Re: Dead 5000, any suggestions ?

[barry@olympus.ctron.com (Barry P. Lewis)]

>	Hi all,
>	My 5000 left me last night. The engine is cranking but wont start.
>I pulled one plug out, touched it on "ground" and try to start again, but
>I didn't see any sparks. Is this a valid test to prove that the problem
>is electric ?
>	There were no signs of malfunction, although the car would start on a
>second or third try when cold. (Hot was fine).
>	Are there any ideas on where to start looking ? Is there a common
>problematic area in the ignition systems of 5000 ?
>	Thanks for any suggestions/opinions.
>
>Evangelos
>'86 5000 CS T


Check the distributor cap. Everytime my car won't start after running fine the 
day before, I've found the carbon brush in the top of the cap (inside) that 
connects to the rotor to be worn down.

Also, don't arc the wire to test for a spark on electronic ignitions. It can 
blow the ignition module.

Barry
'86 4000CS Quattro