Re: I'll stick my neck out...
I've had several members asking about the coils. Here's today's message and my answer.
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My Cruiser has had an ignition problem off and on for about 10 months for which the coil has been changed 3 times and who knows how many spark plugs and wires. We thought our problem was corrected 10 months ago but alas it has returned.
To make a long story short, the latest occurrence was diagnosed by my mech as being caused by an oil filled #1 plug tube possibly shorting out the secondary. After the oil problem was fixed and new wires and plugs were installed, plus an injector/induction cleaning was performed it ran fine...until I took it for a test drive. The mech cleared the codes. Sorry I don't remember the original codes, but they were ignition related. Anyway, I took it for a drive with all being okay for a half mile and the check engine light came on and the car wouldn't pull itself out of a water puddle. I managed to limp it back to my mech. The new code is a P2302 saying the #1 has insufficient ionization possibly caused by blah, blah, blah.
Got any ideas? As mentioned the coil, plugs, and wires were changed today...again. And we are not using OEM.
I've read your messages and have seen no mention of anyone using the Chrysler factory DRB-III scanner to actually look at the datastream. Not one in any forum post has ever referred to test results from oscilloscope testing the waveforms.
Without REAL test data, throwing parts at it or looking for a Silver Bullet online is not the answer.
I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it's the only way to fix the car.
As the only tech in my area with factory dealer scanners, an automotive degree, and an electronics degree, I get these kind of complaints all the time from other garages and even dealerships. I fix what they can't.
I have also worked for more than 100 different PT Cruiser owners in 3 different countries. Add to that, over 1000 tech questions answered by me at PTdiy.net........ and I can tell you that not one single coil pack has needed replacement for a coil failure. It's always something else causing the concern.
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