Spark Test

Fig. 1 Moving projection of signal rotor:

Fig. 2 Moving screwdriver tip in & out through gap between governor base & housing:

1985 - 88 4-109.5/1.8L & 4-155.9/2.6L Turbocharged Engines
1. Disconnect coil wire high tension lead from distributor cap and hold wire approximately .2 - .4 inches away from cylinder block, then crank engine. Check spark condition. If no spark is produced, proceed to step 2. If spark is produced, check distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition timing. If the engine cannot be cranked, disconnect coil wire high tension lead from distributor cap and hold wire approximately .2 - .4 inches away from cylinder block, then crank engine. Check spark condition. If no spark was produced, proceed to step 2. If spark was produced, check distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition timing. If the engine cannot be cranked, proceed with methods a through c as follows:
a. Hold high tension wire as previously described in step 1. Remove distributor cap, turn rotor in direction of engine rotation (clockwise) by hand until rotor contacts stop then return to its original position. Spark can be produced by moving the projection of the signal rotor close to the stator, Fig. 1.
b. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Using a suitable screwdriver, quickly move screwdriver in and out through gap between governor base and housing, Fig. 2. This will also produce spark.
c. Remove distributor from engine (do not disconnect primary cable). While holding distributor housing in contact with engine (to complete ground circuit), turn distributor shaft, this will produce spark when engine is cranked.
2. With ignition switch in ON position, measure voltage of negative terminal on ignition coil. If measured voltage indicates battery voltage, proceed to step 3. If 3 volts or less is obtained, distributor is defective. If zero volts is obtained, ignition coil wiring is open or defective.
3. Remove original ignition coil and install a new coil. Repeat test as described in step 1. If no spark is produced, distributor is defective. If spark is produced, ignition coil is defective.



1985 - 86 4-143.4/2.4L & 1985 - 88 4-121.9/2.0L, 4-155.9/2.6L Non-Turbocharged & 4-89.6/1.5L Engines
1. Disconnect coil wire high tension lead from distributor cap and hold wire approximately .2 - .4 inches away from cylinder block, then crank engine. Check spark condition. If no spark is produced, proceed to step 2. If spark is produced, check distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition timing. If the engine cannot be cranked, disconnect coil wire high tension lead from distributor cap and hold wire approximately .2 - .4 inches away from cylinder block, then crank engine. Check spark condition. If no spark was produced, proceed to step 2. If spark was produced, check distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition timing. If the engine cannot be cranked, proceed with methods a through c as follows:
a. Hold high tension wire as previously described in step 1. Remove distributor cap, turn rotor in direction of engine rotation (clockwise) by hand until rotor contacts stop then return to its original position. Spark can be produced by moving the projection of the signal rotor close to the stator, Fig. 1.
b. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Using a suitable screwdriver, quickly move screwdriver in and out through gap between governor base and housing, Fig. 2. This will also produce spark.
c. Remove distributor from engine (do not disconnect primary cable). While holding distributor housing in contact with engine (to complete ground circuit), turn distributor shaft, this will produce spark when engine is cranked.
2. With ignition switch in ON position, measure voltage of positive terminal on ignition coil. If measured voltage indicates battery voltage, proceed to step 3. If zero volts is obtained, battery to ignition coil wiring is defective.
3. With ignition switch in ON position, measure voltage of negative terminal on ignition coil. If measured voltage indicates battery voltage, proceed to step 4. If approximately 1 volt is obtained, proceed to step 4. If zero volts is obtained, ignition coil wiring is open or igniter is defective.
4. Remove original ignition coil and install a new coil. Repeat test as described in step 1.
5. If no spark is produced, note the following:
a. On Montero and Pickup models, distributor pickup coil is defective.
b. On Cordia, Mirage and Tredia models, distributor pickup coil or ESC igniter is defective.
c. On Galant models, igniter is defective.
6. If spark is produced, ignition coil is defective.