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HT leads, or high tension leads, are the wires that link the ignition coil to the distributor, and the distributor to your spark plugs. HT leads are one of the most neglected parts of the car's engine. However, if these are not working properly, they can stop your car working properly. Faulty HT leads will prevent the spark happening in your engine, so it is important that you keep your HT leads in good order. If they're not in good order, your engine could end up misfiring or you could have an uneven idle. HT leads can be easily damaged by just bending or flexing them. You should, therefore, handle them with care.
The HT lead in your car should have the lowest possible internal resistance. They should also prevent electrical interference from the other parts of your car. This should be achieved by the leads providing electromagnetic shielding.The HT lead should be matched to the voltage of your car. If the wrong voltage is used you could have heat problems or resistance issues. For example a sports car will have a core size up to 9mm, whereas, a street car will have a core size of between 6-8 mm. Most HT lead suppliers will be able to assist you in choosing the right core size for your car.
Aftermarket leads normally offer a few choices in colour and will increase electrical conductivity. These leads wont actually give you any extra power, but will help eliminate any flaws in your cars electrical system. The differences between these aftermarket leads and your standard ones are the material of your leads. Aftermarket leads offer a silicone rubber heat resistant outer surround and thicker superior quality centre cable and insulation.
Coil packs are induction coils within your engine which transforms the 12 volts from your battery into the thousands of volts needed to make the spark in your spark plug. Coil packs ensure that the spark is strong enough to jump the gap between the plugs. The coil pack is made up of thin wires which are wound thousands of times around a central core and is made up of two parts. The first part is known as the primary coil and the second is known as the secondary coil. The secondary coil has a higher voltage than the primary coil due to the wires being wound more within the secondary coil. The current runs from your battery to the primary coil which then creates a magnetic field. The magnetic field causes the current to flow in to the secondary coil. The current is then transfused on to the spark plug and the spark is created.
A weakened coil pack can have a negative effect on the overall performance of your engine. A faulty coil pack may result in a decrease of the voltage of the spark in your spark plug and your engine could misfire, or stop the engine running if you are using the car at the time the coil pack fails. A coil pack that is failing will still provide current to the plugs, but will not have enough power to create a full spark and the car will run lumpy. It is therefore, important to ensure that you have a healthy coil pack in your car.
Misfiring Engine
One of the earliest sign of a failing coil pack is engine misfiring. Your car will sound lumpy and will shake. Your car may feel as though it is about to stall. You will also suffer from decreased power due to the spark plug not receiving enough power to provide a full spark. The symptom of this is a drop in RPM.
Engine Check Light
The engine check light could indicate a number of problems within your engine. If you have determined that your spark plugs are fine, you should check your coil pack as this could be failing. The light may come on intermittently or may blink.
Visual Damage
Check your coil pack for any cracks or damages. The coil pack is exposed to heat whilst the engine is running, which could cause cracks. If you find a crack on your coil pack you should change the pack immediately as the coil pack could now be exposed to moisture. You should also check for damaged or loose connectors.
Changes In Exhaust Smoke
If your coil pack is failing you may notice that your exhaust smoke comes out intermittently rather than in a steady stream. Another indication of a coil pack failing is if the gas warning light comes on, but you have plenty of fuel.
It is essential that you disconnect the battery before checking your coil pack.Remove the coil before testing. You should check your repair manual for the resistance specifications for the coil in your car. Touch the leads of a multimeter to the smaller poles on the outside of the coil to test the resistance of the primary coil. If the reading matches the numbers in your repair manual, your primary coil is running normally. To check the secondary coil you will need to attach one of the leads of the multimeter to the 12 volt pole, and the other to the big pole on the middle. You will need to compare the readings to the numbers in your manual.
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