YACT: What's the best way to tell if your ignition system is working properly?

[tnitsuj]

I need to isolate a starting problem to either the fuel system or the ignition system.

 

[NutBucket]

The car starts and runs smoothly?

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The car starts and runs smoothly?

no..it doesn't start. Battery is good. All the wires, coil, distributor are new. I need to figure out if they are actually working though.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

with a spark tester? (looks like a glass tube with electodes.

PSA: don't crank modern ignition systems without the wires hooked up, you'll fry it.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

pull a plug after a bit of cranking. if its soaked you got no spark, if its dry you got no fuel. if its asploded buy a new car

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The car starts and runs smoothly?

no..it doesn't start. Battery is good. All the wires, coil, distributor are new. I need to figure out if they are actually working though.

Well, here's what I do. Crank the car and smell the exhaust. If it smells like gas then its probably something wrong with the distributor/coil/etc. If it doesn't, its a fuel problem. I should know, my Accord has well known fuel and spark issues

 

[Wingznut]

If you don't have a spark tester, then use a spark plug... Just lay the threads on a good ground (engine block) with the plug wire connected. Crank it over, and see if there's spark.

To check for fuel, spray something flammable (i.e. throttle body cleaner) into the intake and then crank it over. If it tries to start, or even runs for a second... Voi la!

Btw, what kind of car is it?

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The car starts and runs smoothly?

no..it doesn't start. Battery is good. All the wires, coil, distributor are new. I need to figure out if they are actually working though.

Well, here's what I do. Crank the car and smell the exhaust. If it smells like gas then its probably something wrong with the distributor/coil/etc. If it doesn't, its a fuel problem. I should know, my Accord has well known fuel and spark issues

yup, i had to replace the distributor cap on my accord. that's the only time the car has failed to get to the mechanic under it's own power.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
If you don't have a spark tester, then use a spark plug... Just lay the threads on a good ground (engine block) with the plug wire connected. Crank it over, and see if there's spark.

To check for fuel, spray something flammable (i.e. throttle body cleaner) into the intake and then crank it over. If it tries to start, or even runs for a second... Voi la!

Btw, what kind of car is it?

When doing that with the spark plug, make sure that you have a plug in the hole, or have the test plug far away from the hole in the cylinder head. If there's anything flammable in the cylinder and the plug somehow sparks and is near the hole then you could get a burst of flame.

ZV

 

[PhlashFoto]

It is working when the TNT is hooked up to it and goes off.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The car starts and runs smoothly?

no..it doesn't start. Battery is good. All the wires, coil, distributor are new. I need to figure out if they are actually working though.

Well, here's what I do. Crank the car and smell the exhaust. If it smells like gas then its probably something wrong with the distributor/coil/etc. If it doesn't, its a fuel problem. I should know, my Accord has well known fuel and spark issues

yup, i had to replace the distributor cap on my accord. that's the only time the car has failed to get to the mechanic under it's own power.

Actually the issues are the distributor bearing drying out (replace entire distributor), the igniter/coil fails or the main relay beomed intermittent (when its hot outside. relay is for the fuel pump).