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Re: [T3] Wont start again, But I'M starting to hate FI


On 3 Jul 2002, at 22:51, Mike Wodkowski wrote:

> The problem is this: starter turns engine over , but there's no ignition.
> This has regularly occurred after short slow trips on hot days. It happened
> after a mile drive to the Pep Boys for oil filters this morning. Then, later
> in the day after I changed my oil, I went to a LAPS (none are F here)
> for some brake pads

After just a 1 mile drive, this doesn't sound like a hot engine problem. You 
need to figure out for sure whether the problem is fuel or ignition, or have you 
done that? The best way is to have an inductive timing light which you clip 
around a plug wire and hold the trigger closed while you crank the engine 
with the starter. If you have ignition, the light should flash. The problem is 
PROBABLY in the FI, but there's no certainty in that, so you really have to 
be make sure that you're troubleshooting in the right area.  

If the ignition IS working you've already done the first test: Listen for the 2 
clicks. Then

2) Listen for the fuel pump. Is it running between the 2 clicks?

3) Turn the key ON. Go to the engine and open the throttle; do you hear a 
series of clicks everytime you open it?

> Bentley says "If the engine refuses to start but the pump is operative check
> the connection between wire 18 on the ecu and terminal 50 of the starter
> twelve volts should be reaching wire 18 while the starter is in operation.
> A) How exactly do I do this BY MYSELF? B) How do I get the ECU open? Pull
> all those little tabs? I can't remember. How do I check 12V on wire 18? Hook
> the red lead of my VOM to 18 and the black to Ground?

As you say these tests are all too hard to do on the spot. You need a better 
solution that you can do on the spur of the moment.

> It also says another possibility is a faulty temp sensor. Mine reads 250 in
> the heat. No Good. HOWEVER, grounding it did not solve the problem, so I'm
> not convinced it IS the problem. 

Did you try the sensor I mailed you? I can certainly mail them all back to you 
to switch. I don't mind.

> Bentley says the only other options are the pressure sensor diaphragm unit or
> a defective pressure regulator. 

There are always other possibilities that the Bentley doesn't mention.

> How do I test these without the Bosch testing device.

I'd be willing to ship you my Bosch tester which you could put in the car and 
monitor constantly. Best of all, you could quickly run thru all the tests when 
the car fails, and that would pinpoint the problem. It IS going to seem 
somewhat mysterious to you, and you WILL have to learn how to remove the 
ECU to use it, but that's not really a big deal at all. You don't even have to 
open the engine compartment to do it. Plus the tester has a long cable so 
you can plug it in and put the tester in the passenger seat.  

> Or maybe this is unrelated...three of my spark plug cooling boots are not in
> good shape. 

Not related, I'm sure.

I don't blame you for feeling angry and frustrated. Wish I were there.

-
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

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