Author Topic: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time  (Read 5629 times)

Offline GolfRich

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Hi all,

I was told to post here in the hope I can revive an old mk2 that has been stood for a very long time.
Even if it will never pass an MOT it would be good to get her moving.

Problem is car turns over but does not start. There does not seem to be a spark.

I have taken some various photos in the hope someone can tell me where (and how please) I should check / replace first.












I did think it may of been this ignition module so I replaced it but still no spark :(




What do you think guys?
« Last Edit: 01 September 2012, 19:48 by GolfRich »

Offline CanisLupus

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #1 on: 31 August 2012, 15:50 »
Hm yes, where to start. COuld be many things. I've only just recently been through the same thing as my car gave up the return journey from Dover to Wales, Managed to get to Bristol and had to be towed home for the remainder of the journey. Anyway...


Have you got a Bentley manual or a haynes? It describes a few points where you can test if voltage is getting to the various components in the ignition system to find out if you have a break anywhere.

Likely causes could be: Hall sender in distibutor (this is what had gone in mine), Ignition module (you have changed that though), Coil, main HT lead is broken, Ignition switch behind barrel, distribuor cap has a tear and not making contact, distributor not turning (roll pin has popped out). cable breaks.

Few basic things you could test like, does the distributor turn when you crank the engine?
Do all the HT leads look ok? If you have a voltage meter measure the ohm values and checkfor continuity.
Take a look at the DIstributor cap and the rotor arm, are they damaged, contacts ok, any cracks?
Take a HT lead of a spark plug, take a spare spark and put it on the lead. Wear insulated rubber gloves or insulated handle on some grips, hold the thread of the spark plug on the engine and check for spark. Do the same for the main HT lead (middle).

Otherwise perform voltage tests on all cables and check for continuity.

Oh, and welcome to the forum :)


« Last Edit: 31 August 2012, 15:54 by CanisLupus »

Offline GolfRich

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #2 on: 31 August 2012, 16:01 »
Many thanks for reply :)

Will try all of the suggestion as soon as possible and let you know.

If I were to get this running which parts do you think would definitely be beneficial to replace. Things like sparks, air filter, ht leads?

Offline CanisLupus

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #3 on: 31 August 2012, 17:33 »


If I were to get this running which parts do you think would definitely be beneficial to replace. Things like sparks, air filter, ht leads?

Yeah, a general tuneup would always be good, depending on how long it has been standing, some things I'd recommend would be:

New Oil + Filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Coolant flush + renewel
Brake fluid renewel
New spark plugs
New distributor cap + rotor
Check battery performance with a multimeter and if it charges when running.

Again depending on age, how long its been idle, and if you don't know when it has been done, Timing belt change.

But if you want to do timing belt, then there are other things to do while everything is apart like, new water pump, cam and crack shaft seals, new cambelt tensioner.

THis is if you plan on getting her back on the road i suppose :) But take it easy, see if you can get her to run again first, then change things out gradually, starting with fresh oil. Some others might have some other tips too on what I have forgotten. But to put it easy, there will always be something to do with a MK2 :D But it's fun, I have learnt a hell of a lot.
« Last Edit: 31 August 2012, 17:35 by CanisLupus »

Offline GolfRich

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #4 on: 31 August 2012, 20:05 »
It's running!

There was a cable that had cut off from the negative terminal on the battery. It then started to spark on turn and after some petrol directly into the carb it started! To say i'm chuffed is an understatement. The original ignition module was at fault too though as it will not start with that - so a big thanks to X4MGS153 who told me about this place and supplied the new module.

I'm going to give it a clean over the weekend and see how things look. Now that it is moved I can see the underside better and from what I can see there is hardly any rust on body! Arches look great, which areas on the mk2's suffer the worst for this?

Thanks for the recommended parts to change list CanisLupus, I have made a note and will get to work as soon as possible - really looking forward to it.

I plan to keep all parts as original as possible, is this a good ideal?

Kind regards and thanks!

Offline CanisLupus

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #5 on: 31 August 2012, 21:48 »
Hey, great to hear you found the cause and she runs :)

I would try and keep things as original as possible, as my saying goes: He who buys cheap, buys twice! Not to say there arn't good aftermarket parts, but if you can get originals where possible, spend a little more and you know you will have quality.

Areas which are prone to rust from my experience, Arches, around windscreen normally in the lower half corners, Battery tray, around bootlock (jetta) or rear lock and rear windscreen water outlet (golf)...hmmm sills maybe too. I had trouble also on the lower part of the doors, but that may have been others reasons.

Offline GolfRich

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #6 on: 01 September 2012, 19:48 »
Great advice, thanks CanisLupus.

Found out a bit more on the car (belongs to my dad). The body is from a GTI but engine from a 1.8 8v.  22,000 showing on the clock.

Did a shampoo this morning and removed most of the algae. Not touched cleaning the engine yet as a lot will need renewing.

Just took some more pics, there are some parts I do not know what they are for and some I am unsure of.
Can you please check the parts I have labelled are correct.











I have so many questions but will leave it as that for the minute :) Thanks for your time guys.

Kind regards,
« Last Edit: 01 September 2012, 20:32 by GolfRich »

Offline weazgti

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #7 on: 01 September 2012, 22:44 »
Bottom pic is fuel filter. Part missing is cold air feed ducting, probably be fine without it. Can't really really tell from your pics but it goes fuel filter,fuel pump,reservoir,carb.

Offline GolfRich

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #8 on: 02 September 2012, 11:35 »
Ahh thanks, that makes sense.
Just looked and I can see a spongy like material in the filter now. I never realised there was a fuel reservoir.

I have been told I have a piersberg Carb (was this not common on golfs?), are these prone to causing problems do you know? Any obvious (and quite easy) parts I should be looking at replacing on it?

Kind regards,
Richard

Offline JMallows

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Re: Cannot get mk2 to spark - left standing for a long time
« Reply #9 on: 02 September 2012, 18:53 »
The second picture that you posted (first post at the top of the page) you can see (pretty sure) the other half of the cold air feed ducting that is missing from the from the last picture.

Pretty much all Golfs had Pierburg (except obv GTI and the 1.05litre). 1.3 had 2e3 and 1.6,1.8 had 2e2.


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