Car Stopped workin' Options

[leedo_lanes]

Hey Guys, I am new to the post and am learning as much as possible about my new 914. (1975 1.8). The car drives great until yesterday. Suddenly, with no prior symptoms, the car just won't start. I turn the key, hear the fuel pump activate (I believe) but nothing. I tried to push start it (Dump the clutch) and still nothing. Do you guys have any suggestions for me? I thought it was strange since the car never displayed any of this before...

[r_towle]

Hi,
Do you have spark?
Do you have 12 volts at the coil with the key in the run position?

I could come take a look if you need. I am about 15 min from Leda Lanes.

Rich

[leedo_lanes]

I haven't checked the coil...should that be my next step? I was baffled by this since it just sort of happened. I am used to old American cars.

Near Leda Lanes huh...I am in Manchester. Do you have a maroon 2.0??

Thanks,
Mark

[mike_the_man]

An engine is an engine. If you can work on American, you can work on German. Make sure you have spark. It almost sounds like a wire may have fallen off the coil. This happened to my friends 1.8L. Have a look around the engine bay and see if you can ind any loose wires. Is your car fuel injected?

Oh, and (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/welcome.png)

[r_towle]

Hi,

So, with your car.

Check that all the wires are on the coil.
Turn key to on/run position.
Check positive side of the coil to see if you have 12 volts, use a volt meter or a test light.

If you have 12 volts at the coil, you could have either a bad ignition switch, dirty ground wires to the chassis, or a bad starter.

There is a ground wire from the battery to the chassis, remove and clean it.
There is a ground strap from the top rear of the tranny to the underside of the trunk floor...remove and clean it.

Hot wire your starter to test it and make sure its ok...

If your starter checks out ok, and you have all the grounds clean...you can test the ignition switch...
There is a yellow wire that comes from the ignition switch to the starter...that wire only shows 12 volts in the start position...
Its the only large yellow wire running from the front to the back, so pull up some carpet near the shifter and look in the wiring loom for it...

I use a sewing pin, shove it right through the wire...then touch your volt meter to that and ground...turn the key to start...you should see 12 volts in the start position...
If not you need to get a new ignition switch...pretty common problem, once you take it out you will see why..
They are cheap, 12 bucks.
Could be the starter though....check it before you go for the switch..

Rich
PS, I have a red 72 and my son has a Aubergine 74..no maroon ones here.

[leedo_lanes]

Thanks guys,

I will try this. The car is fuel injected. As for my confusion with it, I am still figuring out what is what on the engine. I never had an air cooled flat 4...By far the coolest car I have ever driven!

[r_towle]

if you get stuck. i can come get it going for you.
rich

[leedo_lanes]

Thanks so much guys...Got the car running! It was indeed the coil (First I had to find the coil) but sure enough it was just a loose wire. Man I love driving that thing!! Thanks again