How do i check if a coilpack is faulty? Its on my '95 golf vr6, i've noticed that its sparking were the leads connect, how do i check whether its the coilpack or the leads themselves?
Would the leads breaking down cause it to spark at the coilpack?
Any info would be great as im just about to buy a coilpack, but i m not 100% if its the leads?
Cheers

 

2 ways...

measure the resistance of the low tension coils (primarys)

or

Measure the output voltage (Kv) of the high tension (secondarys).

Your best bet is probably to compair the resistances of the leads to each other (or a new one if you can get access to one). Then check the resistances of the coils and see what you find!

Alex

 

Cheers for that Alex

 

When i start the car it runs on 3 or 4 cylinders and sparks at 2 or 3 of the lead ends at the coilpack. When i accelerate it stops sparking and works fine. Does this indicate anything? Also, it usually stops once the car is warmed up.
Shall i buy some new lead?

 

when you say "sparks at 2 or 3 of the lead ends at the coilpack"

you mean there are visable sparks at the end of the HT leads where they meet the coil pack?

Alex

 

Yeah, thats it alex, what does this mean?

 

it means your HT leads are goosed!!!

problem found I hope!

The sparks should be at the plugs... not the conenction to the coil packs. The electricty is finding it easier to jump there than where it should do.


Alex

 

Spot on, thanks for that alex!, now i just have to find £100 for 6 new leads

 

you could try giving them a damn good clean in brake cleaner...

it *might* just be loads of dirt.

Alex

 

Cool, i'll give that a try, but the leads do look pretty old.