Does anyone know how long the ignition can be safely left on (engine not running) without damaging the coil pack on a Mk1 1.8. I am taking mine in to have the immobiliser rewired and I would like to advise the guy who is doing it to not leave the ignition on too long while he is working on it, as I have heard stories of coils burning out due to this.
The stories will be true. Ignorant garages often to blame.
1840cc packs are more delicate. No idea how long before it fries but I’ll hazard a safety guess at seconds not minutes.
Most (later) cars, have a safety cut-out in the ECU. It’s seriously unusual for a car with electronic ignition not to have this feature.
If it was an old-fashioned coil, no good mechanic would dream of leaving it on…but they can be forgiven in this case as it’s such a silly design.
Left my Mk2 on overnight and had to jump start in the morning say August 2009.
It started but was missing for a moment or two.
About two or three times in the next month or so when starting from hot it would miss for 30 or 40 seconds after starting.
A few weeks later it would not start at lunchtime at work.
It started later in the evening and missed the whole way home 30 miles.
At the 2010 MOT the emmisions were well up on March 2009.
At the 2011 MOT it was right on the limit. It failed at the 2012 MOT.
So do not leave the ignition on.
eddie
I asked a question on this very subject on 11th. July 2012. I was told by a Mazda technician that later Mk.2 and 2.5 had a cut out or other provision to prevent the coils being burnt out if the ignition was left on. I never received a difinitive answer, apart from Mazda-mender who said it was rubbish!
Regards Geoff Peace.
Geoff
My MK2 was put together, I think about October to November 1998 and delivered to it’s first owner in the UK in April 1999. It does not have the change to the boot lock that later 1999 cars have. It could be at that date that the cutout was put in the ECU, if it ever was!
I had to replace the coil pack.
I don’t think any of the MK1 or MK2 cars have this feature and I would argue from the number of coil replacements supplied for the MK2.5 1.8i(MK2 and MK2.5 1.6i are the same) that this car did not have a clever coil protection system either. Perhaps the MK3, 3.5 cars?
If anyone with the required technical knowledge could reply to the thread it would be appreciated.
I have been looking at my manuals today, (2002 and 2004 years) In the 2004 manual there is a supplement which states ‘This section explains the engine electrical system of the new MX-5. The circuit of ignition fail signal from the ignition control module (B6) or the ignition coil (BP) to the engine control module has been eliminated and the ignition control module (B6)/ignition coil (BP) has an empty terminal instead’. Unfortunately the section does not go on to ‘explain’ the system on the ‘new’ MX-5 whatever that may be, nor does it give any dates or VIN numbers for guidance. It would appear from the diagram that the ignition control module is the igniter and is integral with the coilpacks. It also mentions SGC and SGT signals but no explanation! Clearly there have been changes to the ignition system but what and when are not shown. The wiring diagram shows both coils having a 12v. fused supply from the ignition switch, a wire to earth and a connection to the PCM, terminals 3I and 3F which I would presume is the trigger signal to activate the coil. The PCM may, or may not incorporate a means of not activating the coils unless it detects that the engine is turning. Most other cars have such a device, surely Mazda should have fitted one by 2004? Maybe, maybe not! If anyone can supply any further information I would be very interested.
Regards Geoff Peace.
I think only the 1.8 ltr Mk2.5 got the two separate coil packs which would be the new ignition system and the 1.6 Mk2.5 used the same two packs in one unit that the Mk2 1.6 had.
So maybe only the 1.8 Mk2.5 got the possible cutout if one was ever fitted or maybe they both got it.
If it is wired into a permanent live, it cannot be switched by a signal. It would need its own relay to implement a function for the ECU to switch them on/off.
Sorry to correct you on this but all coil packs for the pre MK3 cars have two similar coil units, each serving two cylinders. The MK2.5 1.8i is different because the coil units are not held in a cradle like all the other cars but mounted separately on the cam cover. I believe all the coilpacks include the igniter apart from the MK1/Eunos 1.6i.
IIRC the MK3 on cars have single cylinder pencil coils. Not heard of any problems with these so perhaps they are more sophisticated.
Not a problem Rhino.
Read my post again and you will see that I said the same thing.
Mk2 both 1.6 and 1.8 one physical unit with two coil packs included. Same with the Mk2.5 l.6 and the two coil packs are separate on the Mk2.5 1.8.
I did not add that each pack feeds two cylinders.