Dead Ignition System (Searched)
09-25-05, 10:40 PM
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Dead Ignition System (Searched)
Hi all
I have quite a big problem which has caused my car to be down for 2 weeks. It started when I was driving home the car just started bucking the tach needle was swinging around all over the place and then the car just dies. I had to push my car down the street until i found a spot. I went down the next afternoon with my friend and jumper cables, since my battery had died from trying to start it again the night before. So after a while it finally starts and I am able to make it back to my house a mile away. The next morning I go and try and start it to go to work and nothing again it cranks over fine after charging the battery but my tach needle doesnt bounce at all.
I tried testing all the plug wires with a timing light and nothing still. Started checking voltages to the main relay as well as replacing the 30 and 40 amp EGI and INJ fuses as well as the 15A engine fuse. The fuel pump is working I shorted it at the test connector and then listened for it and its running. The spark plugs were replaced about 500 miles ago and the cables are 10mm Magnacore. As far as voltages are concerned there is battery voltage at the B/G, B/W, and W/L wires that come from the battery to the main relay. I tested the continuity from all the connections of the coils and the main relay and there are no breaks. I cleaned all the grounds to the coil packs as well as added a ground wire from the leading coil pack to the negative terminal and a ground from the trailing coil to the chassis. the condenser ground was sanded and cleaned and well as ground 3 from the main relay that connects to the chasses under the trailing coil. I've replaced the condenser as well as the main relay from a known working car and still nothing at all it will still crank fine but the tach needle never moves. I also tested the CAS and coils and all the resistances are withing spec acording to the FSM. any help would be greatly appreciated ive been searching and still havent found anything that would help me so if anyone has any ideas that could help me out thank you in advance because i really need my car back and running. thanks again everyone in advance.
-alex
I have quite a big problem which has caused my car to be down for 2 weeks. It started when I was driving home the car just started bucking the tach needle was swinging around all over the place and then the car just dies. I had to push my car down the street until i found a spot. I went down the next afternoon with my friend and jumper cables, since my battery had died from trying to start it again the night before. So after a while it finally starts and I am able to make it back to my house a mile away. The next morning I go and try and start it to go to work and nothing again it cranks over fine after charging the battery but my tach needle doesnt bounce at all.
I tried testing all the plug wires with a timing light and nothing still. Started checking voltages to the main relay as well as replacing the 30 and 40 amp EGI and INJ fuses as well as the 15A engine fuse. The fuel pump is working I shorted it at the test connector and then listened for it and its running. The spark plugs were replaced about 500 miles ago and the cables are 10mm Magnacore. As far as voltages are concerned there is battery voltage at the B/G, B/W, and W/L wires that come from the battery to the main relay. I tested the continuity from all the connections of the coils and the main relay and there are no breaks. I cleaned all the grounds to the coil packs as well as added a ground wire from the leading coil pack to the negative terminal and a ground from the trailing coil to the chassis. the condenser ground was sanded and cleaned and well as ground 3 from the main relay that connects to the chasses under the trailing coil. I've replaced the condenser as well as the main relay from a known working car and still nothing at all it will still crank fine but the tach needle never moves. I also tested the CAS and coils and all the resistances are withing spec acording to the FSM. any help would be greatly appreciated ive been searching and still havent found anything that would help me so if anyone has any ideas that could help me out thank you in advance because i really need my car back and running. thanks again everyone in advance.
-alex
09-26-05, 07:21 PM
#2
Haven't we ALL heard this
If the tach does not move...there could be something wrong with the trailing coils. They send the signal to the tach. I would try swapping the trailing coil and swap a CAS. Also, try new spark plugs.
I am not sure if you did that already but man I had a hard time reading your post
I am not sure if you did that already but man I had a hard time reading your post
09-27-05, 12:00 AM
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sorry about the confusing I was just trying to get it all down last night before I went to sleep. The CAS is in spec according to the FSM and I have new spark plugs installed about 500 miles ago. The only thing I havent tried is swapping coils, either leading or trailing. I need to find some coils to swap out and see if that works.
thanks
-alex
thanks
-alex
10-01-05, 11:37 PM
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The only advice I can offer is that since your tach doesn't seem to function, there is some foul play with your Leading Ignition coil. I believe that is where you would plug in an aftermarket tach.
First things first, do you have a power distribution diagram? Start with your top level electricity.
-Does your alternator put out enough Amperage and Voltage? (i.e. bad alternator)
-Can your battery accept the excess voltage created by your alternator? (i.e. bad battery)
-Why did you replace your EGI, INJ, and Engine Fuses? Were they blown?
-When you say "Main Relay", do you mean the Main Fusebox? I don't know what the "Main Relay" is. Please excuse my electrical ignorance.
I know there is a page or two in the Haynes Manual devoted to taking apart and testing the Leading and Ignition Coils. You should take them apart and do what the Haynes says.
It sounds like a complex problem. Alot of times, just hearing a response from someone, enlightens you with something you haven't tested or something you, nor anyone else has thought of. You may have gone over this stuff allready, but hopefully it will trigger something in your Mental Model of your 7.
First things first, do you have a power distribution diagram? Start with your top level electricity.
-Does your alternator put out enough Amperage and Voltage? (i.e. bad alternator)
-Can your battery accept the excess voltage created by your alternator? (i.e. bad battery)
-Why did you replace your EGI, INJ, and Engine Fuses? Were they blown?
-When you say "Main Relay", do you mean the Main Fusebox? I don't know what the "Main Relay" is. Please excuse my electrical ignorance.
I know there is a page or two in the Haynes Manual devoted to taking apart and testing the Leading and Ignition Coils. You should take them apart and do what the Haynes says.
It sounds like a complex problem. Alot of times, just hearing a response from someone, enlightens you with something you haven't tested or something you, nor anyone else has thought of. You may have gone over this stuff allready, but hopefully it will trigger something in your Mental Model of your 7.
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