Attention! Due to the very high voltage generated in the ignition system, the maintenance of its components must be carried out with extreme care. This note applies not only to the main components of the electronic ignition system, but also to all related components, including spark plug wire tips, tachometer and other diagnostic equipment.
1. If the ignition system malfunctions, before proceeding with the diagnosis of the distributor condition, perform the following preliminary checks:
- a) Check the condition of the battery terminal connections and the reliability of the tightening of the clamps for attaching the wire lugs to them;
- b) Check Battery Status (see Section Checking the condition and replacing the battery), if necessary, replace it;
- c) Check the external condition of the BB wires of the distributor and the ignition coil and the reliability of their fastening to the terminals;
- d) With the appropriate configuration, check the condition of the fusible inserts in the mounting block located in the engine compartment of the vehicle (see chapter Onboard electrical equipment). Replace burned out elements.
2. Check up serviceability of spark formation on spark plugs. If the engine cranks but does not start, disconnect the BB wire from one of the spark plugs and connect it to a special calibrated tester (ask at car accessories stores). Fasten the tester clamp to a bolt or metal bracket of the engine block, thus reliably grounding it to ground. If you don't have a calibrated ignition tester handy, disconnect the wire from the spark plug and, holding it with a pair of pliers with securely insulated handles, pull the rubber tip up the wire and run the terminal to a well-grounded point on the block to a distance of approximately 6.4 mm. When turning the engine between the electrode and the body of the tester / terminal of the BB wire and the ground, a clearly visible spark of bright blue color should jump.
3. If the spark breaks through properly and its intensity is not in doubt, repeat the test for the BB wires of the remaining spark plugs. This check allows you to confirm the serviceability of the cover and the distributor slider, without excluding, however, the possibility of failure of the candles themselves, so unscrew the latter and check their condition in accordance with the chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance description of this guide.
4. If there is no spark, remove the distributor cap and check its condition, as well as the condition of the slider (see chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance). If there are traces of moisture, carefully wipe the surfaces of the cover and slider with a clean, dry rag, then replace the cover and repeat the spark test;
5. If the removal of moisture did not lead to a correction of the situation (sparking is still insufficiently intense or absent at all), on V6 models, disconnect the secondary coil wire from the distributor cap and connect the ignition tester to it (do not forget to connect the BB wires to all candles). Repeat the above test procedure.
Note. In the absence of an ignition tester at hand, an alternative test of the coil wire is carried out in the same way as in the case of BB wires of spark plugs by bringing the terminal to ground at a distance of about 6.4 mm.
6. If there is no sparking on 4-cylinder models, check the condition of the spring and the contact carbon button inside the distributor cap for traces of burnout and mechanical damage. if necessary, replace the distributor cap.
7. If normal sparking occurs this time, therefore, the cause of the failure lies in the malfunction of the distributor cap, its runner or the corresponding spark plug wires (see chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance).
8. In the absence of sparking and at this stage, you should proceed to checking the contact connections of the primary circuit of the ignition coil, - evaluate the condition and reliability of fastening the terminals. Check the correctness of the primary voltage supply to the coil from the ignition switch / lock, for which measure the voltage on the positive side of the coil.
Note. Due to the fact that on 4-cylinder models the ignition coil is built into the distributor, you will have to remove the cover from the latter, disconnect the wires from the coil, then check for battery voltage at the black and yellow wire terminal. Make the necessary corrections, then recheck.
9. If there is voltage on the coil, but there is still no sparking, measure the resistance of the primary and secondary windings of the coil (see Section Checking the condition and replacing the ignition coil). In the event of breaks (infinite ohmmeter reading), replace the coil.
10. If the coil is in order, the correct operation of the ignition control module (ICM) (see Section Check of serviceability of functioning and replacement of the module of management of ignition (ICM)).
11. Further checks of the PGM-IG system should be left to a specialist.