Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

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Mhes
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Joined: 03 Mar 2020 03:40 pm

Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Post by Mhes » 04 Mar 2020 10:00 am

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.

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

Post by bogbasic » 04 Mar 2020 10:58 am

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
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Mhes
Posts: 4
Joined: 03 Mar 2020 03:40 pm

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

Post by Mhes » 04 Mar 2020 12:22 pm

Thanks Bogbasic. I have had a quick look and no luck but will take the fuse box out and clean everything.

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Post by bogbasic » 04 Mar 2020 12:54 pm

Battery connections ;-? Earth ;-? Battery dead ;-?
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Mhes
Posts: 4
Joined: 03 Mar 2020 03:40 pm

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

Post by Mhes » 04 Mar 2020 01:21 pm

Battery fine and it turns over ok.

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Post by bogbasic » 04 Mar 2020 02:09 pm

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 *{°¿°}*
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Mhes
Posts: 4
Joined: 03 Mar 2020 03:40 pm

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

Post by Mhes » 04 Mar 2020 03:28 pm

Definitely no spark.... :( Could the TDC sensor have been damaged by leaving the ignition on?
(Thanks for your help in this, much appreciated)

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: Ignition left on - what could be the damage?

Post by bogbasic » 04 Mar 2020 09:15 pm

Leaving ignition on should not really damage anything.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

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

Post by bogbasic » 04 Mar 2020 10:21 pm

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?
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

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