8-6 Chapter Ignition System Operation and Diagnosis

IGNITION SYSTEM SERVICE
TESTING AND REPAIR

 Evaluate the symptoms
– Narrow down possibilities
 Pinpoint to a specific engine system
– Compression
– Fuel
– Ignition
 Perform basic tests first
– Visually inspect
PRELIMINARY TESTS
 Look for obvious problems
– Loose Connections
– Cracked components
– Deteriorated/Burned components
– Inspect other systems
 Do you have a “dead cylinder”?
– Perform manual cylinder balance test
– RPM will change if cylinder is good
SPARK INTENSITY TEST
 Usually used with a No Start
 Can be used to test component integrity
 Install spark tester and observe spark
SPARK TEST RESULTS
 Spark should be a good strong spark
– Wide
– Bright blue
– Snapping electric arc
 Is it weak at one spark plug or all?
SPARK PLUG SERVICE
 Bad spark plugs can cause many
problems
– Misfiring
– Lack of Power
– Poor Fuel Economy
– Hard Starting
SPARK PLUG PROBLEMS
 Can become coated with ash, oil, and fuel
additives
 Electrodes can burn and widen gap
 Electrodes can deteriorate with age or
cylinder efficiency
SPARK PLUG REMOVAL
 Number wires to cylinders
 Grasp boot, not wire
 Blow debris from hole
 Do not mix up spark plugs
 Inspect “Read” spark plugs
SPARK PLUG SERVICE
 Clean spark plugs
 Gap spark plug to specifications
 Install Spark plugs
SECONDARY SERVICE
 Remove Spark Plug wire
 Test wire for high resistance
– Not over 10,000 ohms per foot
 Secondary insulation test
– Grounded Probe
– Spray water
– Look at wires at night
 Replacement of wires must be correctly
done
DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND
ROTOR
 Must visually inspect cap and rotor
 Can cause backfiring and misfire
 Carbon arcing can cause problems
 Cracks can cause problems
ELECTRONIC
DISTRIBUTOR SERVICE
 PICK UP COIL PROBLEMS
– Can cause misfire, stalling, no-start, hesitation
 PICK UP COIL TESTING
– Use ohmmeter
– Must measure to specifications
– Wiggle and Tap test pick up coil
– AC analog voltmeter test
– Lab Scope
PICK UP COIL SERVICE
 Follow procedures to replace
 Some ignition systems pick up coil air
gaps are adjustable
IGNITION TIMING
 Initial (or base) timing
 Must follow procedures
exactly! Check Spec’s
 Must set during tune up or if
distributor has been removed
 Must make sure advances not
working during adjustment!
IGNITION TIMING
ADJUSTMENT
 Disable ignition advances
 Hook up timing light
 Adjusting timing causes pickup coil and
electronic control unit to fire the ignition coil
sooner or later.
 Turning distributor housing against shaft
rotation advances timing
 Turning distributor housing with shaft rotation
retards timing
IGNITION TIMING
PROBLEMS
 TIMING MUST BE EXACT! VERY
IMPORTANT!
 Too far advanced will cause “Pinging”,
engine damage
 Too far retarded will cause low power,
poor mileage, engine damage
Tune-up Procedure
There is no standard tune-
up procedure, below are
listed certain things to
check for, all steps may not
be applicable to all cars.
Please check the
manufacturer’s
specifications.
 Always observe safety precautions such as;
 Hook up exhaust hoses or operate engine
outside.
 Remember that there are moving parts and
many parts of the engine and radiator that get
very hot keep hands, tools and clothing away
from these.
 Caution, Cooling fans can come on at any time.
 Fuel Pressure can be very high please relieve
system pressure.
 Block the drive wheels and apply the parking
brake.
 1. Check all fluid levels.
 2. Road test the vehicle if necessary
to verify certain problems.
 3. Inspect hoses and belts, and
replace as necessary.
 4. Check cooling fan operation.
 5. Inspect the general condition of
vacuum hoses and electrical wires.
 6. Clean battery terminals and check
cable condition.
 7. Perform battery load test, Check the
voltage and perform battery hydrometer
test if possible; determine battery
condition.
 8. Check alternator maximum output
and normal voltage setting; determine
charging system condition.
 9. Check starting motor current
draw; determine starting motor
condition.
 10. Perform compression test or
cylinder power balance test.
 11. Replace spark plugs.
 12. Test spark plug wires and replace
as required.
 13. Test and inspect distributor cap
and rotor, and replace as necessary.
(distributor type ignition system)
 14. Test maximum coil voltage;
replace coil if necessary.
 15. Check ignition timing; adjust if
necessary.
 16. Test fuel pump pressure; and
replace fuel filter.
 17. Check and replace air filter.
 18. Check heated air inlet system
operation.
 19. Check injector balance. If
carburetor, check choke and idle
operation.
 20. Inspect fuel system for leaks.
 21. Clean injectors if necessary or add
some fuel injector cleaner to the tank.
 22. Check emissions devices such as
PCV, EGR, and canister purge systems
for proper operation. (Replace PCV
filter or wash in approved solvent if
reusable)
 23. Check engine computer system for
fault codes. (Check operation of the O2
Sensor.)
 24. Check 4 gas operation make sure
it will pass an emission test.
 25. Road test the vehicle to be sure
there are no performance problems.
The End for this cap and
rotor

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IGNITION SYSTEM SERVICE

TESTING AND REPAIR

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