Dead Ignition

Dead Ignition

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Discussion

White S3

Original Poster:

170 posts

143 months

Thursday 8th July 2021
quotequote all
OK so my starting issues a couple of months ago was the result of broken coil windings in the starter motor - replaced so start(ed) like a dream no flat battery when not used for a few weeks.

Having just filled up at the local petrol station, jumped back in and turned the ignition key having disabled the immobiliser and got approx half a crank cycle on turn over but before engine fired, with ignition key still turned and starter still engaged, all went silent - no electrics to ignition, no fuel pump whirring, no battery light on dash, no cranking, no access to the boot (tools in the boot!). Lights and windows still had power. No point in trying to jump start as no fuel pressure or ignition electrics. Ended up being towed home.

Anyone experienced this before?

Before anyone says "Yellow Connector" I have never found said yellow/black connector in 26 yrs of ownership which has included the dash being removed a couple of times and a body off chassis refurb of outriggers (but not a full resto) - I have looked several times.

Q: Where do I start the fault finding?
Which items might have failed?
Is there an ignition relay hidden somewhere?

Yours
Resigned to the family oil burner

WhiteS3

mentall

469 posts

137 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
Yellow connector!

It should be near the ignition switch, connected to it by short wires.

If not, someone has already removed it.
And maybe replaced it with something worse?

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

116 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
Comes across as the main engine earth failed

v8s4me

7,264 posts

226 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
In addition to the yellow connector, check the fuse and relay before you do anything drastic.

magpies

5,145 posts

189 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
v8s4me said:
In addition to the yellow connector, check the fuse and relay before you do anything drastic.
Systematically trace where you have 12v from the battery: starter motor main connection / ign switch / fuses / relay feeds etc.

phillpot

17,279 posts

190 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
White S3 said:
Q: Where do I start the fault finding?
Sounds like things that are permanently live are still working, windows, sidelights etc?

But you've lost everything that should be live with ignition on? Classic symptoms of the infamous "yellow connector" but as you don't have one it could perhaps be the switch itself or whatever someone has used to replace said connector?

Yellow connector would normally be within about 3" of where the wires are soldered to the back of the ignition switch.




Edited by phillpot on Friday 9th July 13:20

v8s4me

7,264 posts

226 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
This is a pretty crap photo I'm afraid but the arrow shows the coil/tacho fuse.....


This is my V8S fuse box but the Heath book says the S3 is the same.

White S3

Original Poster:

170 posts

143 months

Friday 9th July 2021
quotequote all
Hi all, thanks for your numerous suggestions. Could have been the Yellow connector, should have been the Yellow connector but my car doesn’t have one and I didn’t replace it in the 26 years of ownership - I say could have been as it was exactly the same issue in reality. Live wire soldered to ignition barrel corroded through and snapped with evidence of arcing. Re-soldered and back making noise.

Now to sort the speedo before I get nicked

phillpot

17,279 posts

190 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all


Reckon I was near enough wink

Edited by phillpot on Saturday 10th July 09:39

mentall

469 posts

137 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all
mentall said:
And maybe replaced it with something worse?
Me too!

White S3

Original Poster:

170 posts

143 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all
Fair call chaps.

magpies

5,145 posts

189 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all
magpies said:
Systematically trace where you have 12v from the battery: starter motor main connection / ign switch / fuses / relay feeds etc.
I wasn't far off either biggrinsmash

v8s4me

7,264 posts

226 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all
As usual on our cars, an easy fix once the problem is found.
Now's the time to work out where the fuse is and which relays are which on the board/loom and carry spares so that if/when you have another mysterious no-start issue you can rule these out straight away.

Edited by v8s4me on Saturday 10th July 21:42

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

116 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
quotequote all
Great news