Date:         Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:19:27 -0400
Reply-To:     Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Subject:      No start, no spark
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

So today is my birthday (54!) and my van, 1986 GL 4-speed, surprised me with it's first ever no start this morning. Has just about always run fine with no hint of impending trouble. A quick check under "the hood" revealed that I have no spark (pulled coil wire at dizzy to check...nothing). I do hear the fuel pump charge though, and the starter turns the engine just fine.

My question: Could the ignition switch be the problem? I've had two brief incidents in the last month where the van stopped dead while backing out of a parking space. Just jiggling he key brought it right back to life. I also recall about a week ago when the van would not start. I turned the key and cranked it for about 15 seconds. Turned the key off...back on...cranked...then it started. I'm sure I'll need to replace the switch, but could this be related to my no-spark issue. 

I don't have time until tomorrow evening to troubleshoot due to birthday plans. As such I thought I'd order a new switch to get started.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Mark K
1986 GL/2WD/4SPD
1990 Carat/2WD/Auto