General Discussion Off-Topic Discussion and Enlightenment

Quick question about spark color

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-12-2007, 04:32 PM
  #1  
3.0 BAR
Thread Starter
 
stenseltizm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,588
Default Quick question about spark color

got a 97 chevy cavalier 2.2 that won't run. has the basic 3: fuel/spark/compression

only thing I can see weird is the spark is yellow/orange when I assume it should be white/blue. Makes me think the spark is too weak maybe?

what would I check, coils? power to the coils? ground on the coils?

I know I know, cavaliers are girls cars... but the car is for my girl so its not so bad and it was dirt cheap

Thanks guys
stenseltizm is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 05:41 PM
  #2  
0.0 BAR
 
Bone1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

all 4 four plugs like that or just 1/2, one coil pack could be bad.
Bone1 is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 06:03 PM
  #3  
3.0 BAR
Thread Starter
 
stenseltizm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,588
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

all 4 are the same

plugs were brand new i was told and they look it, regaped to .060 factory spec

coils and wires look factory 150k ones

injector leads lit up an LED

pulled the fuel reg and got fuel

cranked without plugs and got puffs of fuel out the plug holes
stenseltizm is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 07:44 PM
  #4  
3.0 BAR
 
RotaryGeek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,753
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

sounds like weak coils to me. try new ones and post back.
RotaryGeek is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 09:30 PM
  #5  
0.5 BAR
 
79fairmont's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

Check compression, could be a broken timing chain.
79fairmont is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 10:34 PM
  #6  
1.5 BAR
 
absolutezroo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Westminster,MD
Posts: 1,032
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

Originally Posted by 79fairmont
Check compression, could be a broken timing chain.
are you being serious right now?
absolutezroo is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 10:35 PM
  #7  
1.0 BAR
 
GodJockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 489
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

Originally Posted by RotaryGeek
sounds like weak coils to me. try new ones and post back.
Also might want to replace the distributor can and wires while your at it.
It does sound like a weak spark.
GodJockey is offline  
Old 12-12-2007, 11:01 PM
  #8  
0.0 BAR
 
Smith-02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 0
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

gap that spark down to .030, try again. if it doesnt go bluer.. weak coil for sure.
Smith-02 is offline  
Old 12-13-2007, 12:02 AM
  #9  
3.0 BAR
 
88dx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,838
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

Originally Posted by GodJockey
Also might want to replace the distributor can and wires while your at it.
It does sound like a weak spark.
haha good luck with that.

Try spraying starting fluid down the TB and see if it trys too fire, could be bad gas was the car sitting?
88dx is offline  
Old 12-13-2007, 10:11 AM
  #10  
3.0 BAR
Thread Starter
 
stenseltizm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,588
Default Re: Quick question about spark color

Compression was 110-120 on all 4 cyl and it has been sitting for a couple weeks at least. Wouldn't start for the last owner and he just parked it.

Gauge was just about on E, so I threw a couple gallons of gas and a fuel line dryer in the tank the other day

It kicked every once in a while when crankin it with the yellow spark.

Put 2 new coil packs and new plug wires on it yesterday, sparks bright blue now. It kicks more often now like it wants to start but won't.
stenseltizm is offline  


Quick Reply: Quick question about spark color



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:38 PM.