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Posted on Mar 29, 2009

1988 vw golf turns over, won't start. How can I tell if it is getting gas and spark. It has a new cap and rotor someone just replaced. Could those be installed improperly?

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Anonymous

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  • Posted on May 23, 2009
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It is very possible that the cap and rotor are on wrong. if the spark coming from the cap isnt going to the right cylinder, you will have cranking but no start.

let me start by saying this is MY way of fixing the problem if you KNOW that the above is the issue. This is not the correct way, and i dont know if this could cause any damage so do at your own risk, all i know is it worked for me.

Put the rotor on a cylinder of your choice. try to crank the motor, if it doest crank, reset to the same cylinder and repeat the process untill the motor finally turns over.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Mar 12, 2009

SOURCE: Won't start

check the ignition coil, power control module, fuel pump relay,fuel pressure, fuel pump and oil pressure switch.

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Anonymous

  • 140 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 21, 2009

SOURCE: 1988 nissan pickup engine rotates but does'nt start.

it sounds like the injectors are not opening up man.. replace the injectores and this should fix your problem..good luck keith....

emissionwiz

Marvin

  • 85242 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 25, 2009

SOURCE: spark plug sequence

this is a 1.8L but the firing order is the same for a 1.4, just can't find a picture of that engine,
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Bill Hackett

  • 383 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 05, 2009

SOURCE: car won't start

Stang: Nissan had a TSB on weak spark related to the Altima's and Sentra's. It had to do with water getting trapped in the spark plug tubes due to the steam hole vents in the plug wires becoming clogged and/on the wires no longer sealing well to the motor, thus allowing water to accumulate into the plug holes. This would cause a weak spark condition. You would still get an injector pulse as long as the ignition can be triggered.
As far as fuses: There is a box on the driver's side which contains fusible links and fuses. Unless you are checking for power with the ignition on, most of the circuits will be dead because they are switched circuits through the ignition switch. The headlights will be hot without the key on, as will the running lights,horn and brake lights.
However due to the fact that you have light spark and have injector pulse, would tell me that you have power to the ECM. If you want to check circuits, buy a cheap test light and follow the instructions. it is a simple diagnostic tool for checking for open circuits.
Hopeful I might have given you some direction. Good luck.
PS: if you replace plug wires, do so with a good quality wire. I have found that NGK wires and the Original equipment wires seem to be the best quality, lasting the longest. Life time warranty parts mean nothing if they fail at inconvenient times and with frequency. Many of these warranty's are gambles made by parts houses based on the fact that people loose their information, don't keep the cars and or just forgot they had the warranty and went out and replaced the parts again.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Sep 12, 2009

SOURCE: 87 vw fox wont start

I have an 87 fox that won't start. Got good spark, so it must be fuel. The car wants to start but no fuel. I understand that a 87 Fox has 2 fuel pumps. One for the top of the tank and one for the bottom. I know the bottom one died years ago but now I believe the top one has gone. Where can I find it on the car and how can I check. Or do you think it may be something else?
Thanks,

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Related Questions:

1helpful
1answer

1985 VW Cabriolet won't start turns over have power to top of cap-coil but no spark from plugs has new cap-rotor and coil any ideas?

It is hoped you have replaced the wires that go from your distributor cap to each of your spark plugs AND that the gap on your plugs are set correctly.. Secondly, if you replaced your rotor head, and it is not sparking, it is very possible your rotor isn't making the connection inside the dist. cap.

the only way to verify this is to get your old rotor and put it back on. If it fires, you know your replacement part isn't configured properly.
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Chugs

fuel filter or a fuel pump could also be plugs, wires, cap and rotor I would try fuel filter first then take a plug off a cylinder and hold it close to screw driver or something(dont hold unless have rubber to grip to please dont get shocked) if it doesnt spark your not getting spark and try plugs wires cap and rotor if it does spark then open gas lid have someone turn ignition switch on and listen if you here the fuel pump is still good if not replace it. It does sound like a fuel pump
1helpful
2answers

My car just stopped running and it turns over but wont start.

Someone will have to diagnose the ignition system.
It could be a relay, the ignition module, cap and rotor if equipped, or a long list of other things.
Is the check engine light on ? Have you checked it for trouble codes ?
1helpful
1answer

Car started and ran fine, quit while driving and now there is no spark and turns over.

Hello first of all

In reading your issue at hand not having no spark there is only a few things that can cause this being that its a 1988 car i will list below what you need to go over and check.

1.spark plug wires
2. distributor cap
3. ignition rotor
4. coil pick up
5. faulty distributor

That being said most are a easy and cheap fix plug wires run about 20-35 bucks autozones duralast brand , distributor cap runs between 7-18 bucks , ignition rotor 3-8 bucks , coil pick up about 15-30 bucks all at autozone.

Now there is no real way to tell if there bad but a good examination of the distributor cap and rotor should tell you corroded inside cracked worn down.

i would start with distributor cap , ignition rotor, coil pick up if the car starts after this replace spark plugs wires. If that does not fix it most likely you distributor is faulty itself.

i hope it helps if so could you leave me so 4 thumbs up feedback thanks so much
0helpful
1answer

I have a 1998 VW Golf. I have noticed that when it rains or when the car does not start. I have replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, starter, battery, its been tuned, oil change. It still does...

You didn't mention distributor rotor. This part should be replaced with the dist. cap. If moisture in the ingnition circuit is the problem, try spraying entire ingnition system with WD40. This will waterproof wires cap coil and distributor.
0helpful
1answer

1989 golf turns over, new distribitor and starting

Did you use electric grease on these parts, the plug wires,and coil pack need this grease on there. It prevents moisture and wetness from rain getting within the components and causing mis-fire. Did it rain or was it cold outside to produce moisture. Grease is $2 for small pack. I just worked on a 95 VW, changed the cap,rotor button, spark plugs, cleaned throttle body, new air filter, fuel filter. His would run fine, but would cut off sometimes up to hours until the moisture dried. After tuning it up, he no longer has the problem. He goes through water puddles to see if it will quit, but it hasn't yet. Worth a $2-$3 try.
0helpful
1answer

Car will not start

If I am right, the firing order is,1-3-4-2. With the dissy cap removed, have someone turn the engine over so you can see which way the rotor arm goes. Set the engine to TDC and the rotor arm should point to the No1 cylinder at the start of the firing order. If it rotor points away from the No 1 cylinder then slacken the dissy housing and move the diddy until the rotor ppoints to the No1 cylinder. Now pHT lead from the No1 spark plug to the No 1 possition on the dissy cap. The next lead goes on the next available possition on the dissy cap in the way of the rotation of the rotor then to the No3 spark plug carry on the same with 2 and 4 and that should solve your problem unless you have a different firing order.
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