Thread: 2005 V8 HSE Multiple Faults and getting to know the gap tool

Dont Panic. I got it out and repaired it. Needed a good clean. The trick is to not focus on the dial and levers, they dont release the circuit board at the back. The circuit board clips out easily once you play a little.

Good morning everyone. Last night i had 2 cylinders start miss firing. 6&5. I'm looking at the circuit diagrams now and I dont see anything that's common between them. Am i reading it right that the control module sends out a low voltage signal which tells the coil to fire? So distribution is achieved by the control module. So to test it I need a test light not a multi meter as I wont see the pulse?

Originally Posted by timdo1

So to test it I need a test light not a multi meter as I wont see the pulse?

You won't see the pulse with a test light either. You need an oscilloscope.

OK. I'll test by putting a new plug in the coil pack and grounding it out. That will tell me a tale. I don't have a 5/8spark plug socket so that's a tomorrow problem now.

Bit of a bummer, car was doing so well, thought I had it beat.

Thanks for the reply.

I don't know anything about the V8. Can you swap coils around?

Edit: I just realised I have the workshop manual and yes you can. Have you tried moving the sus coils to other cylinders and see if the misfire follows?

I've diagnosed plenty of issues with COP assemblies by shuffling around to locate the dud/duds in the past.

Having now found details on the coils, you might well see action with a test light if it's fast enough. The power stage is in the ECU and the coil on plug is only a coil.

Thanks. I pulled plugs this morning and replaced, they were all pretty much gone.

Got it all for back up but it's still missing. I've checked all the connections and nothing is loose. Problem is it's not reporting a fault on the gap tool. Computer says everything fine, which is odd. I'm going to drive it around to see if I can fault it.

The miss isn't as bad as it was. I'm wondering if I still have a coil that's on it's way out? I ordered 2 coil packs from ritters and they are supposed to be there today. I might have to start testing and swapping individual packs. Some of them especially 8 and 7 are impossible to get the plugs off. So that's going to be fun.

Timdo, gap tool struggles to pick up cylinder misfires on the petrol motors, I use another tool for the petrols but you should be able to use any generic reader ( ELM 327 etc ) which will tell you which coil packs are faulty.
If you don't have access to another reader, start pulling the connectors off with engine idling to find the one that doesn't make any difference .

I havent had pOwer or phone all day so thanks for the reply, sorry for my late response.

The gap tool picked up misfires in the live values bit. Cylinder 5 was basically not operating. Ritters had ordered 2 coils in for me, so I installed 1 and she fired straight up. Much smoother, power is there and the gear changes are now better. All the spark plugs were stuffed. Not much left on them at all.

Thanks again for the help and direction everyone. I passed my roadworthy on Wednesday. Just need to polish headlights and get rid of the check engine light which is fan 3 control circuit low. Haven't figured that out yet. Tonight's research perhaps.

Next big thing is transmission service, roof rack, car service, air con re gas and a working key. As long as the tranny is ok, I've had a big win with this thing.

In the meantime it will work this weekend dragging a trailer down to he peninsula for some work. Lets see what new things go wrong. 😉