Help - Car wont start

[wagits]

Ok, So I had another look tonight. I removed the coil wire from the distributor. I got a spark but only when I had the lead nearly touching the cam cover. Thought to myself thats a pretty weak spark. Then I noticed that there was a spark right back at the coil pack. Close to where the lead went in. I tried to shove the lead in more but it was in tight. Is there supposed to be an exposed spark around that area. I tried to feel for a crack somewhere but it seemed fine.

[h100vw]

Should only get sparks at the plugs mate. They might escape due to there being an easier path to earth.

I think a good spark would jump 10mm from the lead to earth.

Gavin

[peedman]

Replace the coil, if it turns out its not u can always return it.

[The_Hawk]

Its 120 for an oem ignition coil from tooley imports, i picked up one cheap for about $50 from ebay

Getting it from the US would also be cheaper but ud have to wait for shipping tho.

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Golf/EngineElectrical/57/9

Shipping would take about 4 days, but at US$69 + shipping you would be getting close to the $120 anyway, unless you need some other parts and put in a decent order.

[rayray086]

Some of the earlier engines never had the G28 guys(engine speed sender).

If you do have an Engine speed sender on yours then that also is a possibilty as VW tech says the wiring goes brittle and breaks.

Hey Jmac, is the G28/engine speed sender also known as the crank angle sensor? The one located right below the distributor, and can only be accessed (i.e. removed) by first taking out the front engine mount? I had this fail on me and yes, it was due to the wiring going brittle and wearing out, exposing bare wires. Was a huge heap of trouble to diagnose at first and VW dealers wanted $400 for the part Matt helped me out with calling other stockists/importers but they didn't have the part Ended up pulling a decent condition one from a wreck and having it taped over and over again so as to avoid any future breakages.

A coil failure would be nowhere as bad as the crank angle sensor failing from personal experience!

[wagits]

Not big money in the UK but I haven't had to buy one here.

Have you tried turning it over with the centre lead from the dissy near an earth?

If that sparks then the coil and hall sender are good and you need to look at the plugs cap and leads, if it doesn't then you need to suspect the hall sender in the dissy and the coil.

There is a test for the dissy involving an LED, you shove one down the back of the plug on the dissy and crank it. As it spins the output is enough to light up the LED, proving it is OK.

If you are stuck with substitution then a coil would probably be easiest.

Imparts on Main North Rd probably have one on the shelf.

Whereabouts in Adelaide do you live?

Gavin

I cant seem to find a listing for IMPARTS. So far best price I have had in Adelaide is $170. I can get on for $58 shipped AUD from the states. For that difference I think it may be worth waiting the week or 2. Has anyone been able to find one cheaper locally in adelaide.
cheers

[h100vw]

08 82603577 is the number for imparts.

Gavin

[PassatB6]

ASV in Sydney $100 bought one recently. Theyare super efficient there by post in one or two days max .
Phone them
http://www.eurocarparts.com.au/

[wagits]

Ended up buying off EBAY USA. $60 AUD delivered. Its my spare car so not really in a hurry. Thanks for the responses. I took my ld one out today, seems as if it was arcing up where the lead snaps on to the pin. The arc was then continuing on the outer part of the ceramic cone and arcing on the outer of the pack as well. Must have created a minute hole in the cone. Dont know why that would happen. The lead snaps on tightly. Is this a common fault with the packs or do they fail for other reasons.