no spark and fp not priming

[cabrio2.0]

I have an 85 cabby with a 2.0l 16v from a 91 passat. digi1 ecu. my fp is not priming and I have no spark from my coil. could a bad ignition switch cause both of these problems? i've used the search and can not find the answer. similar problems, no definite answers, or no follow ups if problem solved. need some help and suggestions, many thanks in advance

[rstolz]

Yes, a bad ignition switch could cause this. So could a bad fp relay. Does the starter work?

[cabrio2.0]

starter works, hard cranking though, and 2 new fp relays, I know they can be bad brand new

[rstolz]

Was it running before and now won't? or is this the initial attempt to get it running after completing the swap?

1. Timing. if your timing is off far enough, the ecu may be stopping the engine from firing, and the FP from priming in order to save the engine from castrophic failure.
2. jump the relays, make sure the fuel pump works
3. put a meter on the relays, verify they're good ( i don't know the specs on what pins or readings u should get off the top of my head). should be able to find proper readings/pins to test in the Bentley manual if you have one.
4. check ALL grounds, with a meter.
5. u could pull the plug from the back of the ignition switch and jump it from there. This may not be smart (I personally probably wouldn't do this). You would need to at least set up 2 jumps, one for the starter and one for the switched hot/s. if set up properly though, and if the engine started, you would know for sure if it was the switch. high risk, potentially quick answer.

[cabrio2.0]

had it running, but intermitent. too many other things going on, car waa out side, so rainy weather and night I couldn't work on it, finally in the garage. switch is cheaper route, so going with that, and cross my fingers. hope that's all it is, probably do it thurs or fri. thanks

[nbvwfan]

Also make sure that the coil is grounded to the valve cover (braided wire).
That is what I left unhooked and troubleshot for more than a full day.

[cabrio2.0]

is that the ground that attaches to the coil mount to the valve cover?

[nbvwfan]

yes

[cabrio2.0]

thanks

[nbvwfan]

Did that work?

[cabrio2.0]

need to change ignt switch, not much time

[cabrio2.0]

need to clean and switch out my tb

[rstolz]

detailed update?

[cabrio2.0]

got ignt switch, need to put that in, fun, need to change tb back to 16v at for vac port for ecu, then I can try firing it up, checked all grounds, waiting to get it running so I can lose all the axtra wires in my bay

[cabrio2.0]

just got done changing ignt switch, have to put things back together. tb gonna have to wait till mon. going to see wife and kids this weekend. will let you know how it turns out when I crank it over. hope that was the problem.

[cabrio2.0]

switch did't work, so next onto hell sender. or ecu, it's weird had spark now I don't, could be both coils I have are bad? any other ideas or is that the best place to look next?

[rstolz]

I don't believe the fp is connected to the ecu, so if the fp is still not priming, then I would work on that first, before assuming the ecu is bad.

If you haven't tried jumping the fp yet, now's the time.

If it's an old fuse box, inspect it for corrosion. Pull fuses as well as the plugs from the back of the box. The fuse box and one plug in my '84 was toasted because of this. If there is ANY corrosion evident, and it isn't too bad, grab some contact cleaner and go to work.

[nbvwfan]

I have an 85 cabby with a 2.0l 16v from a 91 passat. digi1 ecu. my fp is not priming and I have no spark from my coil. could a bad ignition switch cause both of these problems? i've used the search and can not find the answer. similar problems, no definite answers, or no follow ups if problem solved. need some help and suggestions, many thanks in advance

Taking your original post.

Have you made sure that the coil is grounded to the valve cover (braided wire).
That is what I left unhooked and troubleshot for more than a full day.

Another thing to check, the Lambda control Fuse (IIRC #21). This can blow from cranking extensively.
If the FP is not priming it could also be the coil ground. I had jumpered Pin 6? on the ECU to get it to prime, but still had no spark, once I hooked up the braided wire, I got FP prime and spark; after changing the blown fuse from this jumper now shorting.
Isoloate the known bad from the known good and work from there.
Good luck.

[cabrio2.0]

jumped the fp relay, it primes. haven't checked lambda though. I checked connector to the hall sender, no voltage on either of the 2 outer wires. would this mean ecu issue? I have 12.5v @ the coil.

[nbvwfan]

jumped the fp relay, it primes. haven't checked lambda though. I checked connector to the hall sender, no voltage on either of the 2 outer wires. would this mean ecu issue? I have 12.5v @ the coil.

No it means your lambda fuse is probably blown.
I had mine go for no good reason, it controls spark albeit indirectly and I believe it is what powers the Hall signal.

[cabrio2.0]

will check in am after work, on midnights, haven't had time to do anything. talked to some guys today, might be fuse box is bad, or dizzy it self. last thing would ecu but not out of question.

[cabrio2.0]

fp priming, played with fuse box and relays. still no spark, getting coil and dizzy fri.

[cabrio2.0]

ok, got a new, used, dizzy. got spark, something was loose in the old one, pull a wire off hall sender, plus there was oil in the old one. plus fp is priming. still hard cranking, not sure if battery has the cranking amps, it's old, or if the starter is too weak.
well it's better than where I was a week ago, day ago.

[rstolz]

[cabrio2.0]

any ideas on hard cranking, or am I on the right track?

[rstolz]

Probly battery

[cabrio2.0]

had battery tested, it's good, cranking amps are good. went over grounds today. starter is probably the original one from my cabby, so 27 yrs old, if it's been replaced, that would make it anout 15 yrs old. $70-80 for a remanufactured one, need to try it.

[rstolz]

Yep, just as a quickly check give the starter cable a good once over; check for corrosion or breaks in the line

[cabrio2.0]

cable is new, I should b able to spin gear fairly easy right? seems to have some drag, doesn't spin that easy by hand, phone has been acting up today due to the storm