[urq] ** SOS - Stranded!! ** Ignition Problem?

[Ingo Rautenberg]

Ok, then.  Try unplugging and plugging back together the crank and ignition
sensor plugs just behind the engine -- also check the hall ender plug  on
the distributor.  Sometimes these can get dirty and cause funny things to
happen.  I never had the ignition module go bad on either the '83 or the '84
Urq, though I did replace the coil once on the '84 (though I don't ecall now
if that solved my problem at the time or not). I may even have a spare --
it's an MSD unit.

On Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 12:02 AM, <racingiron at comcast.net> wrote:

> I thought about the boost leak, but I've had a bunch of those in the past
> and I got a real bad whistle, and it seemed to run worse under high boost,
> and relatively OK at part throttle--kinda opposite of this problem.  I also
> tried removing the dipstick and got the expected stumble.  I'll definitely
> check the hoses tomorrow though.
>
> The pump is indeed relayed under the seat.  It doesn't really feel like a
> fuel cutout because it comes and goes quickly, and seems worst when under
> lower demand.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming!
>
>
> Eric R.
> '86 urq
> '92 urS
> '93 urS
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ingo Rautenberg" <ingo.rautenberg at gmail.com>
> To: racingiron at comcast.net
> Cc: urq at audifans.com
> Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:42:19 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [urq] ** SOS - Stranded!! ** Ignition Problem?
>
> Eric,
>
> Could be, but I'd look at the more obvious -- vacuum leak or tear in the
> intake/boost hoses.  If the tear gets big enough, it'll mess up your fueling
> enough to give you those same symptoms.  I take it you checked the wiring
> connections at the fuel pump and have it relayed?
>
> HTH
>
> On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 11:34 PM, <racingiron at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> So, I'm on my way to Mid-Ohio, enjoying the cooler weather and the urq...
>> The problem started as a very occasional and brief cut of power while under
>> partial boost (5-10 psi). It was just like a quick hiccup, then everything
>> was fine again. Then it progressively got more frequent and pronounced. It
>> would idle OK and seemed to smooth out under full boost, but part throttle
>> on or off boost was bucking wildly. For a time I could downshift to 4th and
>> run about 4200 rpm with fewer troubles, but even that eventually got bad. It
>> got to the point that full boost wouldn't even work right, and idle would
>> sometimes be bad, even stalled a few times.
>>
>> Here's all the stuff that didn't fix it:
>> - Parked for about an hour while I had dinner--problem returned almost
>> immediately after restart.
>> - Pulled cap, it and rotor look fine, as do wires. Haven't checked the
>> plugs yet.
>> - Unplugged O2, still bucked but there seemed to be more unburnt fuel,
>> lots of backfire pops accompanied by smoke.
>> - It hasn't had any starting issues all day.
>> It got so bad that it was undrivable on the interstate. I parked it and
>> have continued on (luckily, the fair Elizabeth was following in her Mini).
>>
>> So, it doesn't seem isolated to a cylinder, so I'm thinking the coil's
>> dying, or maybe the ignition module? Am I overlooking anything? Any BTDT or
>> advice for me?
>>
>> What are my chances of scoring a coil on a holiday weekend? Is this coil
>> shared with other I5s or is it special to the urq?
>>
>> I'm headed for the hotel right now and will return tomorrow morning to see
>> what can be done.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Eric R.
>> '86 urq
>> '92 urS
>> '93 urS
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>