Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, I fitted a new distributor cap, rotor arm and HT leads today. When I try to start the engine, it turns over and there's a clicking sound but engine doesn't start. The only sign of life that I get is a bit of a "pop" which sounds like it's back-firing(?)

I took off all the new bits that I'd put on, and replaced the old stuff but it's the same problem and symptoms. Prior to all of this, the van had been running well and the spark plugs were replaced at Xmas time.

Grateful for any pointers as to what the problem is likely to be. Is it the timing?

Tony

Did you fit the parts in situ`?

Did you remove the dizzy to change the parts mate, and refitted the dizzy 180 degrees out?

Have you pulled a low tension connector off (between the diz` and the coil)?

Did you replace each HT lead one by one or did you pull them all off and then put them back on?

You may have got the firing order wrong, possibly.

Thanks for the help guys, I didn't take the dizzy out, just the top off it. I wonder if I've put the rotor arm on in the wrong position? I was being careful to put it on the same way as the one I took off. Will have a look for low tension connector and check there.

I didn't do the leads one at a time but I had them and the cylinders and the connections on the dizzy all numbered and drawn out on me diagram! Will double check though. Bliddy raining now!

Thanks again

Tony

Smiler wrote: Did you remove the dizzy to change the parts mate, and refitted the dizzy 180 degrees out?

Now why would you want to do a stooopid thing like that ?

Tony, look at the slot in the rotor and the noggin in the rotor arm. You sure the leads are the same order ? That's the favourite mistake. Looking at it from above top right lead to bottom right pot bottom right lead to top right pot, bottom left lead to bottom left pot and the last one to the last one.

Otherwise check the leads are firmly on the plugs and that you've not knocked a different wire off.

Guess you could possibly have a duff lead ?

Good luck, Ian.

The leads are connected in the order you listed Ian. I've taken the new leads off but the problem is still there with the old leads back on again.

Tony

The rotor arm's all the way down isn't it ? And the cap's properly located on the dizzy ? And the coil lead ? ... what about the little wire to the thin green coil low tension lead that goes to the gas ? Have you tried firing it up on petrol ?

Be back in 20 mins

Ian.

If your stuck I can post piccies of mine or you can come down and have a look (if you have other transport than your van ) or I can bring my van to you on Sunday Morning.

Mine is an 1985 1.9 petrol

PM me if necessary.

Nicola&Tony wrote: Prior to all of this, the van had been running well

Tony

stop mendin it when it int broke
probs the rotor arm not on properly m8, or the coil lead

Give me a buzz in the morning and i will pop round mate,

i'd go with the rotor arm not located correctly , turn and push ,

yeh i reckon the clicking would be the rotor arm fouling the 4 brass lugs cos its not gone far enough on the shaft

Sorted now . . . thanks for all the help guys! I took the rotor arm off, turned it 180 degrees and put it back on . . . van started first time!!! Didn't quite get it fixed before the boss got home, but I live to tell the tale, phew!!!

Tony

You shouldnt have had the Haynes manual upside down,

i'd go with the rotor arm not located correctly , turn and push ,

Sounds like that was the one