1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
SWTurbo
Posts: 2
Joined: 11 Jun 2026, 19:35
80-90 Mem No: 0

1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by SWTurbo »

Fitted a new rotor arm and distributor cap to a 1.9 DG, few miles down the road it broke down and a recovery company said the new rotor arm was faulty and shorted out. Any thing that could cause the rotor arm to short out outside of it being a poor quality arm?

silverbullet
Trader
Posts: 17561
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
80-90 Mem No: 6908
Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
Contact:

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by silverbullet »

What brand and parts supplier? Rotor arms have a resistor in them, they can fail although I have yet to experience that.
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 7353
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by Aidan »

and there is the rev limited version with the centrifugal contactor so parts id is important
AIDAN :)

SWTurbo
Posts: 2
Joined: 11 Jun 2026, 19:35
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by SWTurbo »

Part was from heritage parts centre, 071-905-225/A, its the 5400 limited one.

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 5231
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by maxstu »

Many moons ago l was advised not to use a limiter rotor. So didnt and never had a rotor short out problem. But can't recall the reason?

Try a standard version rotor and report back your findings.
MaxStu
1987 2.1 Automatic Carb/LPG Autosleeper.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 7353
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by Aidan »

very few peeps will ever rev a wbx to 5000rpm, even downhill when late for a booked ferry
use the DJ one 055 905 225 B
AIDAN :)

User avatar
tobydog
Registered user
Posts: 1526
Joined: 07 Mar 2009, 21:03
80-90 Mem No: 6484
Location: Near Saarfend, Essex

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by tobydog »

maxstu wrote: 12 Jun 2026, 18:59 Many moons ago l was advised not to use a limiter rotor. So didnt and never had a rotor short out problem. But can't recall the reason?

Try a standard version rotor and report back your findings.

It's something you don't need and an extra thing to go wrong :wink:
Knowledge is power
1970 CU

TwinTurbo
Registered user
Posts: 589
Joined: 04 Sep 2024, 03:49
80-90 Mem No: 17758
Location: carlisle

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by TwinTurbo »

how can it be shorted out. 

The short path is from the center to the tip, where else can it short to?

 
TwinTurbo

1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma

Cecil
Registered user
Posts: 410
Joined: 23 Apr 2016, 14:48
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by Cecil »

It could likely short to earth ie to the end of the distributor shaft.
TwinTurbo wrote: 17 Jun 2026, 03:32 how can it be shorted out.

The short path is from the center to the tip, where else can it short to?

User avatar
tobydog
Registered user
Posts: 1526
Joined: 07 Mar 2009, 21:03
80-90 Mem No: 6484
Location: Near Saarfend, Essex

Re: 1990 1.9 DG Waterboxer replacement rotor arm shorted out?

Post by tobydog »

Went open circuit?
Knowledge is power
1970 CU

Post Reply