.  3 or four attempts and it turns and the problem goes away for a while.  I'm thinking about replacing the coil and getting auto electrician to replace wiring and any connectors.  Can someone confirm which one I need for my van (T25 - petrol - 1.9 - 1990 - water-cooled)

[MarkHughes]

The engine not turning sounds like a starter motor issue. The click is the starter solenoid kicking in but the motor itself not spinning.

[Stesaw]

As Mark says thats a starter issue not a coil one.
Check the spade terminal on the starter it could be corroded or loose. Check your ground strap as well thats on the nose of the Gearbox if thats not there or broken you will have starting issues.

[TwinTurbo]

 

Directly put a power feed to the starter solenoid, if iworks fine look at the ground, ignition switch and wiring , but if jumping the solenoid makes no difference Strip and clean the starter and grease with light grease. Put in a brush set for good measure. Thats about all a refurbished starter gets.

 

[Freddievan]

That's really useful.  I won't be doing any of this but will pass it on to auto electrician.

[MarkHughes]

That's really useful.  I won't be doing any of this but will pass it on to auto electrician.

You shouldn't really need to, If you describe the symptoms they should have no problem concluding and testing what might be wrong. I used to own and run a garage and my preference was just a description of symptoms, No amount of customer research would change the order I tested things or what I tested.

Just tell them how it fails and how to recreate the problem (Important) and let them sort it, That's what you are paying them for right ?