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Message
How can a car have spark when the battery is almost discharged, but not when ful
Posted on 2/20/14 at 10:59 am
Posted on 2/20/14 at 10:59 am
Car giving me fits.
For a buddy he delivers pizzas with it. I would wash my hands of it but he's developmentally challenged. I replaced every single component of the ignition system. I was not getting a spark.
Now I can get a spark, when the battery is so dead it cannot turn the starter. (that click-click-click noise) So at that point, I get a strong spark from the coil. So I know I have a good spark.
But when the batter is being jumped or is charged. I get no spark at all from the coil.
So since I have voltage to the coil, It almost has to be a sensor or ECM issue.
I am just not used to these phantom issues.
It's a 1999 Jetta MK3.
I have a thread on VWvortex as well, but actually got tons of help from people on here.
If you lurk and don't want to post, you can email me at napoleontd@gmail.com
It's like a puzzle and I can't find that missing piece.
For a buddy he delivers pizzas with it. I would wash my hands of it but he's developmentally challenged. I replaced every single component of the ignition system. I was not getting a spark.
Now I can get a spark, when the battery is so dead it cannot turn the starter. (that click-click-click noise) So at that point, I get a strong spark from the coil. So I know I have a good spark.
But when the batter is being jumped or is charged. I get no spark at all from the coil.
So since I have voltage to the coil, It almost has to be a sensor or ECM issue.
I am just not used to these phantom issues.
It's a 1999 Jetta MK3.
I have a thread on VWvortex as well, but actually got tons of help from people on here.
If you lurk and don't want to post, you can email me at napoleontd@gmail.com
It's like a puzzle and I can't find that missing piece.
3
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:00 am to Napoleon
Damn flux capacitor seems to be blown.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:01 am to tiger rag 93
quote:
Damn flux capacitor seems to be blown.
right but I installed a Mr. Fusion device after I removed the Hover car conversion. So I'm not sure if I need to power my time circuits now anyway.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:02 am to Napoleon
Sounds like a bad ECM.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:04 am to Napoleon
quote:
But when the battery is being jumped or is charged. I get no spark at all from the coil.
Be sure to post what you found out. Spark when the battery is low but no spark when jumped - that's odd as hell.
I don't work on foreign cars but I would think you might have a bad distributor pickup or crankshaft position sensor.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:06 am to redstick13
quote:
Sounds like a bad ECM.
I think that too. I bought this car off the OT years ago for like $300.
I put a ton of work in it and used it as my BR-NOLA commuter car. I sold it to a friend this summer. I actually let him pay me over six months. Since he has owned it I have changed the clutch and throw out bearing, and the ignition and a window regulator.
All of the above I donated my labor on. But I'm tired of doing that. But at the same time I feel bad for the dude. But he is putting too much wear on the car. I have noted some electrical issues though. The cluster stopped working for one.
I guess I'm going to have to go to a junk yard and pull and ECM. This guy don't know the difference between a phillips screwdriver and a socket wrench. It would be hard to explain to him how to pull an ECM.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:09 am to Napoleon
A Jetta is the wrong car to drive for that type of work. He needs to get some basic Chevy or Ford.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:09 am to lsu fan cw
quote:
crankshaft position sensor.
What's crazy is the MK3 jetta with an ABA engine can run with the CPS removed. I was watching a video. It can just emulate a program to stabilize the engine. The tact is out, so it could very well be part of the problem but I should be able to get spark with a bad CPS.
I need to look into the manual some more.
My issue is, I'm super busy with my own work right now. I'm at eight days to a Disney vacation and have been busting my but so we can have a great time.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:12 am to lsu fan cw
quote:
quote:
But when the battery is being jumped or is charged. I get no spark at all from the coil.
Be sure to post what you found out. Spark when the battery is low but no spark when jumped - that's odd as hell.
I don't work on foreign cars but I would think you might have a bad distributor pickup or crankshaft position sensor.
had this happen on my saturn
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:13 am to lsu fan cw
quote:
A Jetta is the wrong car to drive for that type of work. He needs to get some basic Chevy or Ford.
He got this car, because he knew that I had rebuilt the engine and did a lot of work to it. When it was mine it never had issues. Though I take care of my vehicles.
I blew a head and was back on the road the next day.
He gets it and dogs it out. Also, and I feel bad talking about him. His clutch leg and stickshift arm are shorter. It's a birth defect. He really needs an automatic, but prefers stick shift.
He has been cooking for nearly $20 and because of his appearance cannot find a decent cooking job.
So he quit Check in Check Out (a gas station poboy shop) and decided to deliver pizzas.
It's really stupid. He keeps wanting me to invest in a catering company, but it's a pipe dream.
I digress. Just trying to find the issue here.
Oh well, time to get back to work.
thanks for the help and replies.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:16 am to Napoleon
quote:
What's crazy is the MK3 jetta with an ABA engine can run with the CPS removed
That is crazy. I hope you get it solved and that it doesn't ruin your vacation.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:26 am to lsu fan cw
Sometimes cars fit their owners. I bought a 1995 Jaguar XJ6 (still have it) because it had just received a fantastic paint job but it had some issues (among other things, the dual gas tanks had "imploded" and the creases in the tanks had rusted and were leaking gas). Once I ferreted out the initial issues, the car has been great, even though I know everyone has problems with them.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 11:42 am to lsu fan cw
I had an older jag. The rear breaks being mounted to the rear differential rather than the wheels is still a head scratcher for me. Had the dual 10 gallon tanks as well.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 1:32 pm to Napoleon
Supposedly, the inboard brakes were for weight reduction and less NVH - but it sure makes a need for a rotor replacement a bitch.
Posted on 2/20/14 at 5:31 pm to lsu fan cw
Man I priced ECMs for the Jetta.
More than what I paid LSU480 for the car in the first place. lol
I told the guy today. "look, I'm not really a mechanic, I'm just shop handy. I do not have the time to look at it as I would rather fool around on the internet on my time off, than bust my knuckles. So just bring it to a real mechanic or go to the scrap yard and pull some parts."
I just pulled up from work and he came right out. I mean I'm going to make more on just this microwave I am working on for my customer than Jeff has paid me for all the work I have done to the car since I sold it to him.
So I'm just saying F-it. and I'm glad I drive a Tacoma.
More than what I paid LSU480 for the car in the first place. lol
I told the guy today. "look, I'm not really a mechanic, I'm just shop handy. I do not have the time to look at it as I would rather fool around on the internet on my time off, than bust my knuckles. So just bring it to a real mechanic or go to the scrap yard and pull some parts."
I just pulled up from work and he came right out. I mean I'm going to make more on just this microwave I am working on for my customer than Jeff has paid me for all the work I have done to the car since I sold it to him.
So I'm just saying F-it. and I'm glad I drive a Tacoma.
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