Is it the Ignition?(L98)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Is it the Ignition?(L98)
A few days ago after reassembling the intake on my '91 I had it running (very rough with a high idle) and was adjusting the ignition when the car just flat out quit. Now when I try to start it, it seems like I am not getting any spark. The rotor is new and Im not sure if it could be a coil problem or the ECM? I already checked the fuse. How can you tell if the coil is bad?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (Vette9d1)
:cheers: When you say you were adjusting the ignition...what were you doing and how were you doing it?
Coils rarely go bad, but having said that, I had one go bad just last week because it was not getting enough power.
There's a pickup coil in the distributor that can also seem to fail on short notice.
Perhaps someone with more knowledge will jump in here
Coils rarely go bad, but having said that, I had one go bad just last week because it was not getting enough power.
There's a pickup coil in the distributor that can also seem to fail on short notice.
Perhaps someone with more knowledge will jump in here
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (jackdaroofer)
When you say you were adjusting the ignition...what were you doing and how were you doing it?
did ya happen to bump or dislodge or fracture a vac line? Did ya do the old turn-out-the-lights-and-look-for-a-blue-glow trick? (well ventilated dark garage please)? Engine won't turn over now or it runs rough?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (Vette9d1)
Heres how you can test your spark coil. Remove the coil and place a .05 to .1 Mfd capacitor across the red and white primary wires and touch 12 volts across the primary wires. You can do this with clip leads from any source, like your car battery, battery charger, lantern battery (6v), voltage isn't critical. When you remove the voltage supply from the primary, there will be a high voltage spark from the high tension terminal on the side of the coil. Place a clip lead connected to either primary wire close (1/4 in) to the high tension terminal and observe the strength of the spark. It should be a healthy snap!
If the coil is good, then take your spark module out of the distributor and take it to a parts house that will test it for free. If ok, the only remaining component in the distributor is the pick up coil. The pickup coil should measure between 500 and 1500 ohms with an ohmeter.
If the coil is good, then take your spark module out of the distributor and take it to a parts house that will test it for free. If ok, the only remaining component in the distributor is the pick up coil. The pickup coil should measure between 500 and 1500 ohms with an ohmeter.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (jfb)
okay here is a way to test to keep from getting shocked. Pull a plug and with the wire connected to it, touch the electrode to something metal and turn the engine over a verify one you have a spark and two what color is it. If you have a yellow spark then you have problems and if no spark well you have problems. If you are getting a blue spark you rignition is fine and you may have the timing way out. More than likely it is a module, these frequently go out, and if you have one from Napa, Autozone, or Advanced or any other auto parts store who carries them. This is your problem, even if it is brand new. I went through 3 new ones last time this happenend to me before I just ordered a GM. With the GM module in as soon as I hit the key it fired right up.
Coils don't go bad that often, and it is even more rare for the pickup in the distributor to go out. My bet is the module.
Coils don't go bad that often, and it is even more rare for the pickup in the distributor to go out. My bet is the module.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (snaketr)
Now I have replaced the coil and it still will not start. All wires are in there proper place (i checkeded several times) and I decided to take my module out. I took it to an auto store where they did some sort of a check and claimed it was working properly. So if I have a good coil and a new cap and rotor what could the problem be? Could the module be bad even though the test said it was good? Could it be the ECM?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (Vette9d1)
please forgive me, I'm not trying to be a :troll , but did you pull the spark plugs and check them for spark or any of the above mentioned tests?
I'd like to get into the basics too. You know, do we have spark, fuel, air, compression?? Did you change out the pick-up coil? Those two leads need to be phased(correct term?) properly,<---- I know about that one :eek: :D :lol:
dist not installed 180* out of sync? EST wire plugged back in along with the other dist connections? Do you have an Ohmmeter?
it's very rare for an ECM to go bad, but it DOES happen.
[Modified by 89 Paul in cal, 5:53 PM 3/20/2002]
I'd like to get into the basics too. You know, do we have spark, fuel, air, compression?? Did you change out the pick-up coil? Those two leads need to be phased(correct term?) properly,<---- I know about that one :eek: :D :lol:
dist not installed 180* out of sync? EST wire plugged back in along with the other dist connections? Do you have an Ohmmeter?
it's very rare for an ECM to go bad, but it DOES happen.
[Modified by 89 Paul in cal, 5:53 PM 3/20/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (89 Paul in cal)
I have taken out a spark plug/wire and see a orange-yellow spark. It seems like it is close to starting but has never come alive. I am still wondering if I should go ahead and try a new module even though the auto store claims it is still good???
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Is it the Ignition?(L98) (Vette9d1)
Orange/yellow spark is a weak spark, but you put in a new coil.
Coil output is related to coil input, maybe someone can add something here..
But I am still curious that the engine was running, albeit badly, and then suddenly quit...never to start again!
Do you have fuel through the injectors?
Coil output is related to coil input, maybe someone can add something here..
But I am still curious that the engine was running, albeit badly, and then suddenly quit...never to start again!
Do you have fuel through the injectors?
