Dicktator 60-2, 1.8 20v AGN: no spark, help please

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi all

I'm having an issue starting up my car for the first time after swapping the engine, It's the 1.8 20v AGN engine. I have wired it up to a Dicktator 60-2 and I'm getting all the light, yellow flickering but green is constantly on when cranking the engine over (I'm not sure if that's good or not). I'm getting fuel, readouts from the ECU on the software look good, crank sensor reads back 250RPM ballpark when cranking. The main issue at the moment is that the engine is not getting spark at all, I have changed the coil pack and replaced the spark plugs but I'm finding it hard to trace the issue to a specific point. I'd appreciate any help and insight into solving this issue, thanks.

[PapaJo]

What coilpack are you using and what is the 3 triggers set at?

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi PapaJo

Thanks for the reply. I'm using the four on one coilpack commonly found in MK4 Golfs and Polos, not the coil over plug. Sorry I can't add an image even visiting the forum on my phone. I'll check again what the three selected trigger options were when I get the USB to serial connector tomorrow afternoon.

[PapaJo]

Ok, are you using this coil?

SC

[ThoriMoMo]

Yes. I'm using that one

[PapaJo]

Yes. I'm using that one

Did you wire it as per the second picture using ignition 1 and ignition 2 outputs?

Tell us what is the 3 triggers set at on the sensor setup tab and if you have selected wasted spark on the main setup tab in the ignition setup spark mode block.

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi Papajo

I'm still finding hard to add images in a reply. So the details I will provide is per page writing for now.

Main Setup:
Cylinders: 4
Ignition Divide: 2
Rev Limit: 6500, cut spark
Startup Prime: 0,700
Load Sites: Throttle based, enable altitude comp
Spark Mode: Wasted Spark using Home
Dwell Control: Constant Charge
Charge Time: 3,000
Trigger Angle: 45
POT Inactive
Fuel Pump Prime for 2 sec
RPM Sites spacing: 100rpm
9 Load sites per rpm range

Sensor Setup:
Input Trigger: Falling
Home Position: Rising
Spark Trigger: Falling

The coil wiring has been wired properly, and I get voltmeter readings as well from the plug input. I will admit that I am using a coil pack from the 1.4 BLM (working when removed) since the one from the current engine got damage, will this also be a reason why it isn't sparking? The part numbers on both the damaged one and the BLM one are the same so I didn't think nothing of it. Also on the dicktator, both the green and yellow lights are flashing when cranking the engine, previous readings from the first post still apply. The only thing right now that I am definitely not getting is spark. Hope this provides enough information but if more is required I will provide. Thanks.

[PapaJo]

See my comments added:

Main Setup:
Cylinders: 4 —— ok
Ignition Divide: 2 —— ok
Rev Limit: 6500, cut spark —- ok
Startup Prime: 0,700———- change this to a value between 3,500 to 4,100ms
Load Sites: Throttle based, enable altitude comp —- change to MAP
Spark Mode: Wasted Spark using Home —- ok
Dwell Control: Constant Charge —- ok
Charge Time: 3,000 —- ok,2,5 to 3,000 is ok.
Trigger Angle: 45 ——- ok, but could be anything between 43 to 56 depending on your timing map values and how 3 triggers are set. 45 is a good starting point. Get spark first.
POT Inactive —- ok
Fuel Pump Prime for 2 sec —- change it to 5 or 6 seconds.
RPM Sites spacing: 100rpm —- use 750rpm sites
9 Load sites per rpm range —- ok.

Sensor Setup:
Input Trigger: Falling —- default
Home Position: Rising —- default
Spark Trigger: Falling —- default
The picture of the 4 post coil I posted earlier mentioned spark trigger to be set to Rising. This might be your problem, but I cannot confirm that. You have to try and see.

What rpm’s are you observing on Data tab when you crank motor?

[ThoriMoMo]

Alright I'll give that a try over the next hour and see if those changes help. The RPMS i'm observing are between 100-250rpm when cranking.

[ThoriMoMo]

Okay I applied the changes mentioned, still not getting spark. What else could I try?

[PapaJo]

100-250 rpm is a bit low. You should get atleast 250 plus rpm.

Does the amber and green lights flash during cranking?

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi PapaJo

I've been trying to post an update on the forum but there has been an issue with the server connection for some reason. I wanted to say that I did get the engine to turn over. It fires a couple times then dies, I was able to get spark and there is fuel but like I said it fires a couple times then dies. But it turns over nicely though from what I can hear. I'm gonna have to get the battery charged now but I'll take a couple screenshots of the dicktator management setup.

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[PapaJo]

If it does fire up and then dies, check your signal wiring giving you rpm input and ensure there is no open wires or short circuit wires.

[PapaJo]

I’m ysing the coil as shown in the picture with the following trigger settings.

nput Trigger: Falling —- default
Home Position: Rising —- default
Spark Trigger: Falling —- default

If you do not get spark and are 100% sure wiring is correct, the ignition output resistors could be burnt in ecu. Would check that next if there is no spark on sparkplugs.

Did you take the power from the red /yellow wire that powers the injectors and fuel pump?

Coil negative wire, pin 4 connected battery negative terminal?

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi PapaJo

I did find that when I rest the triggers back to default it did spark. As I have mentioned i do get the engine to turn over, it fires a couple of times then dies down but it shows over 800rpm when turning. It's just not maintaining the start so to speak so i will have to double check my actual wiring.

Did you take the power from the red /yellow wire that powers the injectors and fuel pump? Yes if i understand you correctly
Coil negative wire, pin 4 connected battery negative terminal? It's ground to the engine actually, provided similar results to battery negative

[cerealkiller]

trigger angle? timing on dicktator?

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi cerealkiller

The trigger angle is currently at 50 degrees. To which timing on the dicktator are you referring to?

[cerealkiller]

trigger angle a lines the timing of the dicktator put the timing light on cylinder 4 idle timing should roughly be at 8 to 10 degrees both engine and dicktator

[ThoriMoMo]

I don't have a timing light so that might pose a bit of an issue. I'll have to get one month end

[PapaJo]

Trigger angle could be anywhere between 40 to 56 degrees and as mentioned in an earlier post, a good starting point for the trigger angle is 45. It doesn't matter where is trigger angle when you test for spark by adding a sparkplug to the sparkplug leads and earthing the sparkplug on engine to see whether you get spark on sparkplugs. This should be consistent with spark every time you test for spark. If not consistent, you will not get motor to run each time.

Trigger angle comes in to play when you do get spark and turns motor over and when trigger angle is set correctly the motor will get the spark pulse at the correct moment when piston is at TDC.

[ThoriMoMo]

Hi guys

Happy New Year! So I eventually got the car running, the issue turned out to be the coilpack, replaced it with a new one and it's running quite good. It just needs to be dyno tuned, but road tuning got it running quite good but it's currently very thirsty. I do need help with a couple things, connecting up the rev counter signal from the dicktator to the speedo (either directly or through the car's ECU), as well as the water temp. I need to hook these up to the Bosch Motronic ECU (from the 1.4 BLM Polo). Is there an easy way to do this?

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