iginition problems Audi 1.8 type 89

quattrostyle · 25-12-10, 03:05 PM

Well my daily pisses me off one week after another. Now it's got serious ignition problems and it ate the 3 month old distributor.
It runs on 2 cilinder if not less, and I can feel a pretty firm knocking when I lay my finger on the distribution cap which was also new. The shaft of the distributor seems to have no play. So what could cause this problem?

If it ain't a cheap fix I'm about to set it on fire on the new years eve

Sorry for the bad quality pic but you get the idea.

type81 · 25-12-10, 03:10 PM

start it in the dark with bonnet open....see if you can spot any sparks! had an a4 1.6 once
and i was able to identify the problem

quattrostyle · 25-12-10, 03:19 PM

will do but don't think that is the problem to be honest. Touched all the wires while it was running and didn't get a single shock.

type81 · 25-12-10, 03:32 PM

have you tried spraying wd40 on the spark plug leads also the distributor?
you might notice a differance, also look for earthing wires/leads that might have come loose

help will arrive...every ones having there festive break

type81 · 25-12-10, 03:38 PM

you coil could be given to much energy to the distributor, if you havent already try getting a genuine/oem spec dizzy rotor

quattrostyle · 26-12-10, 06:39 PM

didn't see these replies. But yes tried all above except for the OEM rotor.

TheTwelveQuidKid · 27-12-10, 12:31 PM

How about the ignition module ? I can't remember where they are on these cars, but if it's not been checked, it might be worth a look. ('tis electronic isn't it ?).
If I remember right, some of the vauxhalls from the late 80s and early 90s had the same module).
The idea about running it in the dark is a good one. You might not necessarily get a shock but in the dark, you'd see any sparks that indicate a knackered HT lead. If it was this, Damp Start is good as a temporary cure, as it hangs around longer than WD. Also, WD vapourises and if you're unlucky, it can ignite (found this out when I sprayed the leads on an old transhit, ended up with flames under the bonnet

)
I accidentally used Damp Start as de-icer once on a dark night, made the windscreen a bit greasy

quattrostyle · 27-12-10, 01:18 PM

setting it on fire is the easiest cure though

I will get my 80 TD mot'd next week and sorn this piece of crap till the time I want to work on it again.

Ignition module will be above the glove box on a LHD car I believe. Will check some connectors under the bonnet too as it had trouble last week someday, I opened the bonnet, checked some connectors, nothing worked. But when I slammed the hood it ran on 4 and I was able to continue my journey.

TheTwelveQuidKid · 27-12-10, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quattrostyle

setting it on fire is the easiest cure though

For that, just spray the entire engine bay with WD, then start it up. One stray spark is all it needs. Better still, for that really explosive effect, use Easy Start instead. Just make sure there's nothing you care about within a few yards of the car.

Quote:

But when I slammed the hood it ran on 4 and I was able to continue my journey.

Sounds like a bad connection or bad earth ?
Edit - have you checked the engine earth connection, as this can cause all sorts of weird problems.

quattrostyle · 27-12-10, 04:11 PM

no haven't had a look at the earth wires yet, will do that when I got time for it. For now it's important to get my 90q and CQ rolling again so there is space in the workshop. Then I should get the TD ready for MOT and do some work on the engine for the CQ. Lots to do atm.

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25-12-10, 03:10 PM	#2
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	start it in the dark with bonnet open....see if you can spot any sparks! had an a4 1.6 once and i was able to identify the problem

25-12-10, 03:19 PM	#3
quattrostyle 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,188	will do but don't think that is the problem to be honest. Touched all the wires while it was running and didn't get a single shock.

25-12-10, 03:32 PM	#4
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	have you tried spraying wd40 on the spark plug leads also the distributor? you might notice a differance, also look for earthing wires/leads that might have come loose help will arrive...every ones having there festive break

25-12-10, 03:38 PM	#5
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	you coil could be given to much energy to the distributor, if you havent already try getting a genuine/oem spec dizzy rotor

26-12-10, 06:39 PM	#6
quattrostyle 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,188	didn't see these replies. But yes tried all above except for the OEM rotor.

27-12-10, 12:31 PM	#7
TheTwelveQuidKid Grown up member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 422	How about the ignition module ? I can't remember where they are on these cars, but if it's not been checked, it might be worth a look. ('tis electronic isn't it ?). If I remember right, some of the vauxhalls from the late 80s and early 90s had the same module). The idea about running it in the dark is a good one. You might not necessarily get a shock but in the dark, you'd see any sparks that indicate a knackered HT lead. If it was this, Damp Start is good as a temporary cure, as it hangs around longer than WD. Also, WD vapourises and if you're unlucky, it can ignite (found this out when I sprayed the leads on an old transhit, ended up with flames under the bonnet ) I accidentally used Damp Start as de-icer once on a dark night, made the windscreen a bit greasy

27-12-10, 01:18 PM	#8
quattrostyle 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,188	setting it on fire is the easiest cure though I will get my 80 TD mot'd next week and sorn this piece of crap till the time I want to work on it again. Ignition module will be above the glove box on a LHD car I believe. Will check some connectors under the bonnet too as it had trouble last week someday, I opened the bonnet, checked some connectors, nothing worked. But when I slammed the hood it ran on 4 and I was able to continue my journey.

27-12-10, 04:11 PM	#10
quattrostyle 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,188	no haven't had a look at the earth wires yet, will do that when I got time for it. For now it's important to get my 90q and CQ rolling again so there is space in the workshop. Then I should get the TD ready for MOT and do some work on the engine for the CQ. Lots to do atm.