Check if your getting power to the coil-See below
Ignition Troubleshooting Procedure
Step 1 - Anytime you have a problem with electronically controlled components such as an engine, transmission, ABS brake, or SRS (supplemental restraint system, Air Bag) inspect all fuses using a test light and check the under hood power distribution center and under dash fuse panels. If all fuses test ok continue to the next step.
Step 2 - To check for problems with electronically controlled components such as an engine, transmission, ABS brake, or SRS (supplemental restraint system, Air Bag) and the fuses test ok a trouble code scan is needed to identify any system trouble. Use a simple scanner tool to retrieve trouble codes and check if they relate to the specific problem, like an ignition coil failure code. If a trouble code is present but does not pertain to the immediate problem like a EVAP code ignore it until a later time, after the engine is running properly. The reason we repair non-related codes after the engine is running properly is because sometime false codes can be triggered by a rough running engine. Once the engine is running properly the code present might cycle and turn itself off. You might say "if the engine isn't running right shouldn't it have a check engine light and a trouble code?". Sometimes conditions occur that will not be detected by the computer, example: if the intake or exhaust valve operation fails the computer can not detect the failure because the problem is not sensor related, so the engine doesn't run smooth and the computer thinks everything is ok with no codes. If the trouble code retrieved relates to a cylinder misfire like a injector driver or ignition coil failure first these problems and re-test system. If no trouble codes are present proceed to the next step.
Step 3 - Check the ignition system basic output voltage, this will test the ignition system buy observing the spark from the ignition coil. This is done using a test light and inserting the sharp probe into the end of the plug wire boot allowing a sizable gap from the inside plug wire terminal and the test light probe. If the engine does not run and you are testing the ignition system output continue with this test. If you are testing the ignition system to troubleshoot an engine cylinder misfire you will need to disconnect the fuel pump fuse or control relay and bleed off fuel system pressure to stop the engine from starting. (Note: sometimes the engine will run slightly until excess fuel is burned) To locate the fuse or relay for the fuel pump located in the fuse box or power distribution center, if you can not locate the fuse or relay consult your cars owners manual or an online repair manual for their locations.
Step 4 - In this step remove the plug wire or ignition coil wire to gain access to the end of the plug wire, coil wire or coil over spark plug boot depending on a particular ignition system configuration. Ground the test light lead to a known ground source like the negative battery terminal, insert the probe end of the test light into the end of the boot creating about an 3/4 inch gap between the probe and the terminal inside the boot. Position the boot and test light combination for clear observation and away from rotation accessories. While observing the boot/test light probe gap have a helper crank the engine over (keep hands and clothing away from rotating accessories). There should be a bright blue electrical spark between the spark plug/coil wire/coil terminal and the test light probe. To observe this procedure performed live watch this how to test an ignition system video below:
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If your are testing the system for a cylinder misfire continue this test for the remaining cylinders, look for good spark quality if there is no spark present on a particular cylinder inspect the plug wire, cap and rotor or individual ignition coil if corrosion is present on any part of the terminals or wires replace the component and re-test. If the coil has no electrical discharge output continue to Step 6, if electrical discharge is present at the coil wire and not the plug wires continue to Step 5
Step 5 - If your car is designed with a distributor that has a cap and rotor remove the distributor cap and inspect the rotor. The ignition rotor transfers high voltage to the plug wires and then the spark plugs and can short circuit to the distributor main shaft causing the spark to enter the distributor but not exit. Remove the ignition rotor and check for burn or ash marks on the underside of the rotor. Also inspect the coil wire and distributor cap terminals for corrosion, look for any burn or ash marks on the wire or terminals. Replace any damaged, burned or corrected components with new or quality used parts and retest system.
Step 6 - This next test will tell us if the primary ignition system is supplying an electrical trigger pulse to the ignition coil. To test the ignition trigger pulse remove the small wires from the coil. Using a voltage multimeter connect the leads to both wires and set the multi meter to DC voltage. Next have a helper crank to engine over and observe the voltmeter, if the meter jumps from 12 volts and then to zero in rapid succession the trigger system is working properly. Next check the ignition coil for corrosion if no corrosion exists use the voltage multimeter to test the coil primary and secondary circuits for continuity and resistance. This testing procedure will work for most automotive coils. With all wires disconnected from the coil, use a multimeter switched to ohms and check the resistance between the small side terminals of the coil. You should get a reading of 0.75 to 0.81 ohms of resistance. Then check the resistance between on either side terminal and the center high output terminal. The ohms reading should be about 10,000 to 11,000 ohms. Any significant deviation from these numbers would indicate the coil is shorted and needs to be replaced. If there is no primary ignition trigger output proceed to next step.
Step 7 - If the ignition coil has no trigger pulse input the primary ignition system has failed. This system contains a crankshaft position sensor (CKP), camshaft position sensor (CAS) which is a low voltage generating system (1.5 to 3.0 volts) and is then amplified to 12 volts by using a ignition module (amplifier) and then transferred to the primary side of the ignition coil. The ECM (engine control module) controls the engine ignition timing by advancing and retarding the primary trigger signal to the ignition module. You might say " if the crankshaft position sensor (CKP), camshaft position sensor (CAS) has failed wont it produce a diagnostic trouble code?" The answer is "not always" this is because some computer systems think the starter has failed or you have left the car in a drive gear or the clutch not depressed completely, not allowing the engine to crank over. In this case the computer just thinks the engine is not cranking over, even though it is. First turn the key to the on position, with the ignition coil connected to its wiring. Then, using a test light or a voltage multimeter ground one side of the test light or meter and test the coil terminals, there should be power on both side of the coil. If the coil doesn't have power locate the main computer system control relay and replace it with a new unit and re-test. If 12 volts is present continue to the next step.
Step 8 - Locate the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) and camshaft position sensor (CAS) (note: if your engine is designed with a distributor sometimes the CAS is inside the distributor housing) disconnect the wiring connector to probe the connector, there are three wires on most of these sensors so three tests are needed. Set your multimeter to ac voltage and probe any two wires on the sensor side, have a helper crank the engine over you should observe the multimeter jumping between 0 and 2.5 volts on two of the three combinations. Continue testing until three pairs of wires are complete. (I.E: right outer and center, left outer and center and right and left wires) if no pulse is present remove the sensor and observe inside the mounting port with a flash light. While looking inside the port have a help crank the engine over, you should see a small hole or magnet used to trigger the sensor, if this trigger is present replace the sensor. Perform this test for both sensors if equipped, If the sensors test ok suspect the ignition module (amplifier) or ECM.
(note: try disconnecting various sensors like oxygen and coolant temperature and retest, sometimes a sensor can short circuit locking up the ECM-engine control module. If ignition pulse is restored plug sensor in one at a time until ignition pulse is lost, replace that sensor with new and reassemble.)
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 AT 6:07 PM
