Ignition Diagnostics (06-18-15)

Publication date: 2006-09-18
Reference number: 06-18-15
Supersedes refnos: 05-22-5

IGNITION DIAGNOSTICS

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 06-18-15, Date of Issue: September 18, 2006

FORD:	2006-2007 Fusion; 2007 Five Hundred, Freestyle; 2006-2007 Explorer, Freestar; 2007 Edge, Escape, Explorer Sport Trac, F-150
LINCOLN:	2006-2007 Zephyr; 2007 MKZ, MKX
MERCURY:	2006-2007 Milan; 2007 Montego; 2006-2007 Monterey, Mountaineer; 2007 Mariner

Superceded Bulletin(s): 05-22-5, Date of Issue: November 14, 2005

NOTE: This article supersedes TSB 05-22-5 to update the vehicle lines and model years covered.

ISSUE

Some 2006-2007 vehicles with a customer concern of a misfire, with or without diagnostic trouble code (P030X), access the spark duration PID's in IDS, in the Tool Box under Powertrain/Ignition Tools or in Datalogger when using IDS, WDS, PDS, or PID database in NGS Plus, to diagnose the concern.

ACTION

Beginning with the 2006 model year and continuing through the 2007 model year, a new onboard ignition test called Spark Duration will be available to assist in diagnosing misfire concerns on some applications. This new ignition test is completely link based and requires no hook ups other than to the data communication link (DCL) connector. This feature will make testing inaccessible ignition coils, such as those beneath the intake manifold, much easier.

This onboard Spark Duration test uses some newly accessible PID's. Spark duration by cylinder (SPRKDURx) indicates the actual flyback spark duration value for each cylinder. This gives the technician the ability to monitor ignition firings relative to each other when diagnosing misfire concerns.

IDS supports a custom Spark Duration PIDs tool under Ignition Tests for applicable vehicles. These Spark Duration PIDs can also be displayed using IDS, PDS, or WDS Datalogger or viewed using NGS Plus. The ignition data displayed is the actual spark duration value and will always be displayed in complete engine cycles (720° of crankshaft revolution equal one (1) complete firing cycle).

Since the ignition data is occurring faster than the PCM can send the data, not every engine cycle is displayed; however, using the capture mode in Datalogger provides increased capabilities.

Another new PID made available is Spark Advance Actual (SPRK_ACT). The SPK_ACT PID can be compared to powertrain control module (PCM) calculated spark advance (SPARKADV#). These two (2) PID's don't need to be exactly the same but should "track" closely in value. If there is a large steady discrepancy between these two (2) values, further investigation would be required.

NOTE: FOR 2007 MODEL YEAR NGS IS NOT SUPPORTED.

NOTE: ON THE EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER THIS PROCEDURE ONLY APPLIES TO THE 4.6L ENGINE. DO NOT USE ON THE 4.0L ENGINE.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

The following information will show how to find these PIDs in WDS Datalogger and provide some setup tips for viewing this data.

Fig 1: PIDs In The PID Selection Screen

Fig 2: Screen Showing Setting Up Limits On Selected PIDs in Datalogger

Fig 3: Examples Of How High Resistance In Secondary Ignition Shows Up On Primary

Fig 4: Examples Of How High Resistance In Secondary Ignition Shows Up On Primary

Fig 5: Examples Of How High Resistance In Secondary Ignition Shows Up On Primary

Fig 6: Examples Of How Low Resistance In Secondary Ignition Shows Up On Primary

Fig 7: Examples Of A Tight Pattern Indicating Arching Through The Boot Or In Air

Fig 8: Examples Of A Tight Pattern Indicating Arching Through The Boot Or In Air

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WARRANTY STATUS: Information Only.