Firing from coil to cap

Hi,

This may sound crazy, but what I think is happening is this. When the spark has to jump (partially removed), it creates a hotter spark. I have a feeling the coil is weak.

Here are directions for checking the coil. The attached pic below includes the resistance specifications.

__________________

1994 Dodge or Ram Truck Dakota 2WD V8-318 5.2L
Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Vehicle Powertrain Management Ignition System Ignition Coil Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics
COMPONENT TESTS AND GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS
NOTE: The ignition coil is designed to operate without an external ballast resistor.

PROCEDURE
1. Inspect the coil for arcing. Test the coil according to coil tester manufacturer's instructions.

- Arcing at the tower will carbonize the nipple, which if it is connected to a new coil, will cause the coil to fail.

2. Test coil primary and secondary resistance. Replace any coil that does not meet specifications. Refer to the Coil Resistance chart.

3. If the ignition coil is being replaced, the secondary sparkplug cable must also be checked. Replace cable if it has been burned or damaged.

4. If a secondary cable shows any signs of damage, the cable should be replaced with a new cable and new terminal. Carbon tracking on the old cable can cause arcing and the failure of a new coil.

___________________________________

If the coil is bad, here are the directions for replacement. Pic 2 correlates with these directions.

__________________________________

1994 Dodge or Ram Truck Dakota 2WD V8-318 5.2L
Procedures
Vehicle Powertrain Management Ignition System Ignition Coil Service and Repair Procedures
PROCEDURES
Ignition Coil Location

pic 2

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect ignition coil cable from coil.
2. Disconnect engine harness connector from ignition coil.
3. Remove ignition coil mounting screws. Remove coil.

INSTALLATION

1. Install ignition coil to bracket on cylinder block with mounting screws.
2. Connect engine harness connector to coil.
3. Connect ignition coil cable to ignition coil.

_______________________________

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions. Also, note there is a pickup coil in the distributor that may be going bad as well.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe

Hi,

Are the coil and pick-up already new? If they are, let me know. Also, the title of your post says firing between coil to cap. You aren't seeing any spark jumping between the two, correct?

Let me know.

Joe

I know you replaced the distributor, but has the rotor been replaced as well? Making it jump like that creates a hotter spark. Something is shielding the power at some point.

I have another question. Does the coolant temp gauge work properly? We may have an issue where the ECT is causing the fuel mixture to be too rich which would require a hotter spark to burn. It's a theory at this point.

Joe