Can't fire Up the quattro!

[geneandbolly]

the quattro has given up the ghost. it's a 1985 car, 10v turbo (WR). i left it at my pal's garage recently to have the radiator re-cored and it was giving him grief all week when trying to start. this was before he even opened the bonnet so i can't think that he's disturbed anything in there.

the car has recently been great at starting, both when hot and cold thanks to the recent boost leak test/ fix. however, for no good reason it's suddenly appalling to start on the verge of flattening the battery. when it fires up it's running as normal.

i put it into the garage across the road - they have some vintage rallying experience and are very familiar with the set up, but they are starting to scratch their heads now. having done all of the obvious things, the next on the list is to have the starter out and to check that the timing pin is still present, but of course the crank position sensor is seized in place!

anyway, tell me that i'm wrong to consider this is the source of the trouble: i bought this coil from ebay around three weeks ago - the car ran for at least two weeks without incident.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NGK-IGNITI...item485819cdbc

the mechanic tells me that although the spark is often weak and intermittent, he doubts that even this coil (which as it turns out isn't even for a ur quattro) isn't the source of the trouble.





does anyone have a magic wand that they can post to me, please?!

[le cric]

Oh no, not good news.

Has it been getting progressively worse? Do you have a spare coil pack to try?

Sounds like an electrical gremlin.

Cric

[styler]

does the UR use the ignition module same as the non turbo cars? these give intermittent troubles at times!!!

[geneandbolly]

this is right out of the blue. no hints that something was on it's way out other than the car has felt generally underpowered since lying up for a few months over the summer. it might just be that i bought and drive the s6 on a regular basis since then, whereas the quattro hardly turns a wheel, so maybe i'm just noticing the difference in power between the two cars.

unfortunately, i don't have a spare coil pack but the mechanic seems certain that it's nothing to do with that..

[lefthooker]

Originally Posted by styler

does the UR use the ignition module same as the non turbo cars? these give intermittent troubles at times!!!

No module on a quattro, ignition controlled by ecu.

[styler]

cheers i couldnt remember... only worked on one UR

[M4rkp]

Originally Posted by styler

cheers i couldnt remember... only worked on one UR

There is an Ignition TCI module under the O/S dash - had one on my WR which totally gave up the ghost many years ago.

[Hanuman]

I have had in the past, starting issues, and rough running problems due to damage on the pin sensors on the gearbox, and the hall sender connection on the dizzy.

[M4rkp]

Start by checking to see if you have a true spark - by a true spark i mean a good strong repetitive spark, not just a random weak blip.

long shot - but what condition is the battery in? If there is not enough poke in the battery to spin the starter correctly the flywheel will not be turning fast enough for the sensor to give the correct signal to the Mac 01 to initiate the spark signal -

...also - i take it the static timing is ok? -

Its a long frustrating road - but as long as you a methodical you'll get there!

[Hanuman]

I've only just seen the photos. I'd check that you are actually getting a good connection on the coil terminals. Wrong connector types?
Why did you use that one? Did neither Pete Reeve or Pete chimes have access to the right one?
What did you do with the original?