Lude Generation

hi guys new to the forum, have a 92 lude that i got for free as it would only start now and again.
Engine will crank over but there is no spark, so went and got a new dizzy cap and rotor.
Took the old dizzy cap off and was met with this

Any suggestions to what may have caused this?

Hi mate. Welcome to the club.

Is that copper dust?

not sure what kind of dust it is but this is what the rest of distributor looked like

Kind of looks like there's copper slip there, but probably just the dust created from wear of the rotor arm and connection points. Doubt it's anything to worry about, being you have a replacement.

Have you tried fitting the replacement dizzy yet?

I'm no expert but have you checked the ignition coil if your still getting no spark with the cap and rotor changed? Also if the coil isnt getting a spark you could check the main relay (under the dash I think)

have fitted the new cap and rotor, whats best way to check coil?

A general check for corrision of the connectors, check that the wires are not damaged and then I think the process is to take out one of the spark plugs hold it against the engine block and see if there is a spark at the plug. Like I said I'm no expert so probably best to wait for one of the others to comment

Riley I found this online, which might help you out with diagnostics

http://www.quickcashauto.com/How-To-Art ... Coils.html

Looks like you've had water in there

riley wrote:have fitted the new cap and rotor, whats best way to check coil?

Sorry mate, I read it as you'd got a whole new distributor, not just a cap and rotor. Yeah, it could be the coil, as it's built into the dizzy itself. Let us know if you're getting a spark with the new cap and rotor.

As David also said, it could be the mains relay (They're a common fault on Preludes as they heat up and cool so often that the solder points eventually crack. Simple to fix, but one thing to try at a time )