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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

What does the coil pack Capacitor do ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 98Mustang2017
  • Start date Start date Dec 23, 2019
9

98Mustang2017

Active Member
May 3, 2017
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ct
Dec 23, 2019
#1
  • Dec 23, 2019
  • #1
If one was to eliminate the capacitor.. or how about make the capacitor bigger..which would send more voltage ?
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
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Houston Texas
Dec 23, 2019
#2
  • Dec 23, 2019
  • #2
98Mustang2017 said:
or how about make the capacitor bigger..which would send more voltage ?
Click to expand...
no. In fact a larger capacitor would cause additional spark energy to be grounded.
98Mustang2017 said:
If one was to eliminate the capacitor..
Click to expand...
The purpose of the ignition capacitor is to reduce high frequency radio interference (static) that could be picked up by the radio. So if you were to remove the ignition capacitor it's possible to have static electrical noise induced into various electrical systems within the car. This size of the capacitor is chosen to ground the spectrum that overlaps that of broadcast radio.

Spark-gap transmitter

Spark-gap transmitter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org
 
Last edited: Dec 24, 2019
Reactions: 98Mustang2017

screamin gt

5 Year Member
Apr 9, 2007
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central CT
Dec 28, 2019
#3
  • Dec 28, 2019
  • #3
wmburns said:
no. In fact a larger capacitor would cause additional spark energy to be grounded.

The purpose of the ignition capacitor is to reduce high frequency radio interference (static) that could be picked up by the radio. So if you were to remove the ignition capacitor it's possible to have static electrical noise induced into various electrical systems within the car. This size of the capacitor is chosen to ground the spectrum that overlaps that of broadcast radio.

Spark-gap transmitter

Spark-gap transmitter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org
Click to expand...
Interesting. Where is that located? Because sometimes I swear I can hear my supercharger in my radio. Wonder if it's bad.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
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Dec 29, 2019
#4
  • Dec 29, 2019
  • #4
A high pitch whine in the radio is more likely to be a bad alternator. Likely a bad alternator diode (excessive AC ripple).

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test

To anyone else reading any of my posts I usually include the line: Today's cars simply will not run right without a strong battery and charging system! Cut corners here at your own risk I'm a big believer in starting with the basics. As such I...
www.stangnet.com

If the noise is from the ignition it would pulse on/off with RPM.
 
Last edited: Dec 29, 2019
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