Subject: intermitent hot start problem

[Burl Vibert]

I'm wondering if I have a similar problem.  I finally had the
opportunity to do a bit of troubleshooting and have pretty much
eliminated vacuum leaks and fuel problems but I still have hot
start problems.

I checked the coil wire and it does indeed have too much
resistance (8000ohm)but it still didn't want to start with
another wire substituted.  I am not getting any spark at the
plugs and also not getting any fault codes.  I am getting 12v on
the BL/R wire on the coil and the coil tests ok.

Can a temperature sensor stop the car from restarting if it
thinks it's overheating?  Also maybe I've finally jiggled stuff
enough as it still doesn't seem to want to start even now that
it's cooled off.

Getting dark, getting frustrated.

Burl Vibert
1987 5kcstq
Kingston, Ontario


Tom B wrote:
> 
> Mike,
> Have you replaced your coil wire? I have seen this problem caused by bad
> coil wires in both audis and vw's. The wire will look and test fine, and
> even produce a spark at the plug, but the spark is not "hot" enough to fire.
> Apparantly the wire will deteriorate over time and break on the inside. When
> car is hot and running, no problem. Turn car off and try to restart, no go.
> 
> Heating/cooling of wire  seems to change resistance or contact, maybe it
> expands/contracts just enough inside the sheathing to make better electrical
> connection? Other symptom of this problem is no starting when it is wet/cold
> out.