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T H E E L E C T R O N I C, D I A G N O S T I C A N D D R I V E A B I L I T Y
Volume 4 Issue 3, July 2000
R E S O U R C E.
in precisely controlling
WHAT’S INSIDE: Coil on Plug Ignition…Page 1 & 3 / FINE TUNING…Page 2 / QUALITY POINTS: Wells Manufactures Better Circuit Boards…Page 2 /
Become a member of the iATN...Page 3 / HOT OFF THE WIRE: Wells Introduces 2000 Fuel Injection Catalog, Publisher’s Information…Page 4
Fine Tuning questions are answered by
Jim Bates, Technical Services Manager.
Please send your questions to: Jim Bates
c⁄ o Wells Manufacturing Corp.,
Fine Tuning
P.O. Box 70, Fond du Lac, WI
54936-0070 or e-mail him at
technical@wellsmfgcorp.com.
We’ll send you a Wells’ shirt if your
question is published. So please include
your shirt size with your question.
Q. “I have a 1998 Dodge Intrepid with a start it and just let it idle, there is no quality are normal. Compression is good on
2.7L DOHC in the shop that makes a loud problem. Only code set is for a misfire. all cylinders. The spark plugs, however, carbon
hissing noise that you can even hear when We’ve replaced the cap, rotor, wires, plugs, up badly upon attempt to start the engine.
you are inside of the car. It is worse when and coil with no success. Any ideas?” Keep cranking and the engine backfires
the engine is cold. It sounds a lot like a Lancaster Service Garage, Lancaster, PA through the throttle body.
vacuum leak, but we have checked for
You’ve already eliminated most ignition components as Where would you go from here?
leaks in the gaskets and hoses and have
found none. This is quite a loud noise for problems. Have you checked the fuel system for pressure
The first reader to respond with the most accurate
something we can’t find. Any suggestions?” and volume? A marginal fuel system could meet engine answer via e-mail or fax, and the first reader to
McCabe Auto Service, Dallas, TX demand at idle, but not under load. The misfire code may respond with the most accurate answer via
be the result of a too lean condition because of inadequate snail-mail, each will receive a Wells golf shirt.
fuel before the engine starves completely and stops. The answer will appear in the next issue.
Quality Points
design to engineering and from manufacturing,
to distribution are QS-9000 certified.
Many companies in the automotive world
still use old-fashioned plastic-based printed
circuit boards with copper paths. Wells uses
an aluminum oxide based substrate with
Wells Manufactures Better Circuit Boards palladium silver silk screened onto the board
in a four-step 1730° F firing process.
For the independent technician, the decision Wells Manufacturing Corp. prides itself on Palladium silver provides a stronger pull
to install one part over another is often based manufacturing electrical components to the and mechanical strength for a longer lasting
solely on the perceived quality with fit and highest standards using the latest technologies. part; pure silver degrades over time
finish serving as the It is this pride that drives it to seek better through thermal cycling.
only criteria. solutions during the engineering process; its
However, in many circuit boards are one such example. Instead of populating a board with
cases, it’s what can’t individual resistors, Wells screen prints
be seen that matters Wells is the first full-line ignition supplier to resistors onto the boards using state-of-the-art
the most. have received QS-9000 certification for the robotics, and then laser trims them to +- 1%.
design and manufacture of electronic engine- This makes for a longer lasting, more compact
management systems, charging systems and board with fewer parts to malfunction.
2
continued from page 1 to fail by breaking down the internal
Coil on Plug Ignition insulation or overheating the unit.
In addition to better control of a high • Shorted windings inside the coil can be difficult
voltage secondary, coil on plug systems to diagnose. Just a few turns shorted together
allow the coils to work more efficiently. can cut maximum coil output from 45 kV to
Coils require time to build the magnetic only 10 kV. Typically, a shorted coil will
field (called “dwell or coil saturation”), but produce an adequate spark under light loads,
also become hotter the longer current is but will misfire under load or hard acceleration.
flowing in the primary windings. Multiple Scope illustration showing current limiting circuit.
coils allow more time for coil saturation, for • A coil may operate normally when the
a stronger spark, while also allowing more • If a coil is suspect, you may be able to swap engine is started, but then fail after becoming
cooling time between firings. it with another coil on the same engine to see heated. The engine will start and run well, but
if the misfire follows the suspected bad coil. If then develop an intermittent or steady misfire
TROUBLESHOOTING the misfire moves with the suspected coil, the in one cylinder. The engine will operate
unit is bad. If the misfire stays at the same normally during low-speed operation, but
Detailed specifications for the engine you are cylinder, there may be a problem with the misfires under load or hard acceleration,
servicing are essential, because there are many voltage supply or trigger signal to that cylinder. especially after the engine has been running
different ignition systems using coil packs, However, on some engines, swapping coils may for a period of time. If possible, swap coils and
coil near plug or coil on plug. General Motors, be too time consuming. see if the misfire follows the suspected coil.
for example, uses multiple coils with at least
four different ignition control systems. Here • A commercial coil tester, available from many • If an engine starts normally, but then
are some general troubleshooting tips that tool suppliers, is an excellent way to test develops random misfires, stalls, or has other
can be helpful. suspect coils. If the coil can generate a spark performance problems traced to the ignition
on the tester, the coil should be in good condition. system, and no problems are found in the
• Always verify the complaint. However, secondary ignition system, check CKP and
remember that no start, misfire, and engine- • An ohm meter can also be used to test coil camshaft sensors operation. Make sure all
stalling complaints can be fuel related, spark winding resistance. Primary-side resistance, connections between the sensors and the ICM
related, or both. These types of problems also from coil minus to coil plus, is typically are clean and tight.
cause high-hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. between 0.3 and 1.0 ohm on electronic
ignition type coils.
• Check the basics. Make sure all
wiring connections are good. Look for Are you a full-time professional automotive
obvious problems like damaged wires, technician interested in networking with other
corrosion, etc. Make sure the charging professionals from around the world? Do you
system is normal. A weak charging system have at least 4 years of full-time work
reduces the voltage to the primary side of the experience as an automotive technician? Are
coil, which then prevents the induction of a you currently ASE certified?
powerful secondary current. Although the
electronic ignition system will operate with as If you answered yes to these questions, please
little as 7 volts input to the primary side, the consider becoming part of the largest network
voltage should be normal system voltage (12 of professional automotive technicians in the
to 14 v) to create a strong spark. world. The International Automotive
Technicians’ Network. The iATN is a group of
Ohm meters are used to test winding resistance. 26,133 professional automotive technicians
• Correct all codes present before doing
additional diagnosis. Pay special attention to from all over the world that offers an
Secondary resistance values vary widely, so incredible resource for automotive
codes for the ICM, crankshaft position sensor consult a specifications chart for the engine
(CKP), and camshaft position sensor (CMP). professionals. Members of the iATN exchange
you are servicing. If a spec chart isn’t available, technical knowledge and information with
Coil operation and spark timing are compare secondary readings among all the
controlled by the ICM based on signals from their fellow members through e-mail, forums
coils to see if any one is higher than the and information databases. The combined
the CKP and CMP. others. A high resistance indicates deterioration knowledge of top industry professionals
in the wiring. Surprisingly, a coil with high networking together, 476,270 years to be
• Coils can die, but they are more likely to be resistance may still fire the spark plug, but the
murdered. If you identify a defective coil, try exact, helps the professional members of this
voltage produced will be higher because the group provide the highest quality automotive
to determine what caused the coil failure and current must jump the open wiring in
correct the problem. Otherwise, the diagnosis, service and repair.
addition to jumping the spark plug gap.
replacement unit will be doomed to failure
just like the original coil. For example, a bad Wells Manufacturing Corp. supports iATN,
• Although coils can generate up to 45 kV International Automotive Technicians’
current limiting circuit in the (45,000 volts), normal firing voltage is
ignition control module can cause Network, and its mission of excellence.
typically 20 kV to 25 kV. Voltage levels much “To promote the continued growth, success
rapid overheating and early ignition over 25 kV indicate an opening in the coil
coil failure. and image of the Professional Automotive
windings, worn plugs or a bad connection Technician by providing a forum for the
between the coil and the plug. Prolonged exchange of knowledge and the promotion
exposure to more than 25 kV can cause a coil of education, professionalism and integrity.”
3
WELLS MANUFACTURING CORP.
P.O. Box 70
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-0070
INSIDE:lug
Coil on iPon
Ignit