Compression, Spark, Fuel, Check...No Start 2.1 MV

[RobT]

I'm stumped. 1989 Syncro Transporter. It has always been extremely reliable. I backed out of the garage the other day and got out while it idled, as usual. After a few minutes, it died and wouldn't restart. At first, with multiple attempts to start, it seemed like it 'wanted' to start, kind of like it was out of gas and 'almost' starting but not. Thinking it was a fuel delivery problem I checked to make sure it was pumping fuel and returning fuel. Next I checked the injectors which were putting out a fine spray pattern, next I checked the spark from the coil then the spark at the plugs, OK. Still nothing. Good compression all around @135 PSI +/- a few pounds. (As an aside, timing was checked recently in preparation for emissions testing. Also recently new NGK plugs, Bosch wires, cap and rotor also for emissions test.) I then changed the ECU for a known good one as well as the AFM for known good one. There is now no hint of ignition. What else should I be looking for? TIA Rob

[uberaudi]

Do you have a tachometer? Does your needle bounce when you're cranking? If it doesn't show any movement it's most likely your Hall sender, the super fragile 3 wire pickup coming out of the side of your distributor. Once that heat cycled plastic breaks off the side of your dizzy, the very small diameter wires fatigue out and can break connection, creating a intermittent, then definite no spark situation. Give the connector a jiggle and see if she fires!
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'84 Adventurewagen 1Z TDI, '08 Audi Avant Quattro 6spd BHW TDI, '03 Jetta Wagon 5spd TDI

[RobT]

Thank you uberaudi, I will definitely try that next!

[RobT]

Just checked the tach and its bouncing when cranking...

[Wildthings]

Does the tail pipe smell of gas? If so try disabling the fuel pump and then seeing if it will momentarily come to life. You could have a bad TSII sensor or something else that is causing a super rich condition. Also check for a grounded signal lead going to the O2 sensor.

[RobT]

Thanks Wildthings, yes it does have a slight smell of gas. Ill try the fuel pump trick tomorrow.

[djkeev]

My first thought was that you're flooded.

Dave
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[DanHoug]

you have an 89... you need to do the 5 pin to 4 pin ECU relay mod on page 42. this has been the cause of many mystery no starts. sometimes just wiggling the wires at the relay box near the coil brings it to life.

http://oldbluesblog.com/files/DigifantProTrainingManual_SingleSided.pdf
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[RobT]

Thanks everyone for the tips. So far today I disconnected the fuel pump as suggested and also plugged the fuel intake line.

Tried a bunch of times to start it, once got a slight indication of fire.

Thought I would pull a plug to see if it was wet from fuel, negative. While the plug was out I thought I'd check the spark, it was good. Strangely on the first couple of cranks it started to fire but I stopped it as a plug was out and in my hand.

Put the plug back in and nothing. Tried to repeat, nothing. Tried starter fluid, nothing.

DanHoug, I had thought about the relay so thanks for the suggestion, I'll do it.

[Wildthings]

That it tried a few times to fire would indicate that it does have spark, while if it does not fire on starting fluid that would indicate it does not?????

[RobT]

Yeah it's pretty weird. Today I did the 5 pin to 4 pin relay conversion just in case. Have to wait until tomorrow for a fresh 4 pin relay.

[Wellington]

long shot.....are the plug wire compatible with the plugs?
Some wires you need the little brass nipple on the top of the spark plug.

[RobT]

I had to go out of town for a couple of days. I got back and installed 2 new '53' relays. Still the same...It 'almost' starts on starter fluid but but won't quite. Back to square one I guess.

Wellington, yes the plugs and wires are compatible, thanks.

[uberaudi]

If it's not running on ether, then you've got spark issues...not fuel.
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'84 Adventurewagen 1Z TDI, '08 Audi Avant Quattro 6spd BHW TDI, '03 Jetta Wagon 5spd TDI

[RobT]

Right, as I said earlier, I pulled a plug (brand new NGK BR6ET)It put out a nice bright spark. So what other spark issue? I did re-time it a few weeks ago but it was running great afterward.

I checked to make sure the distributor was still tight and it is so I don't think the timing could have changed.

[Wildthings]