My wee cousin has just bought a 2001 Mk 2 punto 8 valve, which is running rough. I've had a wee look at it, and it appears that it's only running on two cylinders...one coil pack down. When I check for a spark, there is a very weak spark. Engine management light "on".

He has taken it to a diagnostics garage, and they confirmed that the coil pack drivers are faulty...new ECU required...ok. He also said it may be best to get one from a scrappies with the fuse box and key.

The question is..I thought these were plug and play? and does the imobiliser live in the fuse box. I thought this Punto would be too old for the synchronising between ECU and Immobiliser needed.

Any thoughts?

Right, the mk2's aint that complicated. Have you tried another coil pack on it? its not the first time that i've heard of a coil pack failing and would suggest why theres a weak spark.

i'd replace the weak coil pack first from a scrapper as a test, if there's a spark there at all, no matter how weak, the coils are getting driven. My cinq (same engine) did exactly the same at one stage.

as for ecu... the immobiliser (code box) lives under the dash. You'll need ecu, code box and keys. But coil pack would be my first port of call....

Thanks for the quick reply...I will try a coil pack, I take it that there all compatible within this engine range? Also would the engine management light be lit if there were a low output coil pack?

Any 8v FIRE will fit, so cinq/sei/punto 1.1/1.2 8V SPI or MPI of that generation.

Possibly could light it, it didn't on mine, but mine was only starting to go, that one sounds like it's coils are 90% dead.

When my EML did light it again also had a monumental misfire and the source was the blue intake temp sensor (blue plug, back if the inlet manifold, coil pack side, also worth a quick check by disconnecting and running the engine to see if there's a difference, they can throw up all sorts of firing and fueling issues if they die and do also light the EML, if dead, it's a 5 minute job to replace)

you could do what i done with my sei as i didnt want the hassle with swapping ecus and barrels and keys is get the ecu and a remap chip cost 12 bucks and is plug and play disables the immobiliser so dont have to change barrels and keys but try the coil pack first cheaper and easier