Hello-  
A sudden loss of ignition spark could be (loose or broken wires to coil, etc) A.- the coil  B. the Hall control unit( a square component attached to a aluminum heat sink above the ECU . C the hall sender ( in the distributor, under the trigger wheel).

The Hall control gets hot , thus the need for the heat sink. I have seen these go bad -and replacement is easy.
Check that first power is getting to the coil number 15 terminal when the key is turned.  
Check the coil for leaking oil- if it's leaking,it's fried.

Since the car is broke down, and you may not have time for troubleshooting- bring a coil, Hall control ( any model  will work), a hall generator( or a whole distributor) and a ECU if you have these.

There are Voltmeter tests you can run also. The Haynes VW Rabbit 1975-1992 Golf,Jetta,Scirocco, and pick up repair manual covers this engine- system is called CIS-E.

Robert
1982 Westfalia

----- Original Message -----
Wrom: JGDGVCJVTLBXFG
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2002 5:20 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Help!! in big trouble with Jetta GLi ignition system

Hi group!

This may not be specifically Vanagon related but I know some people have
fitted GTi Golf engines or GLi Jetta engines to their vans.
My son broke down halfway from home to college after spring break and he has
no sparks.    His car is an '86 GLi with the 1.8 l engine and has the knock
sensor system on the distributor instead of advance/retard mechanisms.
I have not yet found any documentation on how to trouble shoot it.    I have
never seen such a complicated ignition system before.
Are there any experts on the list that could shoot me some pointers or send
me some pages from a Bentley manual on this ?
So far I have substituted the distributor, coil , ignition module to no
avail, but I have just discovered the knock sensor module/computer.
What are the chances this is what has gone bad and how can I test it?

The car is about 2 1/2 hours drive from home, in Savannah, Ga

Thanks for any help you can offer,
Steve Cotsford
84 Wolfsburg WestyGet more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com