Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all

Just returned from a holiday in weymouth. No problems with van, 1.9 watercooled transporter. Had no problems until nearly home, going along the motorway, no warning, felt a slight jolt and all power died. Oil light flashing, but no leaks. Engine will turn but not fire up.

Any idea's anyone

T'would be pure speculation based on no more information than that which you have supplied. A long thread indeed. Check the dizzy first?

lack of erm petrol ?

Will check the Dizzy. As to lack of petrol, there was plenty. We had gone about 50 miles and was just cruising along when like I said, clunk, and power died, had to get son out to tow us home.

Checked the Dizzy, as suggested, petrol is OK (checked) coil Ok, still turning over but not starting!!! Looks like a garage job.

take out the center lead from the distributor and hold it near to earth, then get someone to crank the engine, if it doesn't spark check the coil and the little black box ignition module, if there's no power there check your fuses

Nice one Dink. Another prob that can arise (tho rare) is the carbon brush in centre of dizzy doesn't make proper contact with rotor. Must admit, only ever had that happen once in 20 years but as Dink says, rule out ignition probs first.

Hi thanks for replys

We have checked and have spark to dizzy and to plugs, also fuel in carb still not firing?

I am now at a loss. Any other ideas appreciated

Thanks

wiring or switch on carb, shuts off the carb when you turn off..

Mechanic coming out tomorrow, so will hopefully be able to post on what is wrong, just in case this happens to anyone else.

Hi all, thought I was goint to be posting the solution. Mechanic came, took some readings and said 99 per cent sure it was the little black control box. Ordered new box, fitted, NOTHING!! Phoned mech again he couldn't believe it said could only be coil or dizzy. Well we hadn't checked coil as was only about a year old. When we did coil was burned out. So today replaced coil, Yipee van started straight away. Took her out just now, on dual carriageway suddenly started spluttering about had to pull over. New coil feels a bit hot? had to be towed home again. again only seems like small spark Heeeeeeeeeeellllllppppp supposed to be going away next weekend.

Coils do get hot, Try the substitution method and borrow a known good coil. If not could just be crap in the carb? Its very difficult for any of us to offer solutions from afar though as you'll appreciate.

Another long shot but...............

Check rotor arm for wear.

New/cold coil will give bigger spark but as it warms loses some power & worn rotor arm could be enough.

Thats what happened to me. It took 8 hrs in the middle of New Delhi traffic to work it out. None of the books mentioned it.

Solved it for now anyway.

Didn't take out coil fully and check as not that old, from well known website. When we did take out and check it was gone. New control box from same place had gone as well. Put old control box back in and new coil not from the said website and all is well, running like a dream. Will only be using parts that I know are good make and quality in the future.

Thanks for all the replys