Advice needed please!

[haydn71]

We drove from Cambs down to the Gower Easter weekend, well I say The Gower, we made it to Swansea, and broke down. Had to be relayed back home the next day and missed the whole bank holiday weekend.

Anyway, the van's been in the garage, come out again and broke down again. Same problem. Symtoms: coughs, splutters, backfires then cuts out. Will run on idle for 10 mins then cuts out.

I've replaced the dizzy cap / rotor arm (both worn), spark plug and HT leads. The AA chap swapped the Control Module but for a 2nd hand one. Has anyone had similar experience or any ideas? Any advice welcomed. I reckon the dizzy or the control module but hey, what do I know?

cheers,

Haydn

[Mocki]

i doubt it is the ignition module, they tend to die big style , just once. they dont recover.
dissy maybe.more likely coil.

i am assuming you know its got fuel, and have turned to the spark side because you know you have no spark when it happens???

[haydn71]

the coil has been checked and appears to be ok. definately has fuel. ref spark side, don't know for sure but symptoms suggest that to me rather than a fueling issue which I don't think would cause the backfiring. It's like, you're driving along and someone's turned the iginition off.

[skippymoss]

What engine is it?
(Got similar sounding problem with my 2.1 DJ, but only intermittently)

[Oldiebut goodie]

Maybe someone has in that the ignition switch is dodgy.

[haydn71]

What engine is it?
(Got similar sounding problem with my 2.1 DJ, but only intermittently)

1900 petrol

[BOXY]

A blocked fuel filter can cause back-firing. A restriction to the fuel causes a weak mixture, same as an air leak does.

[pionte]

A blocked fuel filter can cause back-firing. A restriction to the fuel causes a weak mixture, same as an air leak does.

My initial thought before reading all the reply s..... check the inline fuel filter ( usually undernrath the floor below the drivers seat , if RHD ! ) change it anyhow even if it looks ok, I have read lots of posts with similar fault that turned out to be a part costing £3 ! good luck, let us know if you fix it... will help otheres.

[haydn71]

the fuel filter was pretty dirty but a new one didn't solve the problem. It's gone to the garage now. We'll see what they say.

[Graham81]

I would try replacing the ignition module/ amplifier, I had one go faulty on a mk1 golf would be driving along and the engine would die but then a few seconds later would come back to life if i left it in gear and it bump started.
Broke down a few times like it and had to wait a while to restart it, but then eventually it died altogether and I had to replace it.
No cough splutter though its either on or off.