Brat got to suddenly dying without warning ? Problem has gotten worse..Will not fire ? Replaced ignition switch and distributor, No help ? Need Help

Coil. Check to see if you are getting power to your coil. That is what is going to give you spark.

Thank you for your response ..Replaced distributor (253,000 on engine), replaced ignition switch ? Have fire in on position to coil, but when I go to start position, I lose fire at the coil ? Not having any luck with those 3 relays located near coil ?  Not sure what is what ?  Have looked at a few other Brat's, and not wired same as far as these relays ?  Wonderful little truck..Problem started suddenly..Engine die suddenly.No warning, no hesitation, just die..Crank right back till next episode..Now won't crank period ? (changed coil )..I just not sure what to do mister ??

Hot wire the coil by hooking a wire from battery + to coil + and see if it will crank over and run.

 

You'll have to remove that wire to shut engine off if it does.

 

Let us know what happens.

Thank you in advance for your tip...Great lil truck, but this has been so frustrating..Do my best to try this today and give you a shout..Wish me luck ? I need some

Tried a jumper to hot side of coil ..Engine cranks, but still will not fire ??Help

Did you check for spark from the coil-disty lead when you tried the hot-wire?

Like TomRhere, it seems like you are losing the power from distributor on center dist. lead. Check your spark plug wires. Are they bad?

Plug wires are nearly new ? Brat is titled '84, but think it's a '85?  Embarrassed to ask,  but I can't find the ecm ?  Thought it was supposed to be under drivers seat, but I can't find it ? Help

The ECM (that it wouldn't have unless its a CA spec engine) does not control ignition on that model.

 

The entire ignition is controlled by the distributor. All the system needs is power to the coil + and the distributor hooked up to the coil. Yellow to negative and Red to positive. If you run a wire directly from the battery to coil + and it does not work then you aren't getting the ignition pulse signal from the distributor module. If you put a test light from the coil negative to battery positive while cranking the engine the light should pulse on and off as the distributor module grounds the negative side of the coil to fire it. If it does not pulse then the distributor module is improperly connected, bad, or the distributor isn't turning (primary side failure)

 

If you do the pulse test and you are getting the pulse then the coil is bad, or you have a cap/rotor/plugs/wires issues not getting the spark from the coil to the plugs (secondary side failure). 

 

It's a super simple system - the one pulse test with a $5 test light will tell you almost everything you need to know. 

 

GD 

Edited March 10, 20179 yr by GeneralDisorder

i have had the distributor module fail without warning - GD's test above would confirm that

 

i have also had something dicky in the ignition switch that it would not run in the "start" ie cranking position

so you would crank the engine and it would start after you released the key if it were turning quick enough

i installed a push button to start and got around that.  to test that you could jump the solenoid with the key on or roll start it....(push, tow....)

2 different garages have looked at this little truck and surrendered ?  New dist., new switch..Need to ask somebody ? Last garage said it was a California car with a computer and possibly it is at fault ? I've looked under the seats and I can't find a dang computer on it ?  Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated ..Thank ALL of you for your prior posts..sincerely

I hope I don't sound stupid ? (easy for me)  Does this '84 model have a "resistor" between the switch and coil to reduce the voltage ? If it does and failed (old age) might this be the problem ?

No resistor on these.

 

ECU is mounted to the underside of steering column. Have to remove that trim panel to access it.

The ECU (if equipped) on that model does not control ignition. Your fault lies elsewhere.

 

I detailed some test in my post above that will narrow it down.

 

GD

New distributor..Unhooked everything and straight wired distributor..still no pulse.. Have tried another coil..2nd distributor ? Help

All hooked to coil is jumper..2nd distributor..No pulse..Tried different coil off running vehicle Help

Is the distributor spinning when you crank the engine?

 

GD

Edited March 29, 20179 yr by GeneralDisorder

Engine turns fine..Added new "ground" from body of distributor..New coil..still no pulse ??

Engine turns, ok, good. Does the distributor rotor turn with the engine?

YES

I would like to say THANK YOU  to all who have helped me folks....A big THANK YOU ....I am at the point hunting for the ECM ? I simply can't find it..Non turbo truck ? But evidently it has one but don't think its on the underside of steering column as one response said ?  Where is it ?

The carb computer DOES NOT CONTROL IGNITION. Is that clear enough? We simply unplug them when we do Weber swaps. The ignition system works just fine on its own. Stop troubleshooting with Visa!

 

GD