Matt75
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Ignition Issues
Hi Guys, Not happy!! I washed the car yesterday and when I hosed it down I heard a sizzling noise from the coil and saw a wisp of smoke coming from somewhere close to the coil and ballast resistor. Now the car won't crank over at all and the ignition light won't come on at all. There is no power to any of the lights, horn etc.. I have checked that I am getting power to the starter motor but I don't get it anywhere else. My question is If the coil is faulty, or if there's a short in the ignition system somewhere, will this explain why there is no power anywhere. Can you gyus give me some things to check out to narrow down what has happened? There is no power to any of the fuses and they are all intact. Thanks Matt
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RS 2000
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/09 20:41:48
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Have you checked for power at back of the alternator B+?If no power there (which is what I am guessing), then check that there is a good connection between battery + and thick yellow wire going into the main loom near ign. coil area. Also make sure the negative battery connections to the body and engine block are good. Cheers
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/10 10:30:43
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Thanks RS2000 am on holidays for the resty of the week so this is a priority. The grounding is all good so I'll use the test lamp and work my way back from the battery in the boot and see where the issue is. I am thinking maybe it's the ignition switch as this'll explain why there is no power anywhere. Cheers Matt
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/10 17:36:17
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After spending about 3 hours today screwing aroundn I reeally have no clue what the F is going on!! I have power to the starter but that is it. Ther is no power to the fuse panel, ignition system, alternator, or interior either. Is there a hidden fuse somewhere I don;t know about? I am thinking maybe 2 things - 1. The ignition switch is not working 2. The relay that goes to the starter motor is rooted Please help!! I need to get my car running to get the rust repaired at the panel shop in 2 weeks time. Cheers Matt
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Mickos
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/10 21:40:22
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Have you tried hotwiring the coil to see if the car will run, you did say no power anywhere at all except starter motor? That will eliminate your coil worries at least, even if you need to jump the starter motor solenoid to kick it over. If you have a test light or multi meter then test for power on the back of the ignition switch, I think the constant 12v power is a big yellow wire? ( so is the acc and ignition i think ). If you have power on one of those and no out put then should be switch.
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/10 21:45:42
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Thanks Mickos, Will have another crack tomorrow Matt
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RS 2000
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/10 22:45:44
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Matt, if you have no power at the thick yellow wire(B+) at the back of the alternator there is no point checking anything else other than what i said in the first reply. You really need to locate the thick yellow wire (4-5mm thick)that normally connects to the battery positive terminal and make sure it is electrically connected. That yellow wire connects battery to alternator, ignition switch and half of the fusebox, so if it isnt connected to the battery there will not be any power anywhere!!! Hope that makes it clear. Cheers
post edited by RS 2000 - 2012/01/11 09:19:18
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na.charrett
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 08:45:47
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As RS2000 said - check the medium size yellow wire from the +ve side of the battery. There is a fusible link section in this wire close to the battery, that can die with old age or if you tried jumpstarting the car the wrong way round.... If you have absolutely no power anywhere other than the big positive lead that goes to the starter - it is the main loom feed that is almost certainly the problem, and this fusible link is the first thing that goes... (i have even seen some cars with 2 in parallel as lazy autoelects just put a new one in paralell to the old dud one... The fusible link wire should be approx 10-20cm long and the first part of the wire close to the battery. You should see its connection into the normal wire easily enough if you peel back the protective tape... Try that...
Just my 2.2c worth including GST....
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 10:22:22
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Many thanks Guys, I will check today. I have moved the battery tot he boot but know what you guys are getting at. This wires goes into the relay that feeds the starter motor and ignition. So it stands to reason that no power here then nothing would work. Cheers for the help. Matt
post edited by Matt75 - 2012/01/11 10:26:51
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 15:06:52
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I think I have admitted defeat! There is power to the relay that goes to the starter direct from the battery in the boot (thick red wire in the photos) and when I bridge the wires the starter engages so I know there is power getting there but am pretty sure that either the ignition switch / barrel is gone or there is a broken wire or fuse somewhere I can't find. I tested the thick yellow wire going into the switch and there is nothing. Unless the relay from the battery to the starter is broken. It is pretty old and a bit rusted on the outside. See pics. I could replace this and see. Can anyone recomend a good auto elec that does home visits or is anyone close to Doncaster Vic keen for some beers? Cheers Matt
post edited by Matt75 - 2012/01/11 15:13:54
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PaulMk1
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 18:51:59
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I had this issue once - It turned out their is a factory fuseable link that feeds the iginition circuit - this is buried (i.e. taped) into the harness from the starter motor. It should be that red wire in your pictures - but from memory was a thick yellow wire on the MK2 harnesses I have used. Is about 100mm into the starter motor harness in the engine bay. It might be worth a quick look....
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 19:02:28
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RS 2000
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 20:29:31
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Matt, it looks like you have finally found THE yellow wire make sure it is connected to the battery + and you should be away. That wiring looks a mess tho a lot of it is non standard and makes it more complicated than it should be, what is the relay for?? Tear it all out and make it simple as per stock escort wiring, then add extra wiring as required for your application.
You should connect both the big cable from boot and THE yellow to the starter , and piss everything else off. Put 250a fuse on battery and 60a on yellow wire to be perfectly safe. That is what i have on my escort.
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/11 21:41:53
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Hey RS 2000, Thanks for your help. I always had the yellow wire but it is already going to the starter but. I have a red wire that goes direct from the battery to a relay and from there to the starter that I am not sure if it's standard or not. I have a mate who's an auto elec coming over to sort it all out and I'll tel him your sugestion as simpler is always better. Cheers Matt
post edited by Matt75 - 2012/01/11 21:45:08
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Matt75
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Re:Ignition Issues
2012/01/16 21:07:27
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Hi Guys, Got it sorted. RS 2000, Paul MK1 & na.charrett; you guys were correct. The yellow wire in the pictures goes into a fusable wire that had gone due to a short from the alternator wiring grounding on the body. All fixed with a propper blade type fuse in place. Thanks to everyone for their help and patience. Broom, broom. Cheers Matt
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