Date:         Tue, 12 Jun 2001 15:47:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject:      How to test ignition coil? this guy needs some help
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

somebody help this guy...


Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 14:40:05 -0700
From: Riley Kettner <rileyk@home.com>
To: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@uidaho.edu>
Subject: Re: How to test ignition coil?

The coil will no spark to a ground wire that i run from the body. From my
experince the wires won't come into play yet right?

I had my fuel injection computer replaced about 4 months ago because it
would cause my van to die intermittently. The van stalled last week driving
my girlfrien home and that was suprising. Then sunday it doesn't start at
all. I must have cranked it 30 times, because it wouls sometimes start with
the old computer.

To try and solve this problem i removed a spark plug tp try and see if there
was spark because i could hear the ful pump, and the motor was turned nicely
by the starter.

There was no spark at the plugs, so i check for spark at the coil . none. I
have heard that the "hall" sensor may be causeing problems, or perhaps my
computer has screwed up again.

Sorry for the long email.

Riley.

p.s. my dad is telling me to take it to a shop, but I make a days worth of
pay to give them for one hour of their time.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Pollard" <poll7356@uidaho.edu>
To: "Riley Kettner" <rileyk@home.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: How to test ignition coil?


> Ok, i'll try harder. No spark means that something is keeping the plugs
> from getting juice. Lets assume your coil is wired correctly and is fine.
> Now, is the big center wire from the coil going to the top center of the
> distributor?  Are all of your wires in good shape? IF you take them on and
> off a lot the ends tend to break. Bad. Now are your spark plugs wired
> correcty? i could go on for hours on what to do... lets try backwards. did
> the bus just stop working? did you get it this way?  what have you done?
>
>
>
>
> Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
> Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
> University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu
>
> On Tue, 12 Jun 2001, Riley Kettner wrote:
>
> > With my key on the my voltmeter reads 12 volts. That would be from
grounded
> > body to the black wires from the lower side of the coil. they attach
> > seperately rather than the combined green plug.
> >
> > The green plug gives zero volts, which is ground with the key turned on.
> >
> > At this point i am giving you my complete faith. lol I'm in over my head
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Matthew Pollard" <poll7356@uidaho.edu>
> > To: "Riley Kettner" <rileyk@home.com>
> > Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 1:53 PM
> > Subject: Re: How to test ignition coil?
> >
> >
> > > Riley, i can't help too much, but i'll try to send you down the right
> > > path...
> > >
> > > 1) is there power to the coil? Should be about 12v.  Check this by
doing a
> > > volt test between the spade plug on the side of the coil and ground.
Be
> > > sure your ignition is on by the way!
> > >
> > >
> > > > Well i bought myself a new coil and hooked it up to the system. Same
> > problem
> > > > exists. no spark at all.
> > > >
> > > > What could prevent the coil from not zapping besides possbily my
> > incorrect
> > > > wiring....
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Riley Kettner
> > > >
> > > > > > The archive search did not work for me today, but i have a
desperate
> > > > question. I am getting no spark at my plugs. I cleaned the
distributor
> > and
> > > > monkeyed around with cleaning other contacts to no avail.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I don't know much about cars, but i suspect the ignition coil
> > because of
> > > > the lack of spark. My fuel injection computer had problems a long
time
> > ago,
> > > > so i am partially suspecting this as well.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Riley
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>