Coil going??

[Krishen]

Last week i, after driving around town, stopped off to get wheels balanced. 30 mins later try to start the car and it turns but there is no spark. Checked the dizzy cap and rotar arm still nothing so called the RAC out. When they get there (about 30 mins later) the car starts straight away. Drove it back to london and didn't miss a beat. Changed the dizzy cap and rotor arm to be on the safe side anyway.

Then friday, on my way home, on the m1, car just cut out and refused to start. Again it was turning over but not sparking (hopefully you guys know what i mean by this). After id been rescued by the free recovery guys, rac man comes out and car starts first time

So just wondering if it could be the coil on its way out? I assumed coil was just needed when starting the car or is it working while the car is running too?

 

[gtikezz]

i had kinda the same problem changed the coil and its never happend again

 

[Krishen]

Are the coils the same on the 8v and 16v ??

 

[beezertart]

i had similar probs the other crimbo and ended up changing allsorts to eliminate it...never found out exactly what it was so kept all the bits that came off in case they weren't dud as thought...esp at 95quid or something for a new coil! every RAC man had a different idea!

 

[Kai_1600]

Coils are the same as far as i'm aware, if someone is local see if you can borrow one, it's only held on with a couple of (really fiddly to get to) nut/bolt combos, iirc the nut falls down the back :/

 

[suj]

Coils are the same as far as i'm aware, if someone is local see if you can borrow one, it's only held on with a couple of (really fiddly to get to) nut/bolt combos, iirc the nut falls down the back :/

your damn right, first time i did it, took me 30mins to find one the buggers!

make sure you put your hand on the back to catch it (lift the plastic scuttle type panel, where pollen filter is)

 

[Cupra Kid]

I'd put a fiver on it being the coil. Theyre cheaper at GSF i believe

 

[Krishen]

Just to satisfy my own curiosity, the coil is needed the whole time the car is running and not just on start up?

Will check at GSF on the weekend. A mate was saying they are about £40 from GSF.
In fact a quick search found this on their site. Im guessing its the 2nd or 3rd one on the list?

http://secure.gsfcarparts.com/shop/results.asp

 

[Cupra Kid]

The coil is needed the whole time the car is running, when they break the contacts inside crack. They can stay connected for a while, usually when cold, but when they get hot they move apart and the circuit breaks stalling the car. Hence why after 30 minutes of cooling down it starts again.

 

[Danzibar9]

Would this also cause a misfire and reduced performance?

 

[Kai_1600]

Would this also cause a misfire and reduced performance?

Well the coil is a big ass step up transformer to generate the power required for the spark which then goes to the dizzy then to the spark plugs so if the coil is on the way out (and they can be on the way out for a little while before leaving you at the side of the road!) you have a 'weak' spark which could lead to a feeling of not firing on all cylinders if some of the sparks dont ignite the fuel

 

[Krishen]

Well i fitted a new coil. Maybe just in my head but i reckon car feels more responsive now