Ignition System Test
NOTE:
Although this information applies basically to Subaru models, the same principle applies to Toyota models with resistors or resistance wires.
- Turn ignition switch "ON". Connect negative lead of a voltmeter to ground and positive lead (in turn) to each of the resistor terminals "a" and "b". One reading should be battery voltage, the other reading should be one half that voltage. If so, proceed to step 10.
- If there was no voltage at either terminal in step 1, check wiring harness, connector, ignition switch and fuse between battery and resistor. Check for broken wires, poor connections, and battery condition.
- If there was voltage at only one of the resistor terminals in step 1, turn ignition switch "ON" and disconnect lead wire from terminal having no voltage. Check resistor terminal for voltage. If none, replace resistor. If voltage now exists, check wiring harness between resistor and positive terminal of ignition coil for short circuit. Repair or replace as necessary.
- If there was voltage at both terminals, but one was not about one-half battery voltage, turn ignition switch "ON". Connect voltmeter negative lead to ground and positive lead to ignition coil negative terminal. Reading should be battery voltage.
- If not, turn ignition switch "ON" and connect voltmeter negative lead to ground and positive lead to ignition coil positive terminal. Reading should be battery voltage. If not, replace ignition coil. If battery voltage is shown, check wiring harness between resistor and ignition coil positive terminal. Check for broken wires, poor connections and repair as necessary.
- If voltage at ignition coil negative terminal in step 4, was battery voltage, turn ignition switch "OFF". Using an ohmmeter set in the x1 range, measure resistance between ignitor side and ground. Resistance should be less than 0.5 ohm. If not, check ground wire for proper contact at regulator bracket.
- If resistance was less than 0.5 ohm in step 6, proceed to the next step, step 8).
- Turn ignition switch "OFF". Disconnect 2-pin (Toyota) or 3-pin (Subaru) distributor connector. Disconnect high tension wire at distributor and hold it about 1/4" (6 mm) from engine block. Turn ignition switch "ON". Check if spark jumps when a small voltage (1-6 volts) is applied intermittently on terminals "1" (pink wire) and "2" (white wire) on ignitor side of connector.
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CAUTION: Do not use battery voltage (12 volts) for this test or ignitor may be damaged. - If spark jumps gap, there is no problem with the ignition system. If no spark occurs, replace ignitor.
- If during step 1) , the voltage at one resistor terminal was one-half that of the other, turn the ignition switch "ON". Connect negative lead of voltmeter to a good ground and positive lead to ignition coil negative terminal. If reading is not below 0.5 volt, check wiring harness for shorts, check loose connections at coil negative terminal and repair as necessary. If no problem is found, perform steps 8 and 9 again.
- If in step 10 reading was below 0.5 volts, turn ignition switch "OFF" and disconnect 2-pin connector. Using an ohmmeter set to x100 range, connect leads to terminals "1" (Pink wire) and "2" (White wire) of distributor connector (distributor side).
- If resistance reading is incorrect, replace pick-up coil assembly. If correct, turn ignition switch "OFF" and check timing rotor (reluctor)-to-pick-up coil air gap. If not 0.008 - 0.016" (0.2 - 0.4 mm), adjust as necessary. If air gap is correct, perform steps 8 and 9 again.