No signal to ignition coils

Tiny
VAERING
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SAAB 9-3 SPORTCOMBI
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
Hi,

My car listed above 1.8i (2007, Z18XE engine) worked fine a month ago. After sitting outside for 20 days I decided to take it for a test run, but it ran very hesitantly and while fine at times, it would often stutter and lose power at random, especially at lower speeds like the second gear at 1000 rpm and in an uphill slope. Even at idle and in neutral with the clutch depressed, it would quickly die after five seconds, the whole car shaking. Since these issues started for no reason except time (and cooler temperatures), I suspect rodents or something.

I decided to change the spark plugs after that, but since then it won't even start, just crank. The spark plugs were covered in gas though (possibly oil but most likely gas), which made me suspect ignition issues.

There's an rpm signal (I checked using an OBD-2 reader and the Torque app) which is smooth and stays at 200 rpm while cranking, so I think the crankshaft sensor's fine. The app also showed a fuel flow of 17 ml/min, which seems fine. No error codes.

Fuses are fine. No obvious ground issues, at least not on the strut or the bare engine metal parts at the front by the fuel filter, next to the coil packs, or the throttle body.

I removed the fuel pump fuse and checked the voltage at the ignition coil pack cable (it comes from the ECU
according to the WIS) while cranking, and there was 5-8 V on the power wire and just a constant ~0.1 V signal on the cylinder 2 and 4 wires (didn't check 1 and 3), so it seems I'm not getting an ignition signal from the ECU. But the wire isn't completely dead anyway.

So. I guess I'll need to check the cable from the ECU, distributor or camshaft sensor? I'm not sure which would be the most likely culprit here, or maybe I'm missing something? I'm new to cars so my assumptions could be wrong.

Thanks!
Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 AT 1:53 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,033 POSTS
Hello,

If the ECU is seeing crank signal but not signaling the coils it is shut down (security) or you have a shorted coil pulling down the coil drivers or the ECU is bad. Please disconnect all ignition coils and connect them one at a time to see if you can get spark. Also is the security light flashing? if so this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Check out this guide as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 AT 11:29 AM

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