Need help in diagnosing T3 problem!

[jadney@vwtype3.org (Melissa & Jim)]

>From: Sonya Herrera-Wilson <herrera@cp10.es.xerox.com>

>When leaving work the other day.  Wouldn't start.  Checked engine
>compartment.  Connection to control unit disconnected.  Now thinks its
>flooded from trying to start.  Wait awhile, starts right up but now timing
>sounds off, back fires.  

Which connection?  There are about 30.

>Husband tinkers, checks vacuum something-or-other and resets timing-Car
>seems to be running smooth & strong.
>
>Start on commute home and almost there when I hear a clicking noise that
>seems to be coming from under the dash somewhere?

That would be the fuel pump relay.

>Car starts acting like its choking...sputtering.  Never died, but when
>clicking noise is heard,
>car sputters.  Idles good at stops but sputters in any gear.

The clicking is the sound of the fuel pump relay turning off and on.  It is 
most likely a symptom and not the problem.  From your description, I would 
say that the computer (which controls the fuel pump relay) thinks the engine 
has stopped and is turning the pump off intentionally.  It thinks this 
because it has stopped getting pulses from the FI trigger contacts in the 
base of the distributor.

What to do:

1) Check the wires and plug that plug into the trigger points.  Is the plug 
in securely?  Are ALL three wires intact going into the plug?

2) Pull the above plug and borrow an analog (with a needle) ohmeter.  Set 
the meter to Ohms, and connect it to the center and one side pin on the 
distributor.
Have someone turn the engine over with the starter.  Repeat with the center 
and other side pin.

Both measurements should give you a needle that alternates to the left and 
right extremes of the dial.  If either of the measurements just gives 
continuous high resistance, see 3), below.  If either of the measurements 
gives continuous low resistance, you probably need to replace the trigger 
point assembly.

3) To clean the trigger points, you must remove the distributor and pull the 
points assembly out of the side of the distributor.  You can clean the 
contacts with a business card or something similar.  Be careful not to leave 
paper fibers in the gap where they might cause problems later.

Jim
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       Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
       jadney@vwtype3.org              jadney@vwtype3.org
                             Laura Kepner-Adney
                             Madison, Wisconsin
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