Ignition problem driving me mad....

[Jm123]

Evening....

I drive a 1989 300SE Auto which has just decided to pack up as the festive season starts!!

I'm looking for a bit of help here as to what the problem is and how to solve it or any hints or tips to get motoring again asap....

Basically, the battery is turning the car over but there doesn't seem to be be any spark to start the engine. I checked the leads and there's no spark going to the spark leads or into the alternator. Sometimes the battery will dtruggle to turn over itself. A friend mentioned something about a coil not working properly.

Occasionally the car has jumped into life when i pumped the accelerator a few times but now it's just giving up completely.

As mentioned above, any help at all will be gratefully appreciated!

Merry Xmas!

 

[Boblet]

haynes manual from halfords, the coil pack i think your friend is talkin about is what generates the power for the spark plug to operate. Im not familiar with your engine, it may have 1 coil pack per cylinder, 1 per bank or 1 per engine, if you're not gettin spark from any plug id imagine its 1 coil for your engine. The cold weather always destroys weak electrical components, a new battery might sort if, so if you can borrow a 'good' battery to test with start there, as coils are usually expensive

 

[turnipsock]

I woulld check the wires going to the coil packs.

 

[Jm123]

Cheers gents, much appreciated!

 

[television]

I did see your thread and hope to go into a little more detail this eve.

Malcolm

 

[television]

Is your car a 126 or 140 please VIN 6 number 126--- 140---

Malcolm

 

[Stevie A]

Check for spark on the king HT lead from the coil to the distributor. (You need to short it by sticking a screwdriver or something into the end of the lead, but I don't know how - someone else please advise). If there is a spark then the distributor is faulty probably. If no spark then it may well be the coil(s).

 

[Jm123]

Hi Television.....it's a 126.....

 

[Stircrazy]

Evening....

I drive a 1989 300SE Auto which has just decided to pack up as the festive season starts!!

I'm looking for a bit of help here as to what the problem is and how to solve it or any hints or tips to get motoring again asap....

Basically, the battery is turning the car over but there doesn't seem to be be any spark to start the engine. I checked the leads and there's no spark going to the spark leads or into the alternator. Sometimes the battery will dtruggle to turn over itself. A friend mentioned something about a coil not working properly.

Occasionally the car has jumped into life when i pumped the accelerator a few times but now it's just giving up completely.

As mentioned above, any help at all will be gratefully appreciated!

Merry Xmas!

How did you do your check and do what do you mean about spark to the alternator?

Tried cleaning the battery connections? (esp Earth?)

 

[Jm123]

Sorry.....a 126.024.103.981

 

[Jm123]

Stir Crazy/Stevie A....

I checked the spark to the alternator by putting a screwdriver into the cable that feeds into the alternator to see if it sparked off the chassis when the ignition was switched on. The battery still turns over but there's no spark to the alternator......

 

[Stircrazy]

If power is going to the starter motor the fault is in the HT circuit.

check the battery connections, and the fuses too!

Also creating short circuits with a screwdriver is not really a good idea (diagnosically speaking)

 

[Ultymate]

I'm sorry but I think you've got your alternator mixed up with either your distributor or ignition pack, you certainly don't have HT spark going to or from your alternator, your alternator simply has two leads one the large connection to battery + and the second gets the exitation (IND) feed via the charge warning light on your dash and is driven by a serpentine belt. :???: and the fault won't be with your battery connections either or you starter would not crank

 

[Stircrazy]

OK then.

Wont start.

Duff Battery?

Turns the Starter so...

No spark?

Sure?

Loose / Dirty connections?.....

Fuses?

No Joy?

Take it in somewhere they will have a look.

££££££s!

 

[Stevie A]

Yeah I think you are calling the distributor the alternator. Sounds like coil or that side of things related problem then.

 

[Jm123]

Gents,

After a replacement coil and 2 hours spent on it by a mechanic this morning i think it's been narrowed down to the fuel pump relay. However, the mechanic wasn't 100% sure of which relay was the fuel one!

So, i've attached a pic here.....i don't suppose anyone could point it out to me could they? Also, is there anyway to fix these things as opposed to paying for a new one. I've had a quote of around £100 from Merc Benz in Bedford but i'd rather not fork out for one if i can make some adjustments or fix it myself.

Thanks again!

Jim