So on Friday my 2005 Mazda Tribute stopped running.

I was coming off an off ramp and the engine just stalled. When I try and restart it, the engine cranks but won't start.

First I checked if it is getting fuel by removing the fuel line and trying to start, fuel shot out as expected.

Now I'm trying to figure out if it is getting spark or not. I pulled the connectors off of the ignition coils. I am getting constant power on one side, and I expect to get a "ground pulse" on the other. when I measure that with a volt meter while cranking I see a pulse but with *very* low voltage (not sure if this is expected or not)

I also decided to attempt to test the coils I put the Ohm meter on the two prongs and there is no resistance. That leads me to think the coils fried. If so what would cause all 4 coils to fry together? Am I mis-understanding how these things work?

So experts, any advice on what I should look at next?

Thanks!
Chris McIntosh

 

<Highly> unlikely all 4 plugs or coils (or any combination), have failed in the same instant, look elsewhere. Common points are the battery live supply, earth/grounding and the ECU. Other single points would be crank or cam sensors, fuel pressure sensor etc. Best bet is to have the car scanned, it will tell you exactly what it thinks is wrong.