Freelander 1.8L V early model not starting

Nodge68 said:

Yes but I'd be testing it before replacing it.

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How?

Agree with nodge! But yes, that should work, although this seems to be a pattern part rather than OEM.

How old are the HT cables?

octet said:

How?

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Very easy to test. Just pull the coil lead out of the cap. Find a screwdriver that fits into the brass contact without damaging it. The rest the metal part of the screwdriver near to a nearby engine bolt or casting. It wants to be about 10mm away from the bolt or whatever, to form a spark gap. Then stand well clear and crank the engine, while watching for a spark. If the coil is working, there will be a big spark. If the spark looks like it's struggling to jump 10mm, the coil is at fault.

What is this supposed to be?



goes here:

The HT cables are about 2 months old

rob_bell said:

How old are the HT cables?

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octet said:

What is this supposed to be?

goes here:

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That's the idle air bypass valve. It controls the engine idle speed.

Looks a bit knackered, doesn't it?

Nearly new HT cables may still be suspect if they came from eBay (or cheaply from any other source). I bought some years ago, and never again will I make the same mistake.

On my MGs I now use good quality Magnecor items - which are warrantied for 10 years. Unsurprisingly, I've never had a problem with them! I am tempted to do the same for my Hippo...

octet said:

Looks a bit knackered, doesn't it?

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Always hard to tell on visual inspection - it's the internals that fail.

Right, will try doing a video now

No spark at all, I'm going to order a new one...

Bingo - fingers crossed this will sort it

It's being delivered tomorrow, I'll keep you guys updated, thanks a lot for your help!

More bad news

The coil arrived today, fitted on the car, no difference, video below.

Before I'm going mad, can any please clarify how the numbering works on this distributor as it doesn't have any numbers on it.
Eg.
Top Left = ?
Top Right = ?
Bottom Left = ?
Bottom Right = ?

On the engine, the firing order is 1,3,4,2 am I correct?

Thanks guys!

Have you checked if your getting a spark from the coil? I think someone earlier suggested using a screwdriver to check for a spark from the lead which goes from the coil to the centre of the dizzy cap. If your getting no spark there then it doesn't matter what way the other leads are fitted, it won't go.
Also have you checked all the earths? I had a similar fault donkeys years ago and it was the engine earth.
Also have you checked the low voltage wiring to the coil?

Looking at the cap from the battery /passengers side
Number 1 is top right (2 o'clock )
Number 3 is bottom right (5 o'clock )
Number 4 is bottom left (8 oclock)
Number 2 is top left (10 o'clock )

Hold on, something is wrong, no spark from the coil! Just got dark, will have to investigate again in the morning.

deangermouse said:

Looking at the cap from the battery /passengers side
Number 1 is top right (2 o'clock )
Number 3 is bottom right (5 o'clock )
Number 4 is bottom left (8 oclock)
Number 2 is top left (10 o'clock )

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So it would be like this, right?

No sorry mental block.
1 is at top left
2 is top right
3 is bottom left
4 is bottom right
I was thinking mirror image, not enough coffee