Board logo

Coil Pack Testing?
coozer - 22/12/08 at 11:45 PM

Is there a way to test the zetec coil pack for output? Started me ST install for the first time tonight and number 4 cylinder just wont light up.

Before I start spending any more money is it possible to test the coil pack output on No. 4??

Cheers,
Steve

Chippy - 22/12/08 at 11:47 PM

Just swap the plug leads over, (I forget which two fire at the same time), and that will show if its the coil. HTH Ray

blakep82 - 22/12/08 at 11:47 PM

timing light hooked up to the 4th plug?

blakep82 - 22/12/08 at 11:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Chippy
Just swap the plug leads over, (I forget which two fire at the same time), and that will show if its the coil. HTH Ray


1&4, 2&3 isn't it?

[Edited on 22/12/08 by blakep82]

coozer - 23/12/08 at 12:00 AM

Does that mean they are individual or only two coils? 1&3 on the left, 2&4 on the right... so if the coil is buggered would there be two cylinders dead?

dhutch - 23/12/08 at 12:16 AM

Four coils, with a lost spark?

stevebubs - 23/12/08 at 02:31 AM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
quote:
Originally posted by Chippy
Just swap the plug leads over, (I forget which two fire at the same time), and that will show if its the coil. HTH Ray


1&4, 2&3 isn't it?

[Edited on 22/12/08 by blakep82]


Yup - wasted spark...

britishtrident - 23/12/08 at 07:35 AM

With coil packs the only real way to check is substitution of plug & coil pack --- if it has a lead the lead also.

If you can check the spark with an old plug with gap opened up to 3 to 4 mm clamp the plug body to a metal part of the engine so you don't get a shock.


If you get a decent spark then check the injector signal with 12v LED (official name is a NOID light) .

If that is OK do a compression test or a cylinder leak down test.

ss1turbo - 25/12/08 at 11:38 PM

With a wasted spark setup (i.e. Zetec, Vauxhall), then loss of a coil (or its drivers) would result in 2 cylinders losing spark. Only 1 suggests either plug or lead failure. Have you tried a resistance measurement? Should be in the 10's of kOhms, and will be pretty much proportional to the length of the lead.