Attention! The voltage generated by the ignition system is much higher than the voltage from other vehicle systems. When performing work with the ignition on, special care must be taken. Persons who have a pacemaker implanted are prohibited from working near the circuits and devices of the ignition system, as well as control and measuring equipment.
The condition and serviceability of devices and devices of the ignition system should be checked, guided by the description in the relevant subsections.
General check
1. High voltage spark plug wires should be checked each time the spark plugs are replaced. If necessary remove a cover of the distributor of ignition.
2. Before disconnecting the high voltage wires, make sure that they have a numbering indicating that the wire belongs to this cylinder.
3. Remove the wires by holding on to the lugs and not the wire, to avoid tearing the conductive strand of the wire from the lug
4. Check for corrosion inside the tips, corrosion is usually found as a white powder. Put the tip back in place, and make sure it is securely fastened to the candle. If the contact is unreliable, then remove the tip and carefully bend the adapter inside the tip, achieving a snug fit for the candle output.
5. Wipe dry all wire. Do not excessively bend or pull the wire.
6. Disconnect the opposite end of the wire from the ignition distributor by pulling on the lug. Check for corrosion in the tip on the distributor side and the reliability of the wire, proceeding in the same way as when checking the tip on the spark plug side. Measure the resistance of the wire by connecting an ohmmeter to the terminal on the spark plug side and to the segment pad inside the distributor cap. After checking, put the wire back in place.
7. Check the rest of the wires in the same order.
8. If the high voltage wires need to be replaced, purchase a set of new wires of the correct type for the vehicle and engine.
9. Loosen the distributor cap screws. Remove cover and seal. Wipe the cover clean and check for cracks inside and outside of the cover, signs of surface breakdown (thin charred paths), wear and burning of contacts.
10. Check the wear of the coals, their freedom of movement under the action of the springs and the reliability of contact with the slider. Also check the condition of the distributor cover seal; if damage is found, replace the seal. Loosen the screws and remove the slider from the distributor shaft, check the condition of the slider.
11. When replacing high-voltage wires, it is recommended to replace the slider and the distributor cap. When replacing, disconnect the wire from the old cover and insert it into the new cover at the same place from which it was removed on the old cover. It is forbidden to simultaneously remove two or more wires from the old cover, otherwise they may be installed incorrectly and the cylinders may not work properly.
12. Securely press the slider onto the distributor shaft, tighten the screw. Lay the gasket and install the distributor cap, tighten the screws. Install the cap.
13. Even if the condition of the distributor does not inspire any doubt, some engines may still occasionally experience difficult starting, due to moisture ingress into the parts of the ignition system. In this case, an effective measure is the use of aerosols that dissipate moisture, or the application of a water-repellent sealed coating.
Checking and setting the ignition timing
To check the ignition timing, see subsection 7.7.7.