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1996 Plymouth Neon 96 Neon No Spark - Grounded + Coil Wire

Tiny
VEROHANDYMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 PLYMOUTH NEON
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I know this problem has been answered in different ways before, but here is my issue. I was working alone trying to test the wire to the coil to see if it got current while cranking, this was going to tell me if I need to replace the coil. So I stick my tester through the wire and set it in a way that I could see it from the inside of the car. I then cranked the engine and did see the tester light, but then it stopped. Only when I went back to the front did I see why, The tester was grounding on the engine ever so slightly when I turned the engine over. Normally this would have blown a fuse, but there is no fuse for this wire. Question is - What did I screw up, the computer?


I tested the orange/green I think it was. The one that is supposed to have power when you crank, three wires, this one was in the middle. I used a test light.
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Saturday, August 1st, 2009 AT 10:05 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
My info shows you have a coil pack, which wire did you test? Did you test the primary wire to the coil, or plug-wire? What kind of tester did you use, testlite?
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
VEROHANDYMIKE
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  • 4 POSTS
I tested the orange/green I think it was. The one that is supposed to have power when you crank, three wires, this one was in the middle. I used a test light.
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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The dark green wire with the orange stripe, is primary voltage to the coil. Are you saying there is no longer voltage on that wire, engine cranking? What ground did you use for the light? The asd relay supplies primary voltage to the coil, as well as several other circuits. The voltage circuit to the asd relay is fused. I believe it is fuse 21, 20 amp in the power distribution center, under the hood.
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
VEROHANDYMIKE
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  • 4 POSTS
When using a tester light, I always clip to the battery negative (is this the wrong way to do it?). While connected to the dark green/orange wire to the coil I sat in car and turned engine over while looking through gap in open hood. I observed light while cranking. Unfortunately the cranking shifted the test light and a portion of it hit the engine, I did not see any spark when it did so. However after that I no longer get light on the tester when cranking. Tester does still function with other live wires.
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did you check the fuse and circuit, I suggested?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2009 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
VEROHANDYMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes. Checked the fuses and none blown. Here is what happened, either that light I saw was a little "grab" that occurred on the last remaing belt or I imagined it. This will make more sense in a minute.
If I get in my truck and try to start it, or drove down the street, I would know immediately if anything was wrong because I have been driving it for a while and everyday. This car (which belongs to my son) not so much. But I did think the turnover was a bit fast but thought that was because I had no spark or just normal for a small engine. Well, you guessed it already, I examined the timing belt (took an hour of taking parts off) and sure enough it was badly frayed and broken. Engine is an interferance engine.
Unfortunately, for the value of this car and the work involved I listed it on CL with full disclosure showing photo of broken belt. Within minutes someone bought it as a dirt cheap project car. I know all it needed was another engine dropped in but I don't have a garage and don't want to be out there in this sun putting in a used engine that might not come with a guarantee. Paying a shop to do it would cost more than the car is worth now and more than it would be worth when they are done. Rebuilding existing engine same thing.
Thank you very much for your help so far, I found you very knowledgeable.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2009 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Well, sorry for your problems. I'm just a forum helper, but, there are a lot of sharp people that answer questions here. Too numerous to name. Goodluck
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 AT 8:09 AM

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