Wrap-Up

Ready for Review

Key Terms

dielectric silicone compound grease  A waterproof grease that is used to help seal the spark plug boot to the spark plug. Using silicone in the compound allows for high heat operation.

distributor cap  The top portion of a distributor, used to make a connection between the spinning rotor and the HT leads.

distributorless ignition system (DIS)  An ignition system that does not include a distributor. It uses signals from the CKP sensor and the CMP sensor sent to the PCM to determine when to send a signal to the ICM.

electronic ignition (EI) systems  An ignition system that uses a nonmechanical (electronic) method of triggering the ignition coil’s primary circuit.

ignition control module (ICM)  A general control unit of some EI systems, usually with current and dwell angle control; driver and output stage; and, in some cases, electronic spark timing functions.

spark plug wire  High-voltage wiring that transmits power from the distributor or ignition coil to the spark plug.

Review Questions

  1. The ignition coil creates increased power by using the primary coil to collapse onto which other component?
    • The secondary coil.
    • The resistive coil.
    • The electromotive force.
    • The amperage coil.
  2. When resistance testing the ignition coil, the technician can use a multimeter to determine whether there is a(n) _________ in one part of the coil.
    • induction drop
    • open
    • weak wire
    • external voltage feed
  3. When replacing the spark plugs, what should the technician should do once the spark plug has been removed?
    • Nothing; just install a new one.
    • Read the spark plug to determine what is happening in the cylinder.
    • Look at the piston to determine whether it is damaged.
    • Replace it with a spark plug that runs hotter.
  4. Choose the correct statement.
    • Distributor caps allow cylinders to share terminals to save space.
    • Spark plugs can be used in any application and are not specific to any engine application.
    • Waste spark ignition systems use one coil for every cylinder.
    • Coil-on-plug (COP) ignition coil boots can be serviced separately from the ignition coil if they are damaged.
  5. Spark plug wires carry the high voltage that the coil produces to the spark plugs. When inspecting them, the technician is looking for _________________.
    • cracks, frays, and boots that are deteriorating
    • incorrect installation, wrong fitment, and proper color
    • the correct coil wire type
    • the correct distributor cap
  6. A normal reading on the secondary on an ignition coil should be in the range of _______________.
    • 6,000 to 15,000 kΩ
    • 6,000 to 15,000 Ω
    • 35,000 to 50,000 Ω
    • 5 to 25 Ω
  7. How may coils do waste spark coils have in the coil pack?
    • One coil for every two cylinders.
    • One coil for each cylinder.
    • One coil that feeds all cylinders.
    • One coil for every three cylinders.
  8. If a boot of a COP ignition coil is cracked or has been contaminated by fluid but the coil is still in operational condition, what should the technician do?
    • Nothing; the coil is still in operational condition, so it should be reinstalled.
    • Rotate the COP to another, dry cylinder to help dry out the spark plug boot.
    • Nothing, because the spark plug will take up the cracks in the spark plug boot.
    • Replace the plug boots to put the coil back in service.
  9. On a Ford Triton engine, why are the spark plugs more susceptible to breakage?
    • It has weak porcelain that breaks when it is removed.
    • Carbon building up on the sheath of the spark plug does not allow it to come out of the tightly machined hole.
    • Spark plug threads cross-thread as the spark plug comes out.
    • The location of the spark plug in the cylinder is susceptible.
  10. Electronic ignition (EI) systems use an ICM to trigger __________.
    • the ignition coil
    • the distributor cap rotation
    • the spark plug wires
    • the PCM

ASE Technician A/Technician B–Style Questions

  1. Technician A says the primary coil winding should have a very low resistance, around 1–2 ohms. Technician B says the primary side of the ignition coil operates on 48 volts. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  2. Technician A says that when inspecting a coil, cracks in the epoxy on the coil are normal because of the heat that the coil produces. Technician B says waste spark ignition systems use one coil for every two cylinders. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  3. Technician A says that COP spark plug boots can fail and cause a misfire, which can be picked up by the PCM. Technician B says that using a digital multimeter (DMM) to test resistance in an ignition coil is the only way to determine whether the coil is in serviceable condition. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  4. Technician A says that doing a voltage drop test on the positive feed to the coil can help determine whether the coil is failing or whether something else is causing a low-voltage condition. Technician B says ignition coil failures can be caused by using substandard components. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  5. Technician A says that using a capacitor to increase the voltage inside the ignition coil is how the ignition operates. Technician B says coil-near-plug (CNP) systems operate like COP systems except that they also have a spark wire to connect the coil to the spark plug. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  6. Technician A says that indexing the spark plugs when they are installed allows them to position the spark near the center of the cylinder. Technician B says that using high-performance coils increases the voltage available for the spark plug to operate. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  7. Technician A says a ground issue with an ignition coil can cause the coil to not operate correctly. Technician B says spark plug wires should be inspected for high-voltage usage if there is a misfire. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  8. Technician A says that before servicing the spark plugs, the technician should remove any material that might fall into the cylinder once the spark plug has been removed. Technician B says dielectric lubricate helps to seal the spark plug boot around the spark plug. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  9. Technician A says that when servicing a distributor cap and rotor, the technician should look for burn-through or corrosion. Technician B says COP systems require no maintenance and should last the life of the vehicle. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B
  10. Technician A says that coils can sometimes be integrated into a distributor. Technician B says poor-quality components can cause misfires or die prematurely because of the materials used in the component. Who is correct?
    • Technician A
    • Technician B
    • Both A and B
    • Neither A nor B