Bad Ignition Coil ?

[michael11]

Seems pretty clear, but thought I'd post to see if I am missing something..

For the first time in the 2 years I've been driving my Festiva, it wouldn't start. I have been meaning to replace my ignition wires, so I figured that might be the culprit since it is a very damp and cold morning. I sprayed the wires with silicone wire dryer, but still no start...

Next I checked to see if I had power to the coil. YES.

Then I figured I'd check for spark, so I had my wife get in the car and turn it over, I saw spark jumping between the power input of the coil, and the coil wire outlet.

Bad coil right????

I went in my stash, and picked out a decent looking coil. I installed that, and ALSO saw the light show of sparks. Although It did start... It will idle, but if you give it gas, it misses bad, and you see the spark jump at the coil...

I assume a new coil would be the fix???

Any thoughts?

Oh..btw this is a 1993 EFI car

Thanks!

[Damkid]

Have you checked for moisture in the dist. cap? I once had the same problem on a wet damp day and it was only moisture

[michael11]

Hmmm...no, no I didn't check the cap. Makes sense though, noe that the engine is warm, it seems to be running great.
A new cap and wires are in order as well though....
Thanks!

[WmWatt]

Claening might be enough. I take the wires off one by one and wipe. Pull back boots and crimp ends a bit tighter. Spray boots with WD-40 so they will slide up wires. Also remove and wipe down cap. Also I got lifetime warranty wires and saved receipt. Can replace any time for free.

[FestYboy]

there should be no spark jumping the outlet post of the coil, replace with new.

[miami man]

at one time i had two festivas at the same time and both got moisture in the distributer cap

[89newb]

Well it doesn't help that the top of the cap there is a gap between the cap and the mount. Im gonna try to rig something up to seal it. Maybe liquigasket

[crazyrog17]

Claening might be enough. I take the wires off one by one and wipe. Pull back boots and crimp ends a bit tighter. Spray boots with WD-40 so they will slide up wires. Also remove and wipe down cap. Also I got lifetime warranty wires and saved receipt. Can replace any time for free.

You crimp the ends a bit tighter? I think they need to be expanded to make a better connection because they're the male connector and the distributor is the female connector.

Well, unless you're talking about the spark plug side...

Get new wires if they're under warranty!



As for the gasket... yeah, you need to make sure it's completely splash-proof.

[econoaddict]

there should be no spark jumping the outlet post of the coil, replace with new.

This doesn't mean the coil is bad, if the spark has no where else to go it will find the path of least resistance to ground, usually the boot on the coil wire at the coil is not sealed well so the spark escapes there.
As others have already said, water in the dist cap can cause this, a bad coil wire, cap or rotor as well.

[michael11]

Thanks for the replies. For the last year or so, I had planned on replacing the wires, cap and rotor. I did the plugs last summer...
Something tells me that everything will be fine when thats done...

[jbuck1975]

I too am having this problem. I see a spark jumping to the grounding wire in the coil. And car seems to miIiss at low mph

[GenevaDirt]

Thanks for the replies. For the last year or so, I had planned on replacing the wires, cap and rotor. I did the plugs last summer...
Something tells me that everything will be fine when thats done...

I too am having this problem. I see a spark jumping to the grounding wire in the coil. And car seems to miIiss at low mph

bad wires....replace and you should be fine.