: Weak Spark

[Todd Phenneger]

Rob,
 You may be onto something here.  I have not actually measured
that its exactly 1/2" that its gapping.  I'll measure it out
exactly and see.  I wasn't aware there was a spark test like
that for the coil.  But it seems that it was about .5" gap.  
  As for the plugs, they are new but did get very flooded with
fuel.  Multiple times. Spark was weak and not enough to fire
them.  However, spark is even weaker to non existant now.  I've
sprayed them with Carb Cleaner to clean them up, and taken the
cloth to them to clean them up.  Do I need to actually heat them
up fully.  Like with a propane torch for about 5-10 seconds? 
Maybe I sould try my old plugs. :-)
  Thanks, things to look into.
     Todd

--- rob hod <rob3 at hod3.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>   Air gap testing is a pretty good indicator of voltage, even
> allowing for
> varying atmospheric conditions. There's no 'weak' spark that
> can cover half
> an inch air gap.
> 
>    My trusty Gunsons' Sparktest indicates that a spark that
> crosses a
> half-inch(~12.5mm) air-gap is over 20KV. So if you're sure
> that's the gap
> it'll cross then you definitely have a healthy output from the
> coil.
> 
>   Incidentally the range 8.5 to 4.5mm is described as
> "Ignition fault
> developing" and less than that as "Ignition Fault Exists".
> 
>   So you have a new rotor, cap and leads(wires?) with new
> factory 5KOhms
> suppressors and they are trunked correctly, and the plugs are
> new and have
> not been flooded, run rich or otherwise carbonized up? Maybe
> try roasting
> them over the cooker to be sure?
> 
>   Cheers,
> 
> rob
> ----- Original Message ----- Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 02:59:08 -0800 (PST)
> From: Todd Phenneger <tquattroguy at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: Weak Spark
> To: Jim Green <jeg1976 at yahoo.com>
> Cc: Quattro list <quattro at audifans.com>
> Message-ID:
> <20031218105908.52818.qmail at web12824.mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Jim,
>   You really think so.  I spose I could swap over the starter
> from the S4 and see what happens.  Read my previous post as
> well, not sure what that means.  Everything makes sense from
> testing.  I do get some sort of intermittent spark at the
> plugs.
> And a MUCH Stronger spark at the coil wire.  I mean it will
> arc
> 1/2" to the nearest piece of metal.  But for some reason the
> nice spark wont make it to the plugs.  So either
> 1) the spark from the coil just looks strong but after going
> thought the resistance of the plug, etc its not really that
> strong.
> 2) It is strong and the problem is AFTER the coil.  But what,
> its all been replaced.  Could I have an entire BATCH of bad
> plugs?  They only have about 100 miles on them and I couldnt
> have burnt them up THAT fast.  (my motorcycle could thought,
> it
> eats plugs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
> 
> Thanks
>    Todd (Wanting to get this thing running so I can DRIVE it,
> Not to mention sell it.  Boy, this must be inspiring for
> anyone
> who may have been considering buying it. :-)
> 
> --- Jim Green <jeg1976 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Todd, I had a episode this weekend, took the car to
> > get it alighned, and when the guy went to start it to
> > drive it off the rack, the car just would not start,
> > or even hint at starting.  I sat there for a good 5
> > min trying till my battery started to sound weak.
> > They brought over the shop's battery charger/car
> > starter and it fired right up.  Later that day my
> > starter died completely at the gas station.  It
> > wouldn't even spin.  Thanks to some of Denvers finest
> > for pushing me through the parking lot so I could drop
> > the clutch and get home.
> >
> > Anyways, I just installed a rebuilt starter and the
> > car starts instantly now.  Before it would crank for a
> > few seconds, kinda fire, and with a little care from
> > the throttle settle into a nice idle.  I always
> > thought my EFI settings were just a little out of
> > wack, and that I'd fix it later.
> >
> > So my whole point is a bad starter can really 'F'
> > things up!  I'd look at that and your ignition switch.
> >
> > HTH,
> >
> > =====
> > Jim Green
> > '89 80q slow
> > '89 90tq fast, really fast
> > http://www.mswanson.com/~jgreen/car_home.html
> >
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