Im sorry for the ignorance and i have searched but wanted
more clarity. As far as i understand the plug leads are for ur
spark plugs and the coilpack runs to ur ecu ???

Wanted to know what problems are associated with these things and
any other general info that u might have... Why would aftermarket ones be any better ?? (more robust ??) Just want to understand these things better

thanks

leeps

 

Coil packs basically generate the huge current needed to cause the spark plug to spark..

Early cars and some new age ones (STi7/8?) have four coil packs which are bolted on top of the spark plugs..

From about 98on they have a wasted spark system that has two coils on top of the inlet manifold, each coil pack sparking two plugs at once and HT leads running from the coils to the spark plugs..

Hope that helps?

JGM

 

"if" the car is fitted with plug leads, then it is mounted centrally on top of the engine and has four leads running down to each spark plug.
"If" the car has seperate coil pack, you will simply see a small cable harness running to each spark plug hole.
The "latter" system normally runs more efficiently as the spark can be controlled more finer by the engine ECU.
The systems are not interchangable unless bought as an "aftermarket " package thing.

 

I have a MY97 with a black thingy sitting on top of the engine with 2 plug leads running down on each side. Is there high tension current running through the wires as I was unable to trigger a timing light by attaching the induction clip to the lead? The timing light is working on another car, so it has to be the trigger's problem.
Thanks.

 

i have same lead set up and it ran a timing light perfectly yesterday

 

The bloke doing my MOT said he couldn't get any induction to work his timer. Reckoned that the plug leads were screened very well to avoid any leakage.

Nick

 

I am under the impression that the coil pack is something sitting just on top of the spark plug where the high ignition voltage is generated and only a low current is carried in the lead wire, unlike the older ignition coil setup where high voltage is generated at the distributor end.