help,problem with spark on mfi xr3i escort
31-03-2010, 08:35 AM
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help,problem with spark on mfi xr3i escort
my dads xr3i died at the traffic lights the other nite.off i went to the rescue as usual,and car has no spark.
when turning car over there is no spark but just as u let go of the key after trying to start it ,a small spark ignites??
im baffled,ive had a couple of mates have a look and they cant solve it,ive replaced the coil and distributor and still same problem.
it needs fixing asap as its his daily driver for work.anyone had a similar problem before of any ideas?
any help is appreciated
car is mfi xr3i not efi xr3i.
cheers
when turning car over there is no spark but just as u let go of the key after trying to start it ,a small spark ignites??
im baffled,ive had a couple of mates have a look and they cant solve it,ive replaced the coil and distributor and still same problem.
it needs fixing asap as its his daily driver for work.anyone had a similar problem before of any ideas?
any help is appreciated
car is mfi xr3i not efi xr3i.
cheers
31-03-2010, 08:56 AM
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Hes probably better of swapping it for my mk5 3i. as it got alarm or immobiliser. if not. Put a volt meter, to the black wire on the distributor 3 pin connector, see if you have got a live feed going to the dizzy. if you haven't that wire could have a break somewhere. I will try and have a look at the wiring diagram this week, I'm sure theirs a engine module behind the dash, check to see if that as got a live feed going in, I have to double check that not sure if I'm correct, i remember going behind the dash on 1 of mine, but could of been the immobiliser.
31-03-2010, 09:01 AM
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Hi Rick sorry to hear about your problem with the xr3,sounds like a high ristance (broken wire or corroded)check all connections on lt back to ecu,if not poss need to find a ecu (may b from a donor car b4 buying one) as there could be a dry solder joint some where,can you help me i am new to this site,i am a mechanic (4 yrs in ford main dealer)and hgv qualified and served,i am currently working on a mr 5 fiesta and want to post a question (thread) for my problem i have but can only see how to send a private message thanks good luck Kev
31-03-2010, 03:37 PM
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it doesnt have an ecu as it is mfi xr3i,yeah i will try that wire mark when im next around there..its got to be a break in a wire of some sort. as i tried a different dizzy and coil.
31-03-2010, 03:59 PM
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Their is a module behind the dash, think its yellow with about 11 15 pins, not sure what it is. worth finding out. you would never see it unless you take dash out, it sits roughly behind the centre air vents. tucked right up their.
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31-03-2010, 04:41 PM
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This problem sounds exactly like the ignition amplifier on the dizzy has failed, which was a common problem back in the day. Its a black box with a three pin plug bolted on the side of the dizzy, - and it essentially fires the coil. With that out of action the ignition won't fire. Are you sure it was working on the other dizzy you tried.
The spark is firing when you turn off the ignition as you are essentially collapsing the coil manually by taking the power off it.
Replace that module and there is a good chance it will solve the problem.
BTW - there is also a supressor arrangement in the passenger strut top/inner wing that can sometimes fail. If memory serves its a little grey box with a red and green wire going in. You could test that by bypassing it...
Last edited by MarkN; 31-03-2010 at 04:50 PM.
31-03-2010, 04:53 PM
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the spare dizzy i used came off a xr3i that was stripped 6 months ago.and that ran fine. if i can find another dizzy i suppose its worth a try. ive got a feeling its more likely a broken wire tho as the dizzy i tried and coil i tried defintely did work not long ago.
31-03-2010, 05:09 PM
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That make sense - the coil will spark when it is charged and you take the power off it. Thats what the amplifier does.
When you turn off the key you are also taking the power off it. This will always cause a spark to be fired. Hence the coil must be holding a charge.
You problem is definitely related to the amplifier on the dizzy - or the wiring to the three pin plug that connects to it. I think one of the wires is a +ve when the ignition is on, and another is an earth. I can't remember what the third is without looking it up.
When you turn off the key you are also taking the power off it. This will always cause a spark to be fired. Hence the coil must be holding a charge.
You problem is definitely related to the amplifier on the dizzy - or the wiring to the three pin plug that connects to it. I think one of the wires is a +ve when the ignition is on, and another is an earth. I can't remember what the third is without looking it up.
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