rpape Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Pulled away from a stop sign, thought I was in 1st gear but was in 3rd and the engine stalled. Tried to re-start to no avail? It cranks fine. - I get only 1 pulse of 12V at the fuel pump at ignition? - I get only 1 spark out of the coil at ignition? Anyone have any insight? Timing Belt? Coil? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pump Control Relay? Thanks in advance, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Pulled away from a stop sign, thought I was in 1st gear but was in 3rd and the engine stalled. Tried to re-start to no avail? It cranks fine. - I get only 1 pulse of 12V at the fuel pump at ignition? - I get only 1 spark out of the coil at ignition? Anyone have any insight? Timing Belt? Coil? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pump Control Relay? Thanks in advance, Rob Sounds like a distibutor problem.You don`t have any crappy timing belts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 If the single spark happens as you let off the key after cranking the starter over, I would look towards the ignition switch as a good culprit. There are 2 sets of contacts in the switch to power the coil, one is for ignition during cranking of starter, other one is for the actual running of the engine in the "on" position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpape Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 If the single spark happens as you let off the key after cranking the starter over, I would look towards the ignition switch as a good culprit. There are 2 sets of contacts in the switch to power the coil, one is for ignition during cranking of starter, other one is for the actual running of the engine in the "on" position. Nope.... it sparks at the beginning of the cranking only once? I should be seeing consistent sparking from the coil - right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 No timing belt in your Brat if you still have the EA81 engine installed. Pulled away from a stop sign, thought I was in 1st gear but was in 3rd and the engine stalled. Tried to re-start to no avail? It cranks fine. - I get only 1 pulse of 12V at the fuel pump at ignition? - I get only 1 spark out of the coil at ignition? Anyone have any insight? Timing Belt? Coil? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pump Control Relay? Thanks in advance, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Check for power at the positive side of the coil while cranking. The ignition switch supplies the power for the coil... both in start and run. Test the coil (both sides) and distributor resistance. It's quite possible that the distributor took a dump. Get back to us with the results. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I'd look at the coil ... sounds much like a problem I had with an old Mk 2 Ford Escort some time ago. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exister99 Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 It could be your ignition control module. That is the little plastic thing in the distributor with two wires going to it and a hole for the distributor shaft to go through. It contains a circuit inside that decides when to fire off a spark. When this circuit gets little cracks in it then it starts to die at the most inopportune times, like while sitting at a light. The part runs like $160 retail, but I just scored a brand new one on eBay for $20. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 If you have the hitachi distributor and need the ignition module (common failure item), I have a used good one for $25 if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpape Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 If you have the hitachi distributor and need the ignition module (common failure item), I have a used good one for $25 if you need it. Thanks for all the advise.... I'll do some testing tonight. One thing that I forgot to mention is that this Brat is out of California therefore it probably has some "California Only" hardware on it. Results soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I had a similar problem like that a few months ago in my 84 Hatch. I turned it over and never got it to start, then I replaced the coil, no good. Turns out the wire that runs from the coil to the distributor went bad, replaced it and fired right up. Never can hurt to try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exister99 Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I had a similar problem like that a few months ago in my 84 Hatch. I turned it over and never got it to start, then I replaced the coil, no good. Turns out the wire that runs from the coil to the distributor went bad, replaced it and fired right up. Never can hurt to try? This is where a healthy selection of jumper wires comes in handy. I rigged some up just the other day to hot wire the fuel pump in case my FPCU ever goes out again. Stash them somewhere in the back and you are only a quick hot wire away from getting back on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 This is where a healthy selection of jumper wires comes in handy. I rigged some up just the other day to hot wire the fuel pump in case my FPCU ever goes out again. Stash them somewhere in the back and you are only a quick hot wire away from getting back on the road. That's how it is in the back of my hatch. Got a full ratchet set, jumper cables, 2 flashlights and a chilton's subaru manual in there. Right next to my 2x4 for a hatch-prop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpape Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 Turned out to be the pick-up coil inside the distributer. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exister99 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Turned out to be the pick-up coil inside the distributer. Thanks for your help. Yeah Man! Feels warm and fuzzy to be right. Did you manage to score one for a good price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.