The SA 2.6i Microbus thread

[Aidan]

Ian have contacted Germany and a bit of a google found this site in the states which looks useful, it looks like some of the 928s had a version of motronics akin to yours, there's useful diagnostics sections on the website
http://www.systemsc.com/index.htm

[silverbullet]

There's a fair bit of reading there...

Stuart said that they have trouble getting any info on Motronic vehicles out in SA, it's all sewn up by the VW dealerships (if they are still interested in buses that are 9 years old at the youngest) so knowledge is at a premium.
I wish that I knew how to read the DTC codes through the 7-pin SA diagnostic plug

I need to see if the idle valve is stuck open, which could make it go lean as the revs rise. Possibly one of the temp sensors has gone off, which might have a similar effect. Maybe that was the problem when it first broke down (with a hot engine) so might be generally sticky/gummed up/burned out?

It will start and idle in a couple of cranks, just won't pull the skin off a rice pudding and if blipped it dies and just recovers, but not always. Same for lpg or petrol so...it's sparks or air, not a fuel problem.

[silverbullet]

Some more of the reasons why this SA is so special and I don't want to part with it:

[silverbullet]

Of course there's always one of these if it is the ecu, but it's a shedload of cash...
http://www.vems.hu/wiki/index.php?page= ... ayMotronic" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MegaSquirt would be a lot cheaper!

[Aidan]

classic's buyer is on holiday but will advise on availabilty of SA parts (ie new ECU) on return, and Andreas ise looking into availability of diagnostics manual for it too, also trying to get a copy of VW's DJ diagnostics manual in english to complete our knowledge set

[syncrodoug]

Anything on here any good ....http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/index1_eng.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[silverbullet]

Nice find Doug, what a resource! (reaches for technical German dictionary...)

Unfortunately nothing there about SA Motronic though I'll have to be even more patient unless I find a broken wire first. Maybe the TPS wiring is suspect?

Does anyone know where to get older-style Bosch loom plugs in the UK or Europe, if I need to start cutting them off to renew wiring runs? The ones on the SA seem to be an Audi pattern, with one instead of two ribs inside to hand the plug.

[syncrodoug]

Have a look in the special catalogues section 'EL' of EKTA

[silverbullet]

I have bought a "guaranteed working" ICV off of the bay of fleas to try out as it's cheap enough at £20. Thankfully an Audi 034 part number, same as VR6 etc.
Live in hope...

[andy e]

Ian,

I've got a complete loom out of a 10v Audi Ur quattro if you need bits I can send it up to you, also sure I've got an ISV round here somewhere, I'll have a look when I get home.

Cheers Andy

[silverbullet]

Thanks Andy
Time to get the SA collective thing happening and pool what knowledge we have

[silverbullet]

I have now joined the syncro sa forum in the hopes of getting this finally sorted. The replacement ICV is in a better state than what was on the engine (a lot of end float in the rotating valve, it rattles if you shake it...) but it starts just the same but no more than 1600 rpm and it dies.
My gut says the spark is getting extinguished as the revs rise i.e. the TCI - which I thought was in the ecu on these - is just about done in and there's no real spark. So I need another to try, but no-one in their right mind is going to lend me theirs ecu if they suspect the wiring or ignition could damage it.

Does anyone know where I can get a setting gauge needed for these hall-sender distributors. I'm a bit concerned that it's adrift and this isn't helping.

I have just remembered that I did have an offer of an ecu a while back, time to follow it up and get stuck into a big slice of stone cold humble pie

[silverbullet]

Big up to the SA guys, I now have an early 2.6 wiring diagram
Still got to get the parts as it looks like the ignition stage of the ecu is in the process of falling over...

[silverbullet]

Time for a celebration



I think the culprit was a high resistance in the distributor signal/feed...an old repair (not by me) that I had somehow overlooked, but I have investigated a lot of the loom connections and continuity tested back to the ecu, so it's hard to say for definite

Who gives a sh!t, it's fixed!!!

[silverbullet]

Took the old thing for an MOT at long last, I must admit I'd forgotten just how pleasant this bus is to drive...smooth, quiet, torquey, comfortable. Unlike the over-tyred DG syncro that's for certain!
Passed with flying colours and taped lhd H4's
HC ~180ppm, CO 1.8%

Must adjust the rear brakes now (16" aka LT drums) as the pedal is a bit long...then maybe I'll start thinking about 2x more valves for the engine