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Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 27 Jan 2015, 14:14
by judderman
I have checked for power at the coil and the starter motor turns fine but in getting no spark from the cool. I have opened up the dizzy and found it is an unfamiliar item to me no points in sight so here I gave drawn a blank. The van was running fine but not been used for a few months now. Thanks

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 27 Jan 2015, 16:40
by tonytech
Hi and welcome to the forum.
It is customary (and useful) to introduce yourself, giving details of your Van, the engine you have and its age.
We can guess its a petrol (diesels dont have a disi) but Is it injection? or carb?

Anyhow if it turns over fairly quickly and doesnt have a spark, then the ignition amp( black matchbox sized thing with a single multi plug) on the side of the engine bay is a good starting place.
Do you have a Idle stabilisation device (cream or black box fitted near the ignition amplifier with two 3 way plugs)
These sometimes give trouble and can be bypassed (one pug plugs into the other)
It could also be the hall sender on the disi or the coil.

Have you got a multimeter that you can use to check for 12v at the coil?
T

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 27 Jan 2015, 22:19
by kevtherev
As it's stood for a long time all the contacts will have corroded and need a clean.
start with the distributor plug...then the Spark control plug.. then the coil.

This has happened to me a few times..usually after the christmas lay up

It would be helpful if you told us what engine it is

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 28 Jan 2015, 00:05
by judderman
Sorry 2.5 petrol. It has 12v at the coil and turns strong on the starter

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 28 Jan 2015, 08:36
by tonytech
2.5?
South African 5 cylinder? or some home brew conversion?
Either way my money is on the ignition amplifier.
You really do need to give more details.

T

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 29 Jan 2015, 21:56
by judderman
Apologies fat fingers 2.1 petrol just bought a new voltage prob of weather holds up I'll take another look tomorrow will have a look at bypassing the amp

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 29 Jan 2015, 22:08
by tonytech
OK.
These vans are mostly over 24 years old and most have been through a few owners and "specialist" garages.
Over the years engines get changed, wires get rerouted or removed, and parts get replaced (not always correctly or with compatible bits)
So the more info you can give the better we can help.

You cant bypass the ignition amplifier, but you can bypass the idle stabilisation circuit.
This box very slightly alters the spark timing, but isnt essential (many people drive around for years without one)

T

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 03 Feb 2015, 14:36
by judderman
There appears to be no interruption of power from dizzy to coil as if points had closed on an earlier engine. I bypassed the idle box but The idle stabiliser is buzzing its breasticles off now tho. I have power to coil and power to the amp on 2 different points

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 03 Feb 2015, 16:17
by judderman
If I disconnect the 2 green wires from the coil then put a plug to the main ht lead I can force a spark by running a earth to the negative side of the coil but cannot force this spark with either green wire attached.

Re: Starting issues. Won't start.

Posted: 09 Feb 2015, 21:08
by tonytech
Sorry, Ive been playing my other hobby for a week.
One of the green wires runs to the dash for a tacho,
The other goes to the ignition amplifier.
You probably wont be able to "force a spark" by earthing the coil with the green wire connected, but its a good chance you will blow the amplifier.

T