Tools - Introduction Of The Fuel Injector Tester
NO.: 93-I-39DATE: June, 1993
GROUP: 6
CORP. NO.: 316501R
SUBJECT:
INFORMATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FUEL INJECTOR TESTER TOOL J - 39021
This bulletin is being revised to add information about the coil test and a list of driveability problems.
In February, 1993, Kent-Moore shipped a new Fuel Injector Tester, tool J-39021, as part of the Essential Tool Program. This tool has the capability of performing injector balance and coil tests on all GM and many non-GM fuel injection systems. The injector balance test is one familiar to most technicians where fuel pressure drop is measured as an injector is energized for a set period of time. This fuel pressure drop is compared to that of the other injectors in the vehicle or a published standard.
The injector coil test is a new test whereby the injector's resistance is measured during normal gperation by feeding a fixed current through the injector and measuring the voltage across the injector. Injector coil failures are more accurately detected using this method than by simply measuring the injectors resistance with an ohmmeter. Refer to the instructions included with the tool for testing procedures.
This tool, and the injector coil test specifically, were developed to detect deterioration of injector coils due to the introduction of injector cleaners and fuel blends containing high levels of alcohol. Alcohol and water carried by the alcohol may attack and corrode injector coils resulting in a change in coil resistance and one or more of the following driveability symptoms:
^ rough idle
^ engine miss/surge
^ stall after start/hard start
^ fails emission test
^ poor fuel economy
^ exhaust odor
The injector coil test procedure also requires the use of the Digital Voltmeter, J-39200, to measure the voltage across the injector during the test. The Fuel Injector Tester, J-39021, supplies one of three fixed current values throughout the duration of the test. Selection of the supply current value (0.5, 2.5, or 4.0 amps) is based on the injector's specified resistance. When the push-to-start-test button is pressed, the tool energizes the injector coil for five seconds. The condition of the injector coil (pass/fail) is determined by the voltage reading displayed on the voltmeter while the injector is energized. Instructions and specifications for most GM fuel injectors are included with the tool.