Barely to no spark at coil

M

miller92063

Member

Oct 12, 2005

253

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16

Nebraska

Feb 10, 2009

#1

• Feb 10, 2009

• #1

I have been dealing with this for some time now and I'm getting tired of it. Need help on figuring out why I have just a little to no spark at the coil. I am now officialy lost. Any help is appreciated.
Coil tested good tried disconnecting MSD. nothing.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 10, 2009

#2

• Feb 10, 2009

• #2

What do you mean that there's little spark at the coil? How was this tested?

 

M

miller92063

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Oct 12, 2005

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Nebraska

Feb 16, 2009

#3

• Feb 16, 2009

• #3

I checked by just holding the plug wire about a half inch off the coil and watching for the spark to jump. Normally there is a strong jump, but now there is none. And if there is, it seems to barely jump.

 

str8stang036

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Dec 28, 2002

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Miami

Feb 16, 2009

#4

• Feb 16, 2009

• #4

Is this affecting your performance or is just a question as to why?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 16, 2009

#5

• Feb 16, 2009

• #5

It's better and more reliable to use a spark tester, or at least ground a plug and watch the spark jump the plug gap. A spark can jump a wide gap but if it's not blue, it's useless.

If you get a no-spark condition, put a test light across the two electrical wires to the coil. If the test light flashes while cranking but you have no spark leaving the coil, the coil is suspect.

Good luck.

 

95Vert

New Member

Aug 19, 2004

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North Mexico (deep south Texas)

Feb 16, 2009

#6

• Feb 16, 2009

• #6

Like Hissin said, coil might be an option. How do your grounds look?

 

M

miller92063

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Oct 12, 2005

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Nebraska

Feb 16, 2009

#7

• Feb 16, 2009

• #7

Haven't had the car running in a couple months.
The main battery ground-just moved the ground spot to a bolt on the timing cover

The smaller one from the block to the frame- looks OLD should probly replace that one.

 

95Vert

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Aug 19, 2004

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North Mexico (deep south Texas)

Feb 16, 2009

#8

• Feb 16, 2009

• #8

There should be 3 grounds creating a 'loop'. Battery to frame-->frame to engine-->and engine to battery post-->. It's never a bad idea to install new grounds. It was very noticeable when I did mine.

 

M

miller92063

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Oct 12, 2005

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Nebraska

Feb 16, 2009

#9

• Feb 16, 2009

• #9

I'll give that a shot to start. Now I just need the time to get under it

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 17, 2009

#10

• Feb 17, 2009

• #10

The timing cover ground can lead to poor conductivity (galvanic corrosion).

I totally agree with adding extra ground pathways.

 

M

miller92063

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Oct 12, 2005

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Nebraska

Mar 5, 2009

#11

• Mar 5, 2009

• #11

I just replaced/added rounds to the car and the @#$%er still won't run. I'm starting to get pissed.

Anyone with any thoughts, please help.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Mar 5, 2009

#12

• Mar 5, 2009

• #12

miller92063 said:

I just replaced/added rounds to the car and the @#$%er still won't run. I'm starting to get pissed.

Anyone with any thoughts, please help.

Click to expand...

If a lack of spark or weak spark is your only issue (if your grounding pathways were bad, the starter would not turn over decently), see post 5 again. This will reliably test your coil.

 

R

rdub91683

New Member

Mar 5, 2009

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Mar 5, 2009

#13

• Mar 5, 2009

• #13

I had the same problem and it was a loose nut that connects the two wiring harnesses near the firewall on the passenger side!

 

M

miller92063

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Oct 12, 2005

253

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16

Nebraska

Mar 6, 2009

#14

• Mar 6, 2009

• #14

It def seems like a wiring problem.

What is this nut you speak of.(Not near the car and work 12hr shifts so for now I have to imagine it.)