8v gti won't start (need help)

[telteaboy]

Hi all, not been on site long and now need some help. The car is an 8v 1.8 inj GTi 1990 80k, The car has been standing for about 3 years although i have started the engine on about a monthly basis.
About 3 months ago the battery died, I recently replaced this and now cannot get the engine to fire. There is no spark at the distributer or plugs, but after trying to start engine and on returning key to start position there is a single spark at plug. I have replaced the coil but everything is exactly the same! Any ideas? all help will be gratefully recieved.
Thanks
Terry 

[rubjonny]

does the rev counter jiggle while its cranking over? if not it could be the hall sensor thats dead.  does the fuel pump rpime on 1st click of key, then stop? or does it run constantly with ign on

[telteaboy]

Hi, fuel pump primes after key is turned and then stops, I have been thinking maybe hall sensor, but would that prevent the coil from producing a spark? What about relay ? is there another relay that i can swop with the ignition relay to try?

[rubjonny]

since you're only getting 1 spark this could be explained by a faulty hall sensor. if the fuel pump primes this means the ecu is getting power at least, if the pump doesn't run while the car is cranking on the starter this is another sign that the hall sensor signal is to blame.  take the dizzy cap off and the hall sensor plug, check inside nthe dizzy & plug for oil or corrosion buildup. also look at all the wiring and pins to make sure they are undamaged.

I have seen ign switches fail and stop powering up the coil while the car is cranking over on the starter, this could also happen with a faulty alarm.  To rule this out run a wire from the battery direct to the coil +ve side where the black wires are, if it starts like that I'd be looking at the ign switch and the wiring near the fusebox

[telteaboy]

Thanks for your help with this, after trying to start car again i decided to have a look at the ignition modual. Unscrewing the two screws I could feel a lot of heat, when i picked it up the unit burnt my fingers, it was that hot!!
I have,this morning, ordered a replacement modual off ebay so we will see if that cures the problem.
Many thanks,
Terry 

[telteaboy]

Hooray!!!!! :cool:It worked.
After fitting the 'new' ingition modual the car started first turn.
Thanks for all your help