Classic Audi - View Single Post

TheTwelveQuidKid · 24-11-09, 01:22 PM

I had a fiat 132 many years ago that used to do this. It was a faulty ignition switch. The engine would just randomly cut out, but it started again with another turn of the key.

Also, what about the idle control valve ? (Bosch systems - this is the thing that's partly built into the distributor), and is wired to the ignition amp. I seem to remember the wires for this in the dizzy were very thin and vulnerable to damage. I would have thought if necessary it's possible to bypass this. Sorry for the vague description - it alters the ignition advance retard electronically to compensate for varying engine loads, to keep the idle constant. Some Vauxhalls had the same set up , ie Nova SRs etc.

Water in fuel ? Can you rig up an alternative supply from a can and see if this makes any difference. The symptoms of water in petrol are usually that the car will start and idle fine from cold / standstill, and as you drive off, water begins to move around a bit and gets pulled up into the fuel lines. As it reaches the engine, it misfires and cuts out. Leave it a minute or two and it appears alright until you get half a mile down the road, then it does it again. Rover SD1s and 1980s jap crap were prone to this. Puddle water thrown up by the back wheels got in through rusty fuel tank filler necks.

24-11-09, 01:22 PM	#14
TheTwelveQuidKid Grown up member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 422	I had a fiat 132 many years ago that used to do this. It was a faulty ignition switch. The engine would just randomly cut out, but it started again with another turn of the key. Also, what about the idle control valve ? (Bosch systems - this is the thing that's partly built into the distributor), and is wired to the ignition amp. I seem to remember the wires for this in the dizzy were very thin and vulnerable to damage. I would have thought if necessary it's possible to bypass this. Sorry for the vague description - it alters the ignition advance retard electronically to compensate for varying engine loads, to keep the idle constant. Some Vauxhalls had the same set up , ie Nova SRs etc. Water in fuel ? Can you rig up an alternative supply from a can and see if this makes any difference. The symptoms of water in petrol are usually that the car will start and idle fine from cold / standstill, and as you drive off, water begins to move around a bit and gets pulled up into the fuel lines. As it reaches the engine, it misfires and cuts out. Leave it a minute or two and it appears alright until you get half a mile down the road, then it does it again. Rover SD1s and 1980s jap crap were prone to this. Puddle water thrown up by the back wheels got in through rusty fuel tank filler necks.