4K starting problems

[John Larson]

Thanks again, Huw.  Along with the new switch, we tested the voltage at the
coil and the other places it needs to be.  Battery voltage all around, even
though the spark is  erratic and even appears 'weak' during cranking.  The
diode test light (wonderful tool, every one of us should have one) cycles
red/green indicating signal at the negative side of the coil, the spark just
doesn't correspond .......................... I've looked for hacks too,
thinking fondly of stereo installers run amok ......................
Everything looks just like the other 2 cars under the dash.  There IS one
splice for the new stereo just downstream of the ignition switch, but the
symptoms remained with the stereo out of the car, so that wire's not doing
anything bad.  I can crank the car 'til the cows come home, it'll only start
when the key's released, some of the time.  Other times, it appears to start
correctly.

"  this all
> seems like spark to me, as it starts when you release the key.

Well, you said you replaced the ignition switch, so that possibility has
been eliminated.

If you crank *longer* than necessary, will it still not catch until you
release the key to the "run" position?

If so, it sure sounds like *something* isn't getting power in the start
position... how about looking for possible wiring hacks that might
inadvertently connected something to the wrong part of a circuit?"

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/