Shouldnt my coil ground here..only 2 cyl work

[Royalty]

Car still firing on 2 cyls so my mechanic tries another coil and cas still nothing. took a test light and tested the leads to the coil to see if it was getting power.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Correct me if i'm wrong but those top wires should be powered and the bottom 2 shoud be grouded. Because if so all of mine are hot and that would leave me to belive that the ECU is the source of my problems.

THe caps were replaced by the previous owner and i think this is why he sold it.

also should i see this wire on the bottom of my ecu

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[steve]

Car still firing on 2 cyls so my mechanic tries another coil and cas still nothing. took a test light and tested the leads to the coil to see if it was getting power.

Correct me if i'm wrong but those top wires should be powered and the bottom 2 shoud be grouded. Because if so all of mine are hot and that would leave me to belive that the ECU is the source of my problems.

THe caps were replaced by the previous owner and i think this is why he sold it.

also should i see this wire on the bottom of my ecu

I think you have idea backwards. Both coils share a common +12 and have indivdual wires back to the PTM so the the ECU can switch that side to ground causing the coil to charge. When the ECU swiitches off the PTM the collapsing field in the primary and fires the plugs.
The power wire is black with a white stripe and runs to pin 3 of the coil connector. The two wires from the PTM are yellow with stripes at at PTM side of the coil connector and go to pins 1 and 2. The manual doesn't describe the colors of the wires between the coil connector and the bottom of the coils.

The wire on the bottom of your ECU is a repair to the AC clutch relay circuit. Either it was damaged in the process od repairing something else or just went open.

I've seen that gold paint before, it's from one of the "professional" ECU rebuilders.
Not that it matters much but that's a FWD ECU. At least it's the right year.

Steve

 

[Royalty]

Oh thats just fantastic (sarcasm & frustration)

I'll just get another one, #### this car :thumbdown

 

[steve]

I assume your talking about the ECU, don't worry about it. The difference between the AWD and FWD within 91+ model years is a single resistor to tell the ECU what to be. It will work just fine (If your sparking problem isn't the ECU).

Which coil is firing and have you checked the Power Transistor Module?

Steve

 

[Royalty]

I assume your talking about the ECU, don't worry about it. The difference between the AWD and FWD within 91+ model years is a single resistor to tell the ECU what to be. It will work just fine (If your sparking problem isn't the ECU).

Which coil is firing and have you checked the Power Transistor Module?

Steve

i'm going to try a new transtor and ecu today so i'll let u know how it goes

 

[The Foos]

Definately sounds like a transistor pack problem. If it is 1&4 or 2&3 out in those two combinations, i can say with 99% confidence that it is your transistor pack.

Scott

 

[Royalty]

Definately sounds like a transistor pack problem. If it is 1&4 or 2&3 out in those two combinations, i can say with 99% confidence that it is your transistor pack.

Scott

transistor pack, thats the thing tucked on the side of the intake mani beside the cam geears..rihgt?

 

[steve]

transistor pack, thats the thing tucked on the side of the intake mani beside the cam geears..rihgt?

Yep, It's what switches the primary circuit of the coils.

Steve

 

[The Foos]

transistor pack, thats the thing tucked on the side of the intake mani beside the cam geears..rihgt?

Yeap. It is a 6 or 7 pin module (depending on the year) that is directly below where the wiring harness connects to your coil pack.

Good luck

Scott

 

[Royalty]

could i use an N/T 2.0 power transitor

 

[fivestardsm]

I too have had the transistor fail and the coil only fired on two. I have used non turbo P.T.s on turbo vehicles, it just has to match the plug (i.e. 90's only on 90's, and 91 up on 91 up)

This is a good source for used parts.
http://www.car-part.com/

Steve.

 

[steve]

could i use an N/T 2.0 power transitor

Last time I checked CAPS I believe I found that they were the same part number within the same year.

Steve

 

[bmwisthekey]

could i use an N/T 2.0 power transitor

i got a few from a junkyard off the n/t 2.0 models and they still worked on mine(90 tsi) its exactly the same part if the years are correct(if u get one that has the same number of pins on the transistor as yours it wont matter if it was from an n/t 2.0 or the turbo model)

 

[Royalty]

i got a few from a junkyard off the n/t 2.0 models and they still worked on mine(90 tsi) its exactly the same part if the years are correct(if u get one that has the same number of pins on the transistor as yours it wont matter if it was from an n/t 2.0 or the turbo model)

So since i have a 91 i have to use a transistor off of a 91
and 92 to 92 and so on and so forth?

Is this correct

 

[steve]

More like 90's can use 90's and 91+ can use any 91+.

Steve

 

[Royalty]

word