more clues on 16v conversion electrical problem - help!

["Dave Novak" <toastworks@hotmail.com>]

Ok, the other day, I kinda realized that the problem with my car wasn't 
something hooked up wrong in the swap, but something wrong with the car's 
electrical system.

It's a model year 1981, produced in 8/80. It had an O2 sensor and matching 
computer with the 1.7 before the swap. I put in a 1.8 16v PL engine and 
matching computers/electronics from a 1989 Jetta GLI (made after prod. 
number 400,000).

My bentley shows no O2 sensor, or computer in the diagrams for a 1980-1981 
Scirocco (sold outside of California, and with fuel injection). This screws 
with my world. I can't follow the diagrams cause it's incorrect.

I also have diagrams in the same book for a Jetta, Rabbit, Rabbit pickup, 
and rabbit convertibles for 1980-1982 years.

The actual Scirocco diagram looks old (older style) compred to the same year 
Jetta. The Jetta's diagram does have wiring for the o2 sensor, etc.. Should 
I just use the Jetta's diagram? Is it that radically different?

Or, does anyone have any correct diagrams they can photocopy and mail to me? 
I'd of course reimburse for any troubles. I'm just peeved that the diagrams 
are incorrect. Perhaps I have an old edition. ahh who knows?

Hope I'm not getting annoying with this damn problem. It's annoying me for 
sure.

The problem: Won't get any spark while cranking engine. All components 
working correctly. All wiring from the swap wired in correctly.

Ok, what I discovered the other day...

I snuck down upside down underneath the dash, and started looking around and 
feeling the wire looms. As I pressed the one of the main looms (containing 
the wires that go to the ignition switch, etc), the whole ignition system 
died. When I let go, it came alive again. Something's loose. Perhaps a wire 
broke inside the insulation. Who knows? There's a hundred wires under there, 
and I don't know where to start...and without a correct Bentley, I really 
don't know where to start.

So, I pressed one too many times, and the system wouldn't click back on. So, 
it's dead now.

I know grounds are flaky in these old VW's, but I don't even know where to 
start. I couldn't narrow it down to where it was occuring. I got it down to 
somewhere right above the steering column, and somewhere right below the 
insrument cluster. Anywhere in between those points would yield that 
clicking on and off symptom.

I assume I was getting a spark at the plug at one point, cause I would 
attempt a start of the car, when it wouldn't start, I'd wiggle the wires, 
and try the start again. After starting, and before turning the key back off 
to try again... while the system was clicking on and off, the engine would 
burp. Spit, kick. Spark. It was turning due to a spark.. I assume gas was 
igniting somewhere.

This sucks.

I just wanna drive it at this point. Shit.

Thanks again very much for any and all help. I'll get you all back one day 
when I'm rich and famous.

-Dave
'81 Scirocco 16v (it wants to work! it really does!)

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

--
Email problems to: scirocco-l-probs@scirocco.org  To unsubscibe send
"unsubscribe scirocco-l" in the message to majordomo@scirocco.org