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2000 Lincoln ignition coil problems

I realize that there are other auto related groups to post this to but with so many talented techs on this one I thought I give this a try as well. My son bought a 2000 Lincoln. It has the familiar problem (I'm told) of oil leaks around the ignition coils and then subsequent failure of some of those coils. He plans to replace all the oil seals associated with this but first we cleaned all the coils and I checked them on the bench with an ohm meter and they all look the same. I realize of course that this is not conclusive though. These read like a standard three terminal auto transformer type of device, so can I assume that they function basically like a standard ignition coil? Can I apply 12V across the primary momentarily to induce the secondary field? I have a motor driven interrupter of sorts that would accomplish this. I read about a procedure on line apparently utilizing special Ford test equipment, (WDC COP) and it shows oscilloscope waveforms associated with the coils firing during test. It doesn't show a procedure or connection diagrams though. I contacted the manufacturer of the test equipment, Teradyne, but all they would tell me is that it is Ford test equipment and that the equipment as well as the procedures are proprietary. I would like to perform a similar test using my own scope. Has anyone done anything like this? I would imagine that you could use an inductive pickup similar to the type found on a timing light placed around the secondary lead. I could wind a coil if need be. Does anyone know if this would be a viable procedure, and if so the details of the coil? Thanks, Lenny

Reply to
klem kedidelhopper
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I would have though the usual fault was interlayer discharge within the HV windings. You can do a simple comparative test with just a neon and 100 Meg of resistance dropper. Strongest orange discharge glow ok , poor or non existant glow , bad

Reply to
N_Cook

"N_Cook" wrote in news:huaoud$pqq$ snipped-for-privacy@news.eternal-september.org:

I would think that oil would be an insulator. It's probably defective coil construction or problem with the plastic potting,like cracks admitting moisture. Maybe aftermarket coils would last longer.

If you want to use your o'scope,just lay your scope probe next to the coil,it will pick up the signal.no need to make any direct connection. I've done it with flybacks in TEKTRONIX equipment.

If there's a problem,you'll see a clipped waveform.

One more thing to try; Dick Smith's flyback tester.(FBT)

the same guy who created the marvelous DSE(now Anatek) ESR meter.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com
Reply to
Jim Yanik

The easiest thing to do is swap the coils and see if the problem moves with the coil. I agree with Jim, it is most likely a potting problem and an aftermarket coil will resolve it.

Tom

Reply to
tm

You kind of are over thinking this.

I have a 97 Lincoln with the coil-on-plugs, with the associated ocassional oil leak, but you are better off getting a OBD2 tester and let the onboard computer tell you the bad ones.

It'll spit back the exact "cylinder misfire on ...".

Off hand, failure of them I don't think is related to the oil problem. I've had two of those coils fail so far and the last one was dry as a bone even though it was drivers side closest to the firewall and the 1st plug closest to the radiator was completely submerged, that one was fine.

I just sop out the oil with twisted paper towels every once in a while (2 or

3 years) and just keep on going.

Unless you are topping out the oil every time you fill up, it's probably not worth bothering to fix, if it can be fixed at all. I've seen guys say they went through the trouble of replacing the valve cover gaskets with the problem returning in 6 months or so.

Seems to me like it's a few drops a month which eventually fills up the chamber the plug sits in, but like I said, once in a while just sop out the excess with a twisted paper towel and it'll be fine.

The replacement made-in-china coils are only around $30 anyway.

Also if you haven't stumbled into it, try this site:

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Although it's for Mark VIII owners (which was stopped in 1998), there are quite a few discussions about this matter on there that might be helpful.

-bruce snipped-for-privacy@ripco.com

Reply to
Bruce Esquibel

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