[urq] SOS - Stranded!! Ignition Problem?

Thu Jul 2 21:40:31 PDT 2009

I've got the 034 metal/silicone piece from IC-TB, but I will check it out very closely.  I've blown three of the originals there.  My box of spares in the trunk includes one of those that I rebuilt with "automotive" duct tape, plastic tie wraps, and an added internal spring.  That one holds full boost easily.  I've also blown several turbo-IC hoses.  I have the Mopar part on the car right now (I think you and Justy saved the day over the phone with that trick the last time I was up here).  I have two torn stock ones that I can rebuild similar to the bionic IC-TB one I did.  I also have the 034 part for this one, but it seemed like it wouldn't fit (metal part too long?). 

I also have a brand new fuel pump in the trunk that I may throw on for the heck of it.  You and Nathan have pointed the finger at it, so that's good enough for me to suspect it.  When I relayed the one on there now it really woke up the car on the top end, so it might have been marginal even then (few years ago). 

I'll also have a go at those sensors.  Nathan's bringing a coil, so I might just lick this yet.  Thanks again for all the support! 

Eric R. 
'86 urq 
'92 urS 
'93 urS 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ingo Rautenberg" <ingo.rautenberg at gmail.com> 
To: racingiron at comcast.net 
Cc: urq at audifans.com 
Sent: Friday, July 3, 2009 12:23:09 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [urq] ** SOS - Stranded!! ** Ignition Problem? 

I'd check again at the hose that goes  from the intercooler to the throttle body.  Had that one go out on me at the Nationals at Brainard 5? years ago.  Ended up wrapping that uncommon hose with self-fusing vulcanizing electrical/pressure tape and it would even (as I'd later discover) handle 17+ lbs of boost (kept it under 14lbs for the trip back just in case).  Got me home through the Upper Penisula of Michigan  (14 hrs and 800  miles). 

On Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 12:10 AM, Ingo Rautenberg < ingo.rautenberg at gmail.com > wrote: 

Ok, then.  Try unplugging and plugging back together the crank and ignition sensor plugs just behind the engine -- also check the hall ender plug  on the distributor.  Sometimes these can get dirty and cause funny things to happen.  I never had the ignition module go bad on either the '83 or the '84 Urq, though I did replace the coil once on the '84 (though I don't ecall now if that solved my problem at the time or not). I may even have a spare -- it's an MSD unit. 

On Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 12:02 AM, < racingiron at comcast.net > wrote: 

I thought about the boost leak, but I've had a bunch of those in the past and I got a real bad whistle, and it seemed to run worse under high boost, and relatively OK at part throttle--kinda opposite of this problem.  I also tried removing the dipstick and got the expected stumble.  I'll definitely check the hoses tomorrow though. 

The pump is indeed relayed under the seat.  It doesn't really feel like a fuel cutout because it comes and goes quickly, and seems worst when under lower demand. 

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming! 

Eric R. 
'86 urq 
'92 urS 
'93 urS 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ingo Rautenberg" < ingo.rautenberg at gmail.com > 
To: racingiron at comcast.net 
Cc: urq at audifans.com 
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:42:19 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [urq] ** SOS - Stranded!! ** Ignition Problem? 

Eric, 

Could be, but I'd look at the more obvious -- vacuum leak or tear in the intake/boost hoses.  If the tear gets big enough, it'll mess up your fueling enough to give you those same symptoms.  I take it you checked the wiring connections at the fuel pump and have it relayed? 

HTH 

On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 11:34 PM, < racingiron at comcast.net > wrote: 

So, I'm on my way to Mid-Ohio, enjoying the cooler weather and the urq... The problem started as a very occasional and brief cut of power while under partial boost (5-10 psi). It was just like a quick hiccup, then everything was fine again. Then it progressively got more frequent and pronounced. It would idle OK and seemed to smooth out under full boost, but part throttle on or off boost was bucking wildly. For a time I could downshift to 4th and run about 4200 rpm with fewer troubles, but even that eventually got bad. It got to the point that full boost wouldn't even work right, and idle would sometimes be bad, even stalled a few times. 

Here's all the stuff that didn't fix it: 
- Parked for about an hour while I had dinner--problem returned almost immediately after restart. 
- Pulled cap, it and rotor look fine, as do wires. Haven't checked the plugs yet. 
- Unplugged O2, still bucked but there seemed to be more unburnt fuel, lots of backfire pops accompanied by smoke. 
- It hasn't had any starting issues all day. 
It got so bad that it was undrivable on the interstate. I parked it and have continued on (luckily, the fair Elizabeth was following in her Mini). 

So, it doesn't seem isolated to a cylinder, so I'm thinking the coil's dying, or maybe the ignition module? Am I overlooking anything? Any BTDT or advice for me? 

What are my chances of scoring a coil on a holiday weekend? Is this coil shared with other I5s or is it special to the urq? 

I'm headed for the hotel right now and will return tomorrow morning to see what can be done. 

Thanks in advance, 
Eric R. 
'86 urq 
'92 urS 
'93 urS 
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