Can a coil be bad part-time | FerrariChat

Can a coil be bad part-time

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by David Lind, Nov 9, 2013.

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  1. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    I have a Mondial 3.2, and I swear that one coil seems to be intermittently bad. Is this possible? I thought once a coil was worn out that it was completely dead.
    Thanks!
     
    David Lind, Nov 9, 2013
    #1
  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

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    Possibly can be temperature affected.
     
    2NA, Nov 9, 2013
    #2
  3. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

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    Its possible but the problem is more likely to be a faulty HT lead or bad contact on the LT blade connectors.

    But internal insulation breakdown can happen which results in arcing which might be worse in colder damp conditions.
     
    andyww, Nov 9, 2013
    #3
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    Yes, but I'd put a higher probability on a power module misbehaving in that way (but you can swap coils and/or power modules to determine if the problem follows any of the 4 players).
     
    Steve Magnusson, Nov 9, 2013
    #4
  5. Philcat

    Philcat Karting

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    Temp and humidity can both make a coil intermittent.
     
    Philcat, Nov 9, 2013
    #5
  6. ferrarisun

    ferrarisun Formula Junior

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    Yes they can! Had that happen years ago on a 1971 Boss 351 Mustang. Had several symptons, like carb or fuel issues, felt like perhaps timing even. Changed out several parts, still had the intermittent runability problem, changed the coil, no more trouble.
     
    ferrarisun, Nov 9, 2013
    #6
  7. itiejim

    itiejim Karting

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    Me too - I've had intermittent problems with a coil - usually with it breaking down as it gets hot.
     
    itiejim, Nov 14, 2013
    #7
  8. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    All of the above :)
     
    finnerty, Nov 15, 2013
    #8
  9. dkilka

    dkilka Formula Junior

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    +1
     
    dkilka, Nov 15, 2013
    #9
  10. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    Thanks to all!
     
    David Lind, Nov 15, 2013
    #10
  11. Splitting Atoms

    Splitting Atoms Formula 3

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    I had an intermittent skip on my Mustang GT over the past month. I spent $150 on Ford racing wires and platinum plugs. No change. I swapped out one of the coil packs with a spare I had in the garage. Skip went away.
     
    Splitting Atoms, Nov 15, 2013
    #11
  12. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    I had an intermittent coil on an old 1973 Kawasaki F11 a while back. It would run great for a few miles and then start sputtering like it was running out of gas. After stopping for 10-15 minutes, it would run great again. Turned out to be a bad coil that after getting hot, the resistance would increase resulting in low voltage which caused the sputtering.
     
    parkerfe, Nov 16, 2013
    #12
  13. jgoodman

    jgoodman F1 Rookie Silver Subscribed

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    I totally agree. FYI, use some contact cleaner on the connector to the coil module and see if the problem goes away. Just happened to me this morning and now after lubricating/cleaning it, I'm back on full power. If that doesn't do it David, replace the coil module only. Should take care of it. Probably don't need to replace the coil itself just yet.
     
    jgoodman, Nov 16, 2013
    #13

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