Re: Mysterious Starting Problem '89 200TQ

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.pl>]

At 20:25 13.08.98 -0400, Rick Rolston wrote:

>I have an '89 200TQ with 210,000 km. on the clock. Every once in a while
>and, for no apparent reason, the car won't start. It will turn over but
>simply not fire. There is no apparent pattern to when it won't start and it
>could happen anytime - on a cold start or a warm start. If I leave the car
>for a few minutes after it won't start and then try it the car will fire up
>right away and run. Any ideas about what might be wrong?

First you have to determine if the problem is caused by lack of spark or
lack of fuel. Next time the car doesn't want to start, disconnect the
ignition wire that goes from the ignition coil to the distributor from the
distributor and hold it with an insulated tool approx. 5mm from the block
or head. Have someone crank the engine while you look for spark. Let us
know the result.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)