Hi all. Got a 1992 fox with a 1L carb motor for free a couple of years ago with a blown head. Got that welded up and rebuilt the motor and it's been going silky smooth ever since today.... Was going along and it just quit like I turned the key off. Did some fault finding and have power going to the big multi plug that goes to the coil, but no spark at all. Fuses under the bonnet on the passenger side are all good. What things can I check next? used to good old points so a bit lost on this one. Is the coil a common issue? I read something about a hall sensor but don't know if that's for the injection model only? Thanks in advance!!

Check the earth on the coil isnt corroded. the coil is a common failure, make sure the washer hose above it is all together tightly

 

Doesnt hurt to take it off and clean it up, get the corrosion off the back of it too.

 

Mk4 ones are more availible when replacing but you can still get the right one. 

If there's a cable with a three way connector plugged into distributor, it has a Hall sensor (on carb models too).

 

If broken that would cause no sparks symptom. Sometimes they fail when hot and will restart once cooled.

You can replace the sensor (awkward) or the whole distributor.

 

If there's a cable with a three way connector plugged into distributor, it has a Hall sensor (on carb models too).

 

If broken that would cause no sparks symptom. Sometimes they fail when hot and will restart once cooled.

You can replace the sensor (awkward) or the distributor.

 

Cheers for the tips! I'll go see if it's got the sensor. And make sure the ground is solid! I think there is 6 pins on the coil so I'm pretty sure it has the hall sensor.

So. Just went and had a look. There is continuity from the sensor to the coil on the 3 wires. And on the coil the fat brown wire and the one next to it from the sensor both seem like good grounds. How can I test the sensor in the dizzy? Cheers!!

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Have you attempted to start the engine again?  The normal 'clue' to a faulty Hall sender, is the fact that, after the car has stopped as you describe, it will start again after it has stood for a while.

As said above, it IS possible to change the Hall sender, BUT is a very fiddly operation and it is far easier to fit a complete distributor.

 

As you say that it has a carburettor rather than injection, are you sure that petrol is reaching the carburettor?

 

Let us know if you are still having problems, and we will try and point you in the right direction.

 

Regards

Haynes Polo manual 1982-1990 supplement (chapter12?).

 

From memory, middle pin at distributor is signal. Outer are earth and +ve and plug shows which. If remove distributor cap and a plastic shield you can see the crown which rotates as engine turns. The transition from space to mark in the crown inside obscures a magnet so signal drops (from 2v to 0v) and rises at mark to space again if all is well. 

You can turn engine with socket on crank pulley (clockwise) but observing the distributor while doing that requires a spare octopus.

So you can get it near a transition point bit by bit, then switch to rotating the distributor.

Carefully mark the distributor to mount position before loosening it (2x 10mm bolts)..

 

 

There is no spark when testing with another spark pressed against the head so it's not a fuel issue and can see fuel shoot into carb when I pump the pedal.. I'll get a copy of the Haynes and see how to diagnose the sensor. I'm hoping it's the coil TBH as a lot easier to change.

You can test the coil has not shorted or fused using ohms range of multi-meter.

 

Centre terminal to primary winding will be 3ohms (ish), centre terminal to secondary 5 to 10 kilohms (ish).

If either is zero or infinity ohms, then coil is faulty. 

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Please put up a picture, a bird's eye view, of the engine compartment.

Just to close this one off lads... I did all the testing mentioned here and in the Haynes and it was 100% the coil... Local motor factors had one in stock, a heavy duty version whatever that means, and it fired right up!! All fixed for 50euro well happy! 

 

This new cool looks a lot beefier than the old one and I think it's ally so should run cooler. Happy days! Thanks to all the help!