ARGH! Won't run!

[David.Ullrich at ferguson.com]

It started! At the suggestion of another lister, I checked the 3 wire plug that goes into the distributor. It was actually partly popped out of the distributor. No the plus wasn't loosed, the harness part had popped out. Well  snapped it back in. The wires didn't appear to be damaged. Then just for the heck of it, I disconnected the ISV and then tried to start it. Well she sprang to life! With the ISV disconnected the idle bounced like crazy. I plugged in the ISV and it settled down. Idled perfect. I took her for a quick run around the parking lot and all seems OK now. No clue what the real cause was. Hopefully the Audi Gods were just reminding me she is due for an oil change...

Dave

Too Many Toys:
1987.5 Audi Coupe GT "Special Build" 2.3 - Anthracite Black
1998 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - For Sale CHEAP
1985 Chevy Impala SS
2002 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T Tiptronic
1993 RX-7 R1


-----Original Message-----
From: Bernard Littau [mailto:bernardl at acumenassociates.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 3:42 PM
To: David Ullrich - 0018 HQ
Cc: Quattro
Subject: RE: ARGH! Won't run!


Are you sure it wasn't the 3rd cylinder from the back with the loose plug?
he asks palindromically.

Could be flooded, time will cure that (wait an hour to let the gas
evaporate).  You might also check your air intake path for popped hoses.
Bucking/backfires can loosen things up a bit.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq

> Get in the Coupe to run over to my companies other site. About 2
> blocks from starting, the engine starts to buck wildly and
> misfire. Has no power. The digi RPM gauge is bouncing all over
> the place. I limp it back and just as I pull into the lot it
> stalls. I crank for a while, but it won't start. Pop the hood and
> discover that the spark plug for the 3rd cylinder back from the
> front is VERY loose. I get a wrench and tighten it up, still
> won't start. Doesn't even sound like it's catching at all. No
> overt signs of anything wrong. Checked the fuel pump fuse, it's
> OK. I had cranked it quite a bit at this point (with and without
> gas pedal pressed in). So, at this point could it be flooded?
> What else should I check? I have VERY limited access to tool,
> virtually none. Should I just have it towed to the dealer? I'm
> stranded away from home (at work). HELP?
>
> Dave
>
> Too Many Toys:
> 1987.5 Audi Coupe GT "Special Build" 2.3 - Anthracite Black
> 1998 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - For Sale CHEAP
> 1985 Chevy Impala SS
> 2002 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T Tiptronic
> 1993 RX-7 R1
>
>