Combustion Question

[GLTHFJ60]

So my 635 has decided to stop working again and I can't figure out why.

The short story is that I tore my ACL and the car sat for a couple of days, so when I went to start it up again, it refused to cooperate. I cranked it and cranked it but there was nothing. I pulled a plug and there was definately sufficient gasoline to fire, but there was apparently no spark. The other thing I did was I pulled the high tension wire from the coil to the dist. and held it next to a ground while cranking to test if there was any energy coming from the coil. All I got was one small spark.

What can be wrong? Is the coil gone? Is the spark controlled by the computer? Is something wrong with my dist? How do I check my coil?

[323I Junkie]

You really need to purchase an iniexpensive spark checking tool to properly diagnose that. Anything else is far too much guesswork. It sounds like you may have weak spark, which doubtfully would be a computer issue. Check to see that power to the coil is at least 12 volts with the key on and in the start position. Check both terminals, if there is far less on the ground terminal, it should be indicated, there is a voltage drop occuriing within the coil and something is "amiss". If there is not, check the ignition module ground (sorry i cant help you with the location) and make sure it is good. If the ignition cant ground the coil, the feilds wont collapse and therefore you will not get the most excellent spark.

Generally, the coil wire sends lightining out of it when you do what you describe, but many things can effect that. One thing i would do right now is get new plugs..these are prpbably fouled beyond savior

[GLTHFJ60]

I forgot to add that I did buy one of those spark testers. it's one of the ones that detects the current traveling through the wire heading towards the plug and emits a light. I tested it on a running car and it worked. On my 635, it didn't illuminate at all when cranking from what I could tell.

Now, to check the voltage to the coil, then where do I connect the ends of the multimeter? One to the hot lead and one to the ground? One to the hot lead and one to the middle of the coil?

I apologise for the dumb questions, but I am unfamiliar with computer controlled ignition systems.

About the plugs, I pulled one and it is extremely clean. There should be no reason why it should not fire as it is. The only thing that was on the plug was gasoline, and not an excessive amount either.