Has my coil pack burnt out?

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:40 pm

On Saturday i washed my 94 Clubman and drove it into the garage so i could wax it. I turned the radio on in the car so i could listen to my ipod. I finished applying the wax and noticed that i had left the ignition on at position 2. I turned off the ignition straight away as i know it's not good to leave it on. The ignition had been on position 2 for minimum 15 mins, maximum 30 mins. I finished off waxing the car and then went to start it. The engine turns over but will not fire. I checked all the fuses and they are all ok. I removed spark plug no.1 and checked for a spark, no spark. I did the same for spark plug no.2 and no spark. The spark plug leads are brand new (bought from Mazda) and the spark plugs are relativley new as well and in good condition. The car was running perfectly before, no missfires or lack of performance. I have read that the coil pack is very delicate and can get burnt out if the ignition is left on. My brother in law has a multimeter and he tested the resistance between each pair of high-tension towers on the coil pack and the resistance was in the documented operating range (according to the Haynes manual).

So my question is has my coil pack burnt out which is why i'm not getting a spark? What else should i be checking?

I'm in Perth.

Thanks for any help!

AK

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:54 pm

It could be fuel related. When the ignition is turned on, the fuel pump starts/primes, but if the car isn't started after a short time the pump will stop. Now I'm not 100% certain exactly what controls that, but perhaps it could be that a switch or relay or the like has burnt out. Just a thought

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:42 pm

The NA8 coilpacks contain 2 separate but identical coils. The right one usually fires cylinders 1 and 4 while the left fires 2 and 3. Normally when coilpacks fail only one of the two coils fail, leaving you running on just 2 cylinders. I suppose it's possible that you've fried both sides, but incredibly unlikely. I'd look elsewhere for the problem - probably at the MAIN (or FUEL INJ) relay and fuses.

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:52 pm

manga_blue wrote:The NA8 coilpacks contain 2 separate but identical coils. The right one usually fires cylinders 1 and 4 while the left fires 2 and 3. Normally when coilpacks fail only one of the two coils fail, leaving you running on just 2 cylinders. I suppose it's possible that you've fried both sides, but incredibly unlikely. I'd look elsewhere for the problem - probably at the MAIN (or FUEL INJ) relay and fuses.

Some great advice right there.

Check if you have spark on any of the plugs (if so let us know which ones), check if you're getting fuel in the cylinders, then we'll see what the local members can do to help you from there.

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:06 pm

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies and advice.

I have checked all the plugs and no sparks. I am getting fuel. I have checked all the fuses, all ok. Everything electrical on the car works, lights work, they pop up, indicators work, radio works, horn works etc.

I have taken the coil pack out to examine it.

(I had to use a torch to prop up the coil pack when i took the photo so please dont say that the torch attached to the coil pack is the problem :oops:

)

The first thing i noticed is that coil no.1 (as indicated on the back of the metal bracket) is dull and not shiny like the rest. I tried to clean it with WD40 but it wont come up clean like the others.

coil_1.jpg

The second thing i noticed is that there appears to be melted plastic on the back of the coil pack on both coils.

coil_2.jpg

I found a document on the web (http://www.quithel.co.uk/zz_Engine.htm) which has a paragraph about coil packs. You have to scroll down quite far to the heading "Ignition Coil problem on ’93 1.8"

The article talks about casings splitting from heat.

Anyway, to sum up i am convinced my coil pack is blown! :cry:

(expensive fix!)

AK

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:45 pm

Yeah, they look nasty. Mine have blown without any outward signs. Can you try a test fit of those into a mate's car, or vice versa, before you spend?

On this forum 1red5 has had a few coilpacks for sale.

Waz man · Postby **Waz man** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:30 pm

I have some coils from my old car ak, have not been used for awhile.
Do you want to give them a try?
If they work we can work out a price.
From memory when I rang Mazda for a price I thought they were quoting me for a new engine not just the coil packs.
Cheers
Warwick 0409 103232

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:56 pm

Hi manga_blue, yes they dont look too healthy! :cry:

Hi Waz man,
Ha ha, yes i phoned Mazda as well and i was quoted just over $800. I said to the lady who i spoke to on the phone that we must have a bad line because i thought you said $800, she replied yes $800!!!!!!!!! Unbelieveable price.

Yes please Waz man, i'd love to give them a try and buy them off you if they get my car going. My coil pack is the 4 pin type. Part number on the bracket BPE8 18 10XA DSC-501, and there is a number printed on each coil which is 312.

I'll call you later!

AK

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:14 pm

Hi everyone,

I have just been down to see Waz man and unfortunately the spare coil set he has were a different type to mine.

Does anyone else in Perth have a set i can test?

Pretty please... :lol:

AK

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:52 pm

Any chance of a photos showing the different between your coil and Waz's? I don't think I have any spare but someone else here might.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:36 am

If it does end up dead, replacement coilpacks can be had for USD$205ish on US sites, with postage etc it will still be substantially cheaper than buying direct from Mazda here.

I bought coilpacks from here recently (although I purchased some coil on plug ones for my 2001 model, they do have 1994 model ones available). Choose 'Electrical' then the first 'Ignition System' then 'Coil Assy'

http://trademotion.com/partlocator/inde ... &year=1994

ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:34 pm

Hi Caffeine,

Thanks for the link.

Before i read your message I was searching the web and phoned MX5 Mania in NSW who have new and used coil packs for sale.

Spoke to a guy called AJ who was very helpful. $550 for a brand new one. He had a second hand one, guaranteed in working order, 4 pin type and same part number on the bracket as mine. It was $150 for the second hand one, so i ordered it. At least this way i've only blown $150 if the car still doesn't start and i'll know it wasn't the coil pack. Plus i'll have a spare coil pack!

The coil pack should arrive on Monday. I'll let you all know if my car starts with the new (second hand) coil pack.

Cheers

AK

Postby **Okibi** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 1:15 am

Nice work Ajay! Fingers crossed it solves your problem.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 1:03 pm

quite apart from the heat damage to the rear of your coilpack, I had to replace my old NA6's coilpack due to the inside of the post being pitted & burnt like yours.