Intermittent Spark Issue

[minigts]

Ok I upgraded to the newer style coil that mounts by the t-stat housing and I think I have issues. One coil was just bad and it wouldn't even let me go more than 1/4 throttle before it would cut out. The current one installed will allow for WOT and part throttle, but randomly it will cut out like it's losing spark, but so far this has only happened while cruising in 5th at random speeds but very low throttle. A select number of times, the car will just shut off completely with power to everything but the spark. If I jiggle the wires, unplug the coil and replug it back up, it will work again. This happens rarely but it still happens. I have checked all the wires going to the HEP, swapped the HEP, swapped plug wires and checked for any discontinuity with the wiring from the sub harness to the plug and everything is good.

I guess it could be the power module, but I think I've swapped that as well with the same results. I may do that tomorrow and drive the car for a bit to see what happens, but it has been doing this since I went to that style coil. Since the one was bad, could this one be going bad? Both came from a parts yard. Should I just go get a new one from the dealer or has anyone else had issues with these style coils before? I have NO idea what model cars these came off, not sure if one year was better than the other. Anyways, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[turbovanman²]

Are these the E-coils?

[minigts]

I have no idea what an e coil is. It's the type that mounts by the thermostat. Not sure which car I pulled it from but it seems to be intermittent. It didn't do it for over a week and it just cut out today. It almost seems like a bad coil. I may just buy a new one.

[MR. X]

I have seen 2 different coils of this style. A completely encapsulated one and one that the metal fins are exposed. I am not sure of the differences in voltage if any. I do know that this style coil generally puts out 40k volts compared to the 20k volts the canister type did.

Your PCM would have a coil driver in it. It is uncommon but they do go bad. First I would check the terminals in the coil plug and look for corrosion anywhere in the circuit. I would also make sure your injectors are working properly. I know fuel was not mentioned, but brings up an issue I had here recently.

[tsiconquest88]

If the situation when you changed between the 2 coils hadnt altered i woulda said go at an ignition switch. I had posted quite a while back with a prob i had with my mini where sometimes it would randomly start other times it wouldnt and had no spark but everything else. I went all crazy with coils, hep, etc etc and it was simply the ig switch was no good. someone had pointed me in that direction as they had a similar issue and sure enough their advice paid off.

[turbovanman²]

I would just buy a new coil and put it back where it was, less heat and vibration. :thumb:

[shelbymonster]

try a coil that is made for efi , one time ive used a efi coil on a carb and was a pita when running (propane lift with nissan motor) maybe you just have the wrong coil on it

[RoadWarrior222]

Our harnesses are getting to an age where the insulation cracks up and you find it's a miracle that it was even working intermittently through the resulting green gunge.

[minigts]

try a coil that is made for efi , one time ive used a efi coil on a carb and was a pita when running (propane lift with nissan motor) maybe you just have the wrong coil on it

I will check that. I hope it's just the wrong coil for a turbo car.




Our harnesses are getting to an age where the insulation cracks up and you find it's a miracle that it was even working intermittently through the resulting green gunge.

Man I thought that was the problem. I checked the wires and it's all clean, no breaks in the wires and no accidental grounding. I honestly was hoping for that problem. :-)

[bakes]

Check to see if you have the +- wired right way around , mix them up the coil will run for abit but it will soon overheat and shut down.

[glhs0426]

After you check for polarity, verify the pin fit by removing the pins from the connector and plugging them in without the connector. These coils do go bad, but I have never seen one go bad like you are describing.