DME problems?

My '84 Carrera 3.2 has started instantly for the two years I've had it...until a few days ago. Then it intermittently would require lengthy cranking, fire off and run fine--sometimes. No pattern--it would do this, then start fine repeatedly, then the problem would occur again. Now it's failed in my driveway (fortunately). No spark at all. I've cleaned contacts, replaced the 3 fuses on the left side of the engine compartment (under the cover). Cap & rotor look bad, and I've sandpapered them; will get replacements, but I don't think this is what's going on, as car ran even & strong when it ran, just had this starting problem. Tell me what I'm missing--Please! Otherwise, I'll probably end up admitting defeat and towing it in to a mechanic, wallet in hand (ouch!) Ignition switch? Motronic brain? Just cap & rotor? One wrinkle: rotor was so frozen onto the shaft that when I pulled it off, centrifugal advance stuff came with it. Once off the car, I got it removed, reinstalled shaft, rehooked spring returns on centrifugal advance weights. But problem existed prior to this fiasco. Ideas?l

I had a similar problem with my 1984 Carrera.
The car was not getting spark or fuel, and would
just crank over without starting. The problem
turned out to be in the factory alarm system.
Once this was unplugged, the problem was resolved.
The alarm brain is located in the dash, above the
radio. Give this a try and see if it helps.

I had a similar problem with my 1984 Carrera.
The car was not getting spark or fuel, and would
just crank over without starting. The problem
turned out to be in the factory alarm system.
Once this was unplugged, the problem was resolved.
The alarm brain is located in the dash, above the
radio. Give this a try and see if it helps.

I had a similar problem with my 1984 Carrera.
The car was not getting spark or fuel, and would
just crank over without starting. The problem
turned out to be in the factory alarm system.
Once this was unplugged, the problem was resolved.
The alarm brain is located in the dash, above the
radio. Give this a try and see if it helps.

I had a similar problem with my 1984 Carrera.
The car was not getting spark or fuel, and would
just crank over without starting. The problem
turned out to be in the factory alarm system.
Once this was unplugged, the problem was resolved.
The alarm brain is located in the dash, above the
radio. Give this a try and see if it helps.

I had a similar problem with my 1984 Carrera.
The car was not getting spark or fuel, and would
just crank over without starting. The problem
turned out to be in the factory alarm system.
Once this was unplugged, the problem was resolved.
The alarm brain is located in the dash, above the
radio. Give this a try and see if it helps.

Thanks, DD Precision.
I can see (from the keyhole in the door) that it once had a factory alarm, but had assumed that it had malfunctioned and been removed. I will look for the control unit you described, and let you know if this works. RandyW

DD Precision,
Well,I stood on my head and checked all around the radio, and there's nothing even remotely like a "brain" for an alarm in the dash above my radio. Either it's located differently on mine, or been removed already. How big a box am I looking for, and can you describe how you reached it? I only have a little over an inch (2" tops) over the top of my radio to the top of the cavity.
Anybody else have suggestions for me?

D.D.Precision,

I had a similar problem with my 87 Carerra a few years ago. My problem was that the engine would start to miss badly and then recover after a minute or so. It seemed like fuel starvation. What it ended up to be was the magnetic sensor for the ignition associated with the pickup on the flyweheel. In essence, it is the same as points were on an older car. When the problem was diagnosed, it was only after the car had died completely. Intermittent problems, especially electrical gremlins generally have to break completely before they can be found. Sounds like you're at that stage. I beleive the pickup can be tested while still in the car. You might want to try cranking the engine (if you haven't already done so) while grounding the coil wire to see if spark or lack thereof is your problem. Good luck!

still in the car

My reply should have been to Randy W. Sorry, I got the posts mixed up