Distributor: Testing and Inspection
DISTRIBUTOR 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).
Hot is from 50°C (122°F) to 100°C (212°F).
1. Disconnect distributor connectors.
2. Inspect resistance of pickup coils.
View Of Distributor Connector:
- Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the terminals.
Resistance (Cold):
G(+) and G(-): 185 - 275 Ohms
NE(+) and NE(-): 370 - 550 Ohms
Resistance (Hot):
G(+) and G(-): 240 - 325 Ohms
NE(+) and NE(-): 475 - 650 Ohms
- If the resistance is not as specified, replace the distributor housing assembly.
3. Remove distributor cap.
4. Remove distributor rotor.
5. Remove ignition coil dust cover and packing.
6. Inspect air gap.
Checking Pickup Coils (Sensors) Air Gap:
- Using a thickness gauge, measure the gap between the signal rotor and pickup coil projection.
Air gap: 0.2 - 0.4 mm (0.008 - 0.016 in.)
- If the air gap is not as specified, replace the distributor housing assembly.
7. Inspect primary coil resistance.
Checking Coil Primary Resistance:
- Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.
Resistance (Cold): 0.36 - 0.55 Ohms
Resistance (Hot): 0.45 - 0.65 Ohms
- If the resistance is not as specified, replace the Ignition Coil.
8. Inspect secondary coil resistance.
Checking Coil Secondary Resistance:
- Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the positive (+) and high-tension terminals.
Resistance (Cold): 9.0 - 15.4 k Ohms
Resistance (Hot): 11.4 - 18.1 k Ohms
- If the resistance is not as specified, replace the ignition coil.
9. Inspect distributor shaft.
- Turn shaft and check that it is not rough or worn.
- If it feels rough or worn, replace the distributor housing assembly.
NOTE: The "G" pickup coil provides a camshaft position signal to the ECM. The "NE" signal provides crankshaft position and rotational speed information, which the ECM interprets as an RPM signal.