Date:         Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:03:27 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      NVC (but VW) '95 Cabrio intermittent no start - no spark
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I've posted this, (or similar) on VW Vortex, but received limited
response.  Situation has been around for about 2 years; gradually
getting worse, but still fairly infrequent (maybe once a week, though
sometimes a few times in a day).

Stop car to run into store, etc.  Come out, cranks, no start.  Walk
away for a while and might start; might not.  Sometimes no start in
morning, but usually when restarting after driving.  Does not,
however, seem to be temperaturre dependant.

Battery (relatively new) at 12.7V.  When cranking, drops to around
11.2, so should be more than sufficient for ignition.  When it starts,
it fires up instantly.  Runs well, good power and good fuel economy
(30+ mpg).  Has not failed when driving; just no start.

I believe this is a key bit of information.  I have connected it to a
battery charger - no change, UNLESS I set the charger to "Start" (60
amps) at which setting I get instant joy.  I have checked grounds
(probably not all of them) and replaced the (I believe it is called)
ignition module (apparently a coil).  I'm kinda suspecting a weak
contact within the ECU, though we looked at the CB and saw nothing
obvious.

Stephanie is ready to shoot either me or the car, since it has
stranded her a couple times at lunch so that she has had to walk back
to the office!

1995 Cabrio, all stock, 115K miles; 2.0L engine; Standard tranny; AC;
generally good condition.

Thanks for reading this far,

Karl Wolz
Phoenix, AZ