1990 G60 NO Spark, NO Start

[cabby-67 0]

I just picked up a 90 rado, 5speed from a family member. He parked it 7 years ago for an overheating issue. My son is a new driver and what a great learner car for him and or a toy for myself. Christmas day we pushed it to our house, two blocks away, luckily it was down hill. Upon first inspection it looks like there is more than an overheating problem as coil wire was disconnected and 3 wire plug at dizzy was disconnected. Looks like someone else was working on the no start issue.

 

My findings. Good compression on all holes. Have voltage at coil wires to coil. Voltage at wires before connecting to coil with key on, 12+ volts. When connected to coil, 0 volts. Black wire is still hot and show current when touching meter to chassis ground. Ground wires at coil ???? where do they go, one I am sure is RPM, right?? Put on a new cap and rotor as old ones were highly carboned. Hooked everything up, pulled a plug, and no spark. Did a dizzy test, pulled it and spun it with key on, no clicking at fuel rail. I tried two other dizzys (thinking that maybe it was the hall sensor) and same thing, no spark. Hard to believe all three dizzys are bad. I really need help here.

 

Found 5 pin relay #3 testing bad on my snap on relay tester. Ordered another relay, why are there 4 pins now???? My old one was a 5 pin relay, did they give me a wrong relay, all websites show 4 pins now, or do they not use the skinny pin any longer. Is the 4pin relay a replacement for the 5pin relay? The #3 relay is for the ECU or ECM, right? After plugging in new (4pin) relay, still no spark.

 

I really need help here. Tried a new coil, new wire, new plug, nothing, nothing, nothing, quickly returned those parts as it looks like my money will need to be spent elsewhere on this car. I notice that the ignition switch is now tempermental, maybe I am losing current there, how do I hotwire this (testing purpose only) until I get a new switch.

 

AGAIN, PLEASE HELP. I am at wits end, I hate to think that twice in my lifetime that I have come across a VDUB from HELL.

 

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

[junkie 0]

I cant really help too much but mine had a very similar if not the same issue, the relay was dead which is as you say for the ECU.

 

Quite a common problem.

 

Oh and welcome to the forum and what a 1st car to learn in, over this side of the pond (assuming your American) we usually have to wait years to get to these cars, damn insurance.

[Supercharged 2]

Yeah not sure about the relay but it should have the same pins as the original - is it the same part number???

 

I'd also change the ignition switch and the fuel pump relay too as they are probably original - switch may fix it!

[Supercharged 2]

Just a couple more things - to 'hotwire' the ignition search for 'emergency ignition' on here - it's basically a case of making 5 wires into one, the one being the middle connector (thick wire) - connect every wire to this except the thick red/back connection (goes to the starter soleniod) - this will bring you to ignition stage 2 then you touch the other wire to the terminal to crank the starter (don't leave this plugged in!)

 

(also make sure your out of gear / handbrake on and use the key to unlock the steering if you test drive!!!)

 

Overheating issue could be the headgasket as it's an early G60 - newer ones got the copper gaskets!

[junkie 0]

LMAO @ supercharged, after meeting you i never knew you were that way inclined to know those sort of things lol, you seemed so normal, but its always the normal quiet types that are so deceiving.

 

Prepare for lots of Corrados going missing for a couple of weeks now.

[Supercharged 2]

LOL - yeah maybe not the best info to post on an internet forum but it's really not rocket science!

[cabby-67 0]

LOL @ Junkie, maybe I will hotwire one that starts and use it for parts, LOL. Switches are relatively cheap, 10 dollars plus shipping. I just dont want to wait, 35 dollars in stock at one of the parts stores here. Again, the difference can be spent elsewhere, where it is needed.

 

Junkie, I sent you an email. When you replaced your relay, was it 4 or 5 pin at #3?

 

Thank you for the info SuperCharge...... Just trying to rule out all others before concluding that it may be the ECU/ECM.

 

If anyone has any other ideas, please post. I really need to get this running before the end of this week. Last week off before going back to work.

 

Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year.

[cabby-67 0]

As for head gasket, so far, compression tested great and there is no coolant/water in the oil. Again, thanks for the info SuperCharged, will make sure to watch for that one in the future and to replace it with a the better gasket.