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'90 cabriolet - no spark

Hi all, You fellows seem pretty knowledgeable on the quirks of these things.... I bought this car from a fellow that had a VW specialist shop working on it & they couldn't find the problem. With a plug sitting on the valve cover, I can get *a* spark - sometimes - when I first turn on the key (to start) & when I turn it off. I've tried (from my other Cab) the dist & coil. The previous owner said he had tried a new control module. Ignition switch has been replaced. Coil has power when switch is on. This problem came up on the first freeze. Speculation is that a connection was moist, froze, & became intermittent (the symptoms were first described as "very hard to start cold but ran good when warmed up"). Any ideas? TIA, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" BTW, this is the car I plan to put a LT1 V8 in - mid engine, but I would love to drive it for awhile before doing so (it's a 5-speed; my other Cab. is an auto). I may have another body lined up for the V8 project, & since this is a Wolfsburg Edition I may or may not be parting it out. (I've listed "parts for sale" in a couple places :-) I do plan to sell the blue (auto) Cab. once I get the front (deer damage) painted...

Reply to
ThaDriver
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IIRC Some of the A1s have had some problems with the fuse boxes. Also some "mechanics" also hook the fuel pumps up to the ign switch wiring. NOT GOOD. You need to check power to the coil while cranking over the engine. Possible Fix: You could possibly route a wire from the ign switch to the ign coil, bypassing the fuse box to see if you get constant spark. Or I guess you could hook the coil up with power from the battery to see if you can get the spark to stay consistent to see if the Possible Fix might work for you. I believe that your coil gets a full 12 volts. HMMM does your fuel management system also have a knock sensor on the engine? Problem could also be with that too!

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Reply to
dave

I had a 91 fox with similar symptoms. No start, one spark at plug one plug when the key was turned--then nothing.

I initially thought it was an ignition system problem, but it turned out to be a stripped/broken timing belt.

I have no clue about how a 90 cabrio engine is put together, but the timing belt may be something to consider.

Good luck

andy

Reply to
Andy Gingrich

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