Ignition System: Testing and Inspection
ON-VEHICLE INSPECTIONNOTE: "Cold" and "Hot" in the following 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 SPARK TEST
Check that the spark occurs.
1. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the spark plugs.
2. Remove the 6 spark plugs.
3. Install the spark plug to each high-tension cord.
4. Disconnect the 6 injector connectors.
5. Ground the spark plug.
6. Check that spark occurs while engine is being cranked.
NOTE: To prevent excess fuel from being injected out of 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 given flow chart.
2. INSPECT HIGH-TENSION CORDS
a. Remove the air cleaner cap and MAF meter assembly.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the spark plugs.
Disconnect the high-tension cords at the rubber boot.
Do not pull on the cords.
NOTE: Pulling on or bending the cords may damage the conductor inside.
c. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the ignition coils.
1. Using a screwdriver, lift up the lock claw and disconnect the holder from the ignition coils.
2. Disconnect the high-tension cord at the grommet. Do not pull on the cord.
NOTE: Pulling on or bending the cords may damage the conductor inside. Do not wipe any of the oil from the grommet after the high-tension cord is disconnected.
d. Inspect the high-tension cord resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance.
Maximum resistance: 25 kohms per cord
If the resistance is greater than maximum, check the terminals. If necessary, replace the high-tension cord.
e. Reconnect the high-tension cords to ignition coils.
1. Assemble the holder and grommet.
2. Align the spline of the ignition coil with the spline of the holder, and push in the cord.
NOTE: Check that the holder is correctly installed to the grommet and distributor cap as shown in the illustration.
3. Check that the lock claw of the holder is engaged by lightly pulling the holder.
f. Reconnect the high-tension cords to spark plugs.
g. Reinstall the air cleaner cap and MAF meter assembly.
3. INSPECT SPARK PLUGS
a. Remove the high-tension cords.
b. Remove the spark plugs.
Using a 16 mm plug wrench, remove the 6 spark plugs from the RH and LH cylinder heads.
c. 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:
d. Visually inspect the spark plugs.
Check the spark plug for thread damage and insulator damage.
If abnormal, replace the spark plug.
e. Adjust the electrode gap.
Carefully bend the outer electrode to obtain the correct electrode gap.
Correct electrode gap: 1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
f. Reinstall the spark plugs.
Torque: 20 N.m (200 kgf.cm, 14 ft.lbf)
g. Reinstall the ignition coils.
h. Reconnect the high-tension cords.
4. INSPECT IGNITION COIL
a. Remove the air cleaner hose.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the ignition coils.
c. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors.
Primary Coil Resistance:
d. 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.
e. Remove the ignition coils.
Secondary Coil Resistance:
f. 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.
g. Reinstall the ignition coils.
h. Reconnect the ignition coil connectors and high-tension cords.
i. Reinstall the air cleaner hose.
5. INSPECT CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
a. Disconnect the camshaft position sensor connectors.
Resistance:
b. Inspect the camshaft position sensor resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between terminals.
If the resistance is not as specified, replace the camshaft position sensor.
c. Reconnect the camshaft position sensor connector.
6. INSPECT IGNITER (See step 1).