Petrol from the Air Filter? (1988 8v)

[mk1]

rubjonny, these are two completely different ignition systems, disconnecting the vacuum pipe to a distributer on a carb setup is only removing the vacuum advance unit, it has nothing to do with the distributers ability to make a pulse from the hall sensor to switch the ign amplifier to make the spark at the coil. The hall sensor on a digi setup sends a signal to the ECU that is used to calculate engine RPM and this also used in the calculation to fire the injectors. The ECU makes a load calculation from engine RPM, throttle position, temperature and air mass then triggers the ign amp to fire the coil at the correct time to suit the conditions. So I think that if the ECU was filling the cylinders with fuel and you have no spark, to quote another regular forum member,

So the verdict is its f**ked then  

Hope this makes my train of thought a bit easier to understand.
Steve.

[diagnosis-dub]

The ECU says no 

[AudiA8Quattro]

Thats basically it, digifant is fully electronic fuel injection, so the ECU controls the fuel and ignition completely.
Carbs are a mechanic setup.
Well done to Steve for a much more technical explanation  

[rubjonny]

Oh ok then  It would be nice if the Haynes gave you a bit more info on how the digifant system works, I need to dig out my copy of the Bentley really!

The Haynes doesn't give any way of testing the ECU either, it just says 'take it to a VW specialist'

[mk1]

Plug in another ECU  .
Steve.

[AudiA8Quattro]

Oh ok then  It would be nice if the Haynes gave you a bit more info on how the digifant system works, I need to dig out my copy of the Bentley really!

The Haynes doesn't give any way of testing the ECU either, it just says 'take it to a VW specialist'

Don't rely on Haynes for information 

[mrwotto]

Oh ok then   It would be nice if the Haynes gave you a bit more info on how the digifant system works, I need to dig out my copy of the Bentley really!

The Haynes doesn't give any way of testing the ECU either, it just says 'take it to a VW specialist'

Don't rely on Haynes for information

So dont rely on haynes or gfs parts what can we rely on??

The size of the portions in fish and chip shops?

[Mirage-]

So to clarify, my engine is PB and it's a 1988 1.8 8v running Digifant injection.

I've replaced the battery with new, replaced the starter motor, 8 months old coil (gsf).

Are the above mentioned tests no good for the Digi then? if not are there any other tests which I can do to pin point the problem and get a replacement part?

Thanks in advance

Ian

[rubjonny]

All those tests are still valid for the digi ignition system, but non will tell you if the ECU is blown.

[Mirage-]

So...

Check for spark at plug leads
Check for spark at coil lead before distributor cap
Check coil is receiving power.
Check Ignition Switch
Check Hall Sender
Check wiring.

If all fail ECU knackered?