'84ksq stumble...can't restart: A Fix and a Lesson

[gwbutler]

Hi Tony,

Thanks again for your input on my problem earlier this week
’sorry it took so long to respond! As it turns out the fix was pathetically simple
my son actually suggested it [the fix] although I did get a bunch of good data (after-the-fact but perfectly accurate) from other generous listers as well. I took a couple of hours from work so that I could catch the remnants of the afternoon sunlight to check-out the no-start problem (I ‘gotta build a garage..)  I had noticed that there was relatively significant oxidation on the negative battery terminal and clamp
and, more importantly, that the alternator belt had about 1 ½ inches of play
not good.  Although the battery cranked the starter/engine over adequately, I had slapped the battery on the charger the night of the no-start incident.  The following afternoon, after cleaning the terminals and tightening the alternator belt, I put the now fully-charged DieHard International back in the engine bay and cranked the engine
no dice.  I then popped the distributor cap, cleaned the slight carbon arc traces off of the (inside) plug wire posts and rotor and tried again
zilch!  I had my son come outside to crank the engine while I watched the rotor turn to eliminate the TB as a possibility
mercifully, it rotated nicely.  I then pulled out the fuel pump relay that I had just replaced last year (from The Parts Connection) to check the connection
squeaky clean.  While I was checking the relay my son reminded me that we’d replaced the fuel pump fuse in our other Audi (88 5ksq) “a few times”
I couldn’t remember doing it.  However, when he mentioned it I thought that it couldn’t possibly be that simple
I had NEVER replaced the fuel pump fuse in the 84.  I checked the location of the fuse in the fuse chart under the fuse box cover (#13
15A)
pulled the fuse (wicked old
very discolored)
and saw a beautiful silver arch
with a chunk blasted through the top of it!... Replaced the fuse, turned the car over twice
and it rumbled to a start!  

Duuuhhhhhhhhhhhh
..

Over-thinking causes yet another waste of time and anxiety. I have to remember:


. Symptom

. Section

. Localization

. Isolation

 

Thanks again Tony and please have some terrific holidays!

Regards,

George B.
Massachusetts

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Hoffman [mailto:tfh400036 at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 6:24 PM
To: gwbutler at net1plus.com
Subject: Re: '84 ksq stumble...can't restart

 

The other is to check the timing belt. Then spark and fuel. Actually, you won't have spark or fuel pump if you have a broken TB.

 

Let me know, I know quite a bit about those. I just finished cutting and repairing the tank in one, 4-wire O2 in the other, have had 5, and worked on a LOT more than that. Not to say I know everything, just a lot of experience. 

 

Let me know what you find, and I'll see if I can help.

 

Tony Hoffman

gwbutler <gwbutler at net1plus.com> wrote:

Hello,

My son just called from work (with my 84ksq):

"Dad, I was pulling into a slot at work, the tach dropped from around 1000 to nothing, and then died,...the engine cranks over strong (a subjective phrase at this point)...but the engine won't catch" (thank God for triple A!).

I have to look at it when I get home from work myself. I'm thinking sequentially, spark then fuel (BTW, new fuel pump/pressure accumulator last year, new (rebuilt alternator and starter last fall). Any suggestions for areas to look at first before I go off in the wrong direction diagnostically (and outside...it'll be in the 20's)? TIA

George B.
Massachusetts
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