AMC Ignition System Control Unit & Sensor Check

Fig. 3 American Motors (Motorcraft) Solid State Ignition (SSI) System. V8-360 engines:

V8-360

1. Disconnect four wire connector at ignition control unit, then remove coil wire from distributor and hold approximately 1/2 inch from a good engine ground. Place ignition switch in the On position and note if spark is present at coil wire.
a. If spark is present at coil wire, proceed to step 2.
b. If spark is not present, proceed to step 5.
2. Using a suitable ohmmeter, measure resistance between terminals D2 and D3 of ignition control unit electrical connector, Fig. 3.
a. If resistance is 400 to 800 ohms, proceed to step 6.
b. If resistance is other than 400 to 800 ohms, proceed to step 3.
3. With ohmmeter connected between ignition control unit connector terminals D2 and D3, disconnect and reconnect distributor three wire connector and note ohmmeter reading.
a. If ohmmeter reading is now 400 to 800 ohms, proceed to step 6.
b. If ohmmeter still reads other than 400 to 800 ohms, disconnect three wire connector at distributor and proceed to step 4.
4. Connect ohmmeter between distributor connector terminals B2 and B3 and note reading.
a. If ohmmeter now indicates 400 to 800 ohms, check wiring between distributor three wire and ignition four wire connectors and repair or replace as necessary.
b. If ohmmeter indicates other than 400 to 800 ohms, replace pick up coil.
5. Connect ohmmeter between terminals D1 and battery negative cable.
a. If ohmmeter indicates 0 to .02 ohms, proceed to step 2.
b. If ohmmeter indicates above .02 ohms, check ground cable resistance, distributor to engine block resistance and distributor internal ground screw to terminal D1 for source of faulty ground.
6. Connect voltmeter between connector terminals D2 and D3, then turn ignition switch to Start position and note voltmeter needle movement.
a. If voltmeter needle is fluctuating, pick up coil and trigger wheel are operating properly.
b. If voltmeter needle does not fluctuate, check for missing trigger wheel pin, defective trigger wheel or other cause for distributor not rotating.