Well I finally got my drag hatch to the track and I'm having a weird ignition issue. If the car is cooled down it will start and run fine everytime. If I make a full pass and get it to running temperature or hot the car will not start after its shut off. I have to arc a plug wire like I'm checking for spark and it will fire immediately as soon as it arcs. Very seldom will it not start like that, wait five mins and do it again and it does. I am leaning towards the ignitor because of the arc to start but I also know weak coils give up with heat. The car has never quit while running either. Has anyone ever dealt with something like this before and what was the cure. Trying to get suggestions before I start replacing stuff, thanks.

 

How/where are you making the arc. The coil's probably the most likely suspect. Try getting one from a parts store, save the receipt and just take it back if it doesn't fix the problem.

 

On a close by ground with a screwdriver.

 

Is the engine properly grounded? Esp. tranny to ground strap? Might sound silly but easy to answer. I would doubt an igniter because you can arc it to start it. Coils are more known for their winding's ability to "open" with heat. The coils ability may be weakened then and by creating that large gap with the screwdriver the coil must fully energize which is enough to overcome that internal open.

 

I probably have 4 good solid grounds on the motor to the chassis. I will note that the ground runs to the rear of the car on a switch though if that matters.

 

Just to make sure I understand, you arc a plug wire to the ground and while you have one spark plug disconnected and not firing, the motor will start?

 

It will try to start as opposed to just cranking. I can put the wire back on and start it up and run fine after that.

 

It's starting to sound like the plug wires. Once again, see if you can get ahold of a returnable set to test the theory.

 

It is something with the ignition switch. My 98 prelude cut out on me in the middle of I-10 in Houston Texas. I caused a huge backup!

 

The car has a moroso switch panel so no ignition switch.

 

Wait, what???
What exactly do you mean, "the ground runs to the rear of the car on a switch though"?

Is the batt. relocated to the trunk/hatch, and a ground cable is run, through a switch, to the front of the car?
If so, why? 94