Hi Smalley,
Thanks for all of your advice thus far.
OK,
I retried the test this morning and it was a little more cooperative - ie hard-starting.
With an inductive timing light on the coil wire, I cranked it and it had trouble starting but the coil was definitely firing. It's
possible that it was firing weakly and/or missing part of the time as after it started, the light was more continuous and brighter.
I was hoping for a definite aha moment where I could say "aha, see, the coil isn't firing then suddenly kicks in and it starts: but no such luck.
So if you, or old-master, or anyone has any ideas of what else I can check, I would be Soooooo appreciative. Or if you think I should shot-gun it and try replacing the the ignition module?
Thanks again - I'm completely puzzled. I'd think I'd at least get an engine code that might give us a hint....
clueless
