IGNITION SYSTEM SERVICE

1. IGNITION SYSTEM SERVICE

2. TESTING AND REPAIR • Evaluate the symptoms • Narrow down possibilities • Pinpoint to a specific engine system • Compression • Fuel • Ignition • Perform basic tests first • Visually inspect

3. 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

4. SPARK INTENSITY TEST • Usually used with a No Start • Can be used to test component integrity • Install spark tester and observe spark

5. 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?

6. SPARK PLUG SERVICE • Bad spark plugs can cause many problems • Misfiring • Lack of Power • Poor Fuel Economy • Hard Starting

7. 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

8. 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

9. SPARK PLUG SERVICE • Clean spark plugs • Gap spark plug to specifications • Install Spark plugs

10. 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

11. DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR • Must visually inspect cap and rotor • Can cause backfiring and misfire • Carbon arcing can cause problems • Cracks can cause problems

12. 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

13. PICK UP COIL SERVICE • Follow procedures to replace • Some ignition systems pick up coil air gaps are adjustable

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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

17. Tune-up Procedure

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.)

26. 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.

27. The End for this cap and rotor