Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Ignition System: Testing and Inspection

ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION

NOTE: "Cold" and "Hot" in these sentences express the temperature of the coils themselves. "Cold" is from -10 °C (14 °F) to 50 °C (122 °F) and "Hot" is from 50 °C (122 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F).

1. INSPECT IGNITOR AND SPARK TEST
Check that the spark occurs.

1. Disconnect high-tension cords from spark plug.
2. Remove the spark plug.
3. Install the spark plug to each high-tension cord.
4. Ground the spark plug.
5. Check if spark occurs while engine is being cranked.

NOTE: To prevent excess fuel being injected from the injectors during this test, do not crank the engine for more 5 - 10 seconds at a time.




If the spark does not occur, do the test as per the flow chart.

6. Using a 16 mm plug wrench, install the spark plugs.
Torque: 18 N.m (195 kgf.cm, 15 ft.lbf)

7. Reinstall the ignition coil with ignitor.

2. INSPECT HIGH-TENSION CORDS




a. Remove the air cleaner hose.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords at the rubber boot.
Do not pull on the high-tension cords.

NOTE: Pulling on or bending the cords may damage the conductor inside.




c. Using an ohmmeter, measure the high-tension cord resistance.

Maximum resistance: 25 kOhms per cord

If the resistance is greater than maximum, check the terminals.
If necessary, replace the high-tension cord.




d. Reconnect and install the high-tension cords as shown in the illustration.

3. INSPECT SPARK PLUGS




a. Disconnect the 3 high-tension cords.
b. Remove the 3 ignition coils.
c. Using a 16 mm plug wrench, remove the 6 spark plugs.




d. Clean the spark plugs.
If the electrode has traces of wet carbon, allow it to dry and then clean with a spark plug cleaner.

Air pressure: Below 588 kPa (6 kgf/sq.cm, 85 psi)
Duration: 20 seconds or less

HINT: If there are traces of oil, remove it with gasoline before using the spark plug cleaner.




Recommended Spark Plug:




e. Visually check the spark plug for thread damage and insulator damage.
If abnormal, replace the spark plug.




f. Adjust the electrode gap.
Carefully bend the outer electrode to obtain the correct electrode gap.

Correct electrode gap: 1.1 mm (0.043 in.)

g. Using a 16 mm plug wrench, reinstall the spark plugs.
Torque: 18 N.m (180 kgf.cm, 13 ft.lbf)

h. Reinstall the 3 ignition coils.
i. Reconnect the 3 high-tension cords.

4. INSPECT IGNITION COIL
a. Remove the air cleaner hose.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords and ignition coil connectors from the ignition coils.




Primary Coil Resistance:




c. Inspect the primary coil resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.

If the resistance is not as specified, replace the ignition coil.

d. Remove the ignition coils.




Secondary Coil Resistance:




e. Inspect the secondary coil resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the positive (+) and high-tension terminals.

If the resistance is not as specified, replace the ignition coil

f. Reinstall the ignition coils.
g. Reconnect the ignition coil connectors and the high-tension cords.
h. Reinstall the air cleaner hose.

5. INSPECT CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR




a. Disconnect the sensor connector

Resistance:




b. Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the terminals.

If the resistance is not as specified, replace the sensor.

c. Reconnect the camshaft position sensor connector.

6. INSPECT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR




a. Remove the sensor connector

Resistance:




b. Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the terminals
c. Reinstall the sensor.