Weak spark

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
xavier
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 743
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Western Australia

Sat May 22, 2021 7:36 am

I seem to be getting a weak spark when I go to start up. Sometimes the car will fire up, other times not. I’ve checked the battery and fuel supply and both are good. Checking the spark showed it was weak at the spark plug. Any suggestions? Coil? It is a 1984 323i with the earlier fuel injection. Is there an order of things I should check?
User avatar
xavier
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 743
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Western Australia

Tue May 25, 2021 8:29 am

Sorted. Water had got into where the distributor lead plugs into the coil. I have no idea how. The car hasn’t been out in the rain for over 2 years. The water caused corrosion of the metal end of the lead. I took the coil out and cleaned the crud out of the top on the input with circuit cleaner, sand paper and some old rags. One new lead ($4.50) and it is running like a top. I am a bit concerned that the RAC bloke didn’t pick this up on Saturday? He offered to get my car towed to the workshop. I think that may have resulted in a bill of more than $4.50. I am glad I chose to look at it myself first.
User avatar
martauto
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 6200
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Tue May 25, 2021 5:01 pm

xavier wrote:
Tue May 25, 2021 8:29 am
I am a bit concerned that the RAC bloke didn’t pick this up on Saturday?
Was he old enough to know what a "coil" is ?? lol

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
Post Reply