Starting Car

[mbrad]

Thanks for taking the time to read my question.

My title may seem a bit misleading, but I do, in fact, know how to start my car

Depending on the weather, my car runs differently. Cold or wet days, it sputters a lot and it takes a while for that to go away. On warm / hot days (25 degrees C and up) it starts and runs fine.

Any ideas on the cause? I had a friend suggest that it may be the fuel pump or the coil pack. Does that sound right? I tested the fuel pump by opening the gas cap and the flap and listened for the pump while someone else started the car. I heard the pump.

Thanks again,

Brad

[deadBird]

If it's moisture related, it's likely to be the coil packs. Replace both along with your wires & plugs while yer at it.

[Dark Drake]

yeah cxheck coil pack

[mbrad]

Cool! Coil Pack etc it is. Is that a part you can usually get at an auto wrecker? What should they usually cost (CDN$)?

For interest sake, what does a Coil Pack do?

Thanks so much for the replies.

Have a great day,

Brad

[MacAttack]

I suggest you buy a new one. Coil packs eventually die, just like the old distributor cap and rotors used to. Just part of the normal maintenance/tune-up on your car.

[Chekmate]

You coil pack is basically a capacitor... it stores a charge until the computer tells it to send the charge out your spark plug wire to your plug. You ECM controls which terminal on the coil pack fires and when. Hence your firing order of your cylinders. Most of todays coil packs hold a charge of 15,000 - 30,000 volts. HEI systems (High Energy Ignition) usually run 30,000-45,000 volts. You DO NOT want to pull a plug wire off a plug while the engine is running. Most automotive shops can hook your car up to a "scope" and tell you if your coil pack is bad, or if your plugs or wires, are bad. Diagnostic price is cheaper here than buying parts that arent needed. I would try to get a shop to scope it during the temperatures that is messing up.

[mbrad]

Very good point!

Thanks for the advice, and for explaining what a coil pack is.

I'll get my car checked.

Have a great day,

Brad