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Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 10:00 am
by Mhes
The ignition was left on for about 15 minutes on my 1985 340 Hatchback. Having been running fine, there now appears to be no spark and not even a splutter of life on turn over. Do you think it will be a damaged Renix ignition unit or can the TDC sensor plug/cable be effected? Any other suspects as a result of the ignition being left on? Many thanks in advance.

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 10:58 am
by bogbasic
Hello, before you do anything drastic, limber into the drivers footwell and wiggle the connections on the back of the fuse box. This may simply fix it. It's a good idea to remove the fuse box and clean the connections in the long term. There's always one pin that goes dodgy: https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k163 ... jfxzu9.jpg

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 12:22 pm
by Mhes
Thanks Bogbasic. I have had a quick look and no luck but will take the fuse box out and clean everything.

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 12:54 pm
by bogbasic
Battery connections ;-? Earth ;-? Battery dead ;-?

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 01:21 pm
by Mhes
Battery fine and it turns over ok.

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 02:09 pm
by bogbasic
Ok, so if it turns over then the fuse box connections are fine, so forget that one. If that one goes, everything is dead. Wiggle connections on renix. Test if there is there deffo no spark ;-? Is the dizzy cap and rotor arm clean? Deffo clean the flywheel sensor head if still probs. If it turns over but won't start, it could fuel, or lack thereof, so need to deffo check if there's a spark or not, taking care it doesn't earth through you *{°¿°}*

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 03:28 pm
by Mhes
Definitely no spark.... :( Could the TDC sensor have been damaged by leaving the ignition on?
(Thanks for your help in this, much appreciated)

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 09:15 pm
by bogbasic
Leaving ignition on should not really damage anything.

Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 10:21 pm
by bogbasic
Just crossed my mind: is the engine earth strap making good contact at both ends ;-? Probably is if the starter is turning over (duh)! Just remembered there is a little metal tab on top of the renix and I think you can wire this to a meter or test light even to see if the renix is out-putting a pulse as you turn over. I guess there may be still no spark, but at least then it is probably only the coil which you can still buy new. I guess first thing to check with the renix is if the copper contacts with the coil are all clean. What state is the inside of the dizzy cap, rotor arm and HT leads?