Permanent fault. 2 ignition coil control. No spark

[Deanoz]

Hi all,

Peugeot 206 GTI 140 (yr: 1999)

1. Car is on 37k miles with around 15 main dealer services. Cambelt and water pump changed at 29k in 2020.

2. Has been running ok during my 12 month ownership aside from erratic idling when parked. Temp goes to about a 100deg and engine seems to be struggling to breathe, if that makes sense. splutters to the pointing of cutting out but settles once the temp drops back to 90. I have noticed it can be a little bit jerky at low speeds but put this down to a bad lower engine mount.

3. Lower engine mount is shot. It clunks when going around corners slowly, e.g. in car parks. It needs changing.

4. I came back from a drive 3 weeks ago and everything was normal. The next day, started it up and it sounded really bad like it was misfiring and EML came on. I set off on my journey hoping it would perk up but it was really down on power and barely driveable so i did a swift u-turn back home.

5. I decided to fit a new coil pack (Valeo), Bosch spark plugs (FR8SC+) and cleaned and tested all of the injectors using carb clearner and a kit hooked up to the battery. This was prior to scanning it with Peugeot Planet as i was waiting for my Lexia cable to arrive from Alipexpress.

6. I've run a check on PP2000 and have the error message above "Permanent fault. 2 ignition coil control. No spark". I also had 3 ABS sensor errors that i (stupidly??) cleared and they have come back. I tried clearing all the codes but the ".....2 ignition coil" msg when came back and the car is running just as rough.

7. I'm a complete novice at PP2000, but i noticed on the live data that the downstream oxygen sensor was reading 0MV. Final thing, it now smells of unburnt fuel when i start it. I haven't driven it for the past 3 weeks.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4sKQfLJyUtFyfQzc7 (brief video of it running)

Would be grateful if anyone has any idea what's wrong with it?

[RichardW]

Does it have individual coils?

[wheeler]

Looking at the video it looks like a single coil pack.
Does it even have a downstream oxygen sensor? would have thought 1999 would have been a bit early for that?

[wurlycorner]

Not familiar with that fault message (can you tell us the actual code that it stores, rather than then description)?
But on the basis of how it's running in the video and the description, I'd interpret it as not running on cylinder 2.

I suggest a very basic check next - pull the spark plugs and inspect them.
Firstly that will confirm for sure which cylinder is faulty (the defective one will likely be black/wet rather than the 'biscuit brown' of the others) and secondly, it may be as simple as a failed plug! It's entirely possible that at that low a mileage, it's still on its original plugs (after 26 years) and one has simply given up the ghost now?

[Deanoz]

Does it have individual coils?

It has a coil pack

[Deanoz]

Looking at the video it looks like a single coil pack.
Does it even have a downstream oxygen sensor? would have thought 1999 would have been a bit early for that?

yes, it's a single coil pack.

I don't think it does but i will have a look and report back.

[Deanoz]

Not familiar with that fault message (can you tell us the actual code that it stores, rather than then description)?
But on the basis of how it's running in the video and the description, I'd interpret it as not running on cylinder 2.

I suggest a very basic check next - pull the spark plugs and inspect them.
Firstly that will confirm for sure which cylinder is faulty (the defective one will likely be black/wet rather than the 'biscuit brown' of the others) and secondly, it may be as simple as a failed plug! It's entirely possible that at that low a mileage, it's still on its original plugs (after 26 years) and one has simply given up the ghost now?

I can't seem to get a code from Peugeot Planet, i was certainly hoping for one to narrow it down. I've clicked through as far as i can on the fault "Permanent fault. 2 ignition coil control. No spark" and all the last screen states is "Before carrying out any fault finding operations, check that there is no siliconated grease on the connectors. If there is grease present, use electric cleaner (part no: 97312C)".

Btw, I fitted 4 new Bosch plugs a couple of weeks ago.

[wurlycorner]

Ah ok, unlikely to be the plugs then. It's still worth looking at the plugs though, to try and work out which cylinder it is that has the issue.

Must be honest with the odd engine temps, I am also wondering if this may be a head gasket issue - blowing into one cylinder, or gradually leaking into that cylinder when left parked. Looking at the plugs may help narrow that down as well (if the iffy one isn't black/wet with fuel/biscuit coloured but very clean then it could indicate coolant in the combustion of that cylinder).

[PaulC5]

Just to check it is not a faulty plug, swap a couple of them over - I once had a misfire fault on a car and it turned out one of the new plugs I had put on was faulty but if the fault was there before you put the new ones on this is unlikely. Also bear in mind, Citroen tend to number their cylinders from the gear box end and not the timing belt end like all other manufacturers. Make sure the coil pack wiring connection is in good condition and its wiring plus any earth connection (our 2003 1.4 petrol C3 had one at the gear box end of the coil pack which could break).

With plugs out have a look inside the cylinders - if one is clean it might suggest a head gasket fault with coolant leaking in.

When the temperature gets to 100°C is the engine fan running - it ought to come on around 96°C.

[Deanoz]

Update: I've managed to get the car running normally again!

I carried out some tests on the coil pack by checking for spark on each coil and there wasn't any spark. I tested the coils on the good cylinders (2 and 3) but both were not sending a spark to the plug, which struck me as odd as cylinders 1 and 4 were not firing before judging by the carbon the plugs. It was only when i had one of the plugs in my hand that I noticed the terminal nut was loose. This and another were completely loose so i tightened them up and hey presto, it jumped back to life firing on all 4 cylinders.

A huge thanks to all who helped. Wurlycorner and PaulC5 you were certainly right about checking the plugs! Such a simple fix that's drove me up the wall. Anyway, at least the car is back to good health.

I still don't understand why the spark plug terminal nuts are adjustable though.....

[wurlycorner]

Fantastic news - and yes always worth checking the tops are tight before fitting!

I think the screw on top terminal is a hang over from back when some cars (maybe there are some vehicles that still do?) had HT leads that you would tighten down with a nut onto the plug rather than push on.

[Deanoz]

I've certainly learnt my lesson now

Thanks for letting me know what's for.