What causes no spark in a car

What causes no spark in a car

Most times misfiring is a common problem that might take time to diagnose, depending on the cause. Whenever an engine misfires, one or more cylinders have failed to fire properly, either because of ignition or fuel-related issues. No spark in a car is accompanied by a loss of power directly to the severity of the misfire.

A lot of people are highly dependent on their vehicles these days. Sometimes car engines fail to start when it is needed. Whenever a car engine cranks but doesn’t start, then it is likely that there is no spark from its distributor.

Sometimes while idling, the engine may shake so badly that vibrations can be felt throughout the vehicle. Your engine may be running poorly and also; one or more cylinders may be misfiring. Also, the check engine light may come on or keep flashing.

But the most common cause for a misfire is an issue that is related to the ignition system. also, misfiring can be caused by loss of spark; an imbalanced air/fuel mixture; or loss of compression.

Today’s article will focus on finding what causes no spark in a car. And note that loss of spark is caused by anything that prevents coil voltage from jumping the electrode gap at the end of the spark plug. However, this includes worn, bad plug wires, fouled or damaged spark plugs, or a cracked distributor cap.

But sometimes misfiring may not be caused by no spark in a car, but by incorrect sparking or by high-voltage electrical leaks.

So No Spark From The Distributor: So Why Does it Happen?

A lot of car owners face trouble getting their vehicles’ engines to start. This is because it is imperative to confirm that the car engine has no spark. However, ensure to start with a fully charged battery before proceeding with testing.

Note that you will be required to disable the fuel system and put a spark plug tester. You will need to seek a person to crank the engine and look for spark.

After you have confirmed and is clear that the engine has no spark, then the second step is finding the reason. Below are what causes no spark in a car.

  • The Crankshaft Position 

The first thing, check if there is any broken or loose wire connecting sensors to the power control module. Your Crankshaft position sensor can assist you find the issue with the crankshaft. The sensor tracks the rotational speed of the crankshaft. So if the sensor stops working, it will fail to send a signal to ECU.

  • Little Issue with Ignition Module 

Whenever you are unable to start your car, you need to examine the ignition modules. The transistor helps these solid-state switching devices to control current flow and switching on and off with the primary winding of an ignition coil. Meaning, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that they act as mechanical points.

A loose, broken, or corroded wires in the ignition module can cause no spark in a car from the distributor. So cleaning oxidized terminals and replacing broken wires is a good decision.

  • Having Problem with Ignition Coil

Your ignition coil turns the weak battery power into a powerful spark. But sometimes a car runs for some time, and then the engine stops working. Also, a faulty ignition coil could be a sign of such an issue in the vehicle. Because of the increase in the temperature of the ignition coil or module, this issue arises.This is because an issue with the ignition coil results in the vehicle failing to start.

  • A Cracked Distributor Cap

Inspecting the distributor cap is paramount whenever a vehicle stalls suddenly and fails to start again. So check whether the inside or outside has some dirt. This is because it ought to be rust or corrosion-free. And besides, consider checking the working of the rotor and cracks on the distributor cap.

  • A Faulty Ignition Switch 

Your car’s ignition switch is the weakest part of a vehicle’s ignition system. we have three positions in the ignition switch, which you will notice after inserting the key. Note that when switching to the “ON” position, the dashboard lights bright up. But if they fail to light up, it could be a sign of a bad ignition switch.

 

Here is how to fix it

Note that it’s far more likely that there is a problem with a wire, ground, connector, or switch than an actual ignition system component. You shouldn’t focus on a single item until your testing indicates that the item may be faulty.

What causes a car to lose power when acceleratinghttps://kctimoauto.com/what-causes-a-car-to-lose-power-when-accelerating/

The First Thing Is To Confirm Your Engine Has No Spark.

  • Now disable the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse or relay.
  • Then insert a spark plug tester into the plug boot and ground it on a piece of metal on the engine.
  • Then finally, find someone to crank the engine and watch for spark.

But if the engine has a coil-on-plug ignition system with no plug wires:

  • Then remove one of the coils from the spark plug.
  • Then use an extra spark plug.
  • Use a spark plug tester, or even a screwdriver at the end of the coil.
  • Then ground it on a piece of metal on the engine.
  • Now have someone to crank the engine and watch for a spark.

A no spark in a car indicates an ignition problem.

While in some extreme cases, the (PCM) may have failed. And in some, the (PCM) problem will cause the car not to run at all. Note that the (PCM’s) functions include the positioning of the crankshaft and controlling the ignition spark and timing. Meaning if there are problems with how the (PCM) performs these functions, the vehicle may not run.

 

 

Conclusion on what causes no spark in a car

As said earlier, a lot of people face the problem of getting their car engine to start. A no spark in a car or from the distributor can be due to the above reasons. So we recommend taking your car to an expert because they can diagnose the problem and solve the issue immediately.