Not Starting - Missing Voltage At Ignition Pulse Sensor.

[BobNandra]

Been having intermittent starting problems with my Seat Alhambra. 2.0 Ltr Petrol 4cyl Alhambra. Now it won't start at all.

 

I have always had a better response and answers from this site than other SEAT Specific sites therefore have come for help here again. So here goes.

 

I have done the following;

- Replaced the Coil with New one. Still faulty. (This car has one coil feeding the Distributor unlike the Ford which has two).

- There is 12V at the primary connector of the coil.  The coil checks out OK.

- Checked for voltage at the connector which goes into the IPS (Ignition Pulse Sensor), which is housed inside the distributor. There is no voltage here !! The IPS unit itself is OK.

 

After struggling for two days and by chance, checking the IPS connector again, there was suddenly 12V. I connected it and the car started !! Only two times, then failed again. Voltage is missing again.  I do note on the DMM (Digital Multi Meter), after a successful start and then NO start, the IPS connector has a decaying voltage from about 0.25v down to 0.00 which indicates where ever the IPS connector is connected, it is a solid connection and is slowly discharging, probably a capacitor or other device.

 

- Does anyone know where the IPS connector wiring comes from?

- I can't see the ECU anywhere, does anyone know where it is in this car assuming the IPS wiring comes from the ECU?

- Anyone have any ideas? Suggestions ? Where to look next ?

 

I don't have a Diagnostic Tool and don't know how useful it would be in this situation.  I have order a Service CD which I am hoping will have wiring diagrams. My Ford Haynes manual is too Ford Specific in respect of wiring diagrams and varies wildly. There is no Haynes Manual for my Alhambra..

 

Any help greatly appreciated..

 

Many Thanks - Bob.

 

[BobNandra]

FYI: the car turns over OK, just does not fire up. Checked Relay 30 works OK.

[BobNandra]

No Suggestions anyone ??!!! Not to worry, Problem Sorted. Although Relay no. 30 was powering up, it was in fact faulty. the usual Dry joints. I opened up the relay and resoldered all the connections. Problem sorted. However, a new Relay cost

[seatkid]

Well done on fixing it, and thanks for the feedback. I think the fact you mentioned you checked relay 30 was OK in your 2nd post probably stopped people stating...  "its probably relay 30"......which in the end.... it was!.... :blush:

[BrianH]

Well done on fixing it, and thanks for the feedback. I think the fact you mentioned you checked relay 30 was OK in your 2nd post probably stopped people stating...  "its probably relay 30"......which in the end.... it was!.... :blush:

 

That and that its an Alhambra which few of us have probably didn't help. Useful to know none the less. I did drive mine 160 miles back having originally brought it as spares/repair for the intermittent non-starting issue. Didn't see it at all till 3 days after having the car and having just taken it to fill up with fuel. Only managed to find the problem via this forum which helped make a lot of sense of the various issues I've had with it over time!