re. 86 5KTQ Won't Start :-(

[Ben Swann]

Louis - trimming your post in order to answer questions.


[I bought a non-running '86 Audi 5KTQ 
: 
The engine turns and so does the rotor in the
Distributor, but no spark at the end of each spark
plug. 

- OK we'll start with assuming spark based on that

A mechanic at the car lot said the previous mechanic,
who no longer works there, told him the car had a bad
ignition coil. 

- Coil check is in Bentley Factory service manual, as well as most of the systematic checks - you'll be advised more than once to get one.  Pay for itself generally after first use.

I was told that I could use the ignition coil from my
VW on the Audi and did so but still got no spark :(

- Not likely, but there is procedure to narrow down coil, hall sender, etc.

I also checked the ignition hot wire in the ignition
coil that comes from the ignition switch (with
ignition switch on and also cranking it) and appears
to be in working order. So I guess the ignition switch
is OK.

- And that means you are getting positive to coil

Someone suggested that perhaps the car has a bad hall
sending unit in the distributor.

-  Hall is likely suspect, and Bently procedure is step by step.  I or someone else may be able to get that for you in the interim while you source a Service manual

I located several Audis 5000 at the local junky but
non are  Turbo Quattro, thus have a distributor with
an vac. advance mechanism (little saucer to the side)
similar to that in my VW. My 5KTQ does not have such 
little vac. advance attached to the side of it. Also
theignition coil on my 5K is unlike those non turbo non
Quattro at the junky.

- Wont work

However, I located a distributor from a 91 Audi 80 
that looks like that of my 5KTQ and wonder if they are
compatible even though do not share the same part
number.

- Wont work either, as the 80 (if 5 cyl) uses a 5 window hall wheel and the 5kt uses a single window wheel.

Here are the #s in the distributors to determine
compatibility in both Audis.

On my 1986 5000CS Turbo Quattro
Z515 <----
0237522011
035905206 AF

On the Audi 80 manufactured on 11/90
Z515 <----
0237522015
034905505 H

Are they compatible?

- No

The latter one seems to have been in good working
ordersince the car was hit on the right fender and grill
pushed in a little. Guess owner did not want to spend
money to get that relatively minor hit fix and decided
to junk it instead. 

Visually speaking, both dist. look similar if not the
same, 
except for the cap. 

 -  until you remove the cap

On the Audi 80 all the housing
connections on the cap look the same, where as in my
5KTQ three of the connections (to the spark plug
wires)are raised slightly above the others (I think so that 
they do not bunch-up as in the Audi 80's cap.. on the 
outside to where the spark plug wires connect).

And speaking of which, the coil on my 5K has three
little wires connected to it, one being the power from
the ignition switch I tested the other day as. I'm
getting constant power coming form the ignition
switch,
both with the ignition switch to the on position
and while cranking the engine.

There are two other green wires, which connect to the
opposite side of the power (hot) wire. On that same
hot wire side there is another little port to which
nothing is connected. I wonder if some other wire
should be connected there

Would anyone happen to know?

- Ground - Green is usually Ground(as is brown), but I see green around the distributor as ground wire(unless someone just threw any color wire at it) and you may be missing the ground, which if I recall should go to a ground Point, but off hand don't recall.  Have to look at a diagram or car, and as you probably figured, don't have my Bentley manual with me.


In my 87 Quantum Syncro, that other available little
prong next to the "hot wire" has a wire connected as
well.

- Way different, don't try to figure how the 5kt is supposed to be by looking at the synchro.

- Get the ignition sorted first and then onto the next stuff.

- You got a great car, just need to get it sorted.  You'll love it! Ben