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Home >> American Motors >> 1982 >> Spirit Base, 2D Hatchback, 4.2L Eng VIN C, Automatic Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Ignition System >> MOTORCRAFT Solid State Ignition System >> Testing >> Control Unit & Pick-Up Coil Check

Control Unit & Pick-Up Coil Check

  1. Disconnect high tension coil wire from distributor cap. Hold end of coil wire 1/2" away from engine block, using insulated pliers.
  2. Turn the ignition switch "ON", then disconnect 4-wire connector from control unit. Watch for spark as connector is disconnected. If sparking occurs, proceed with next step. If no sparking occurs, proceed to step  6).
  3. Turn ignition switch "OFF" and disconnect 4-wire connector at control unit. Connect an ohmmeter between the Orange and Violet wire terminals "D2" and "D3" of harness connector. Ohmmeter reading should be 400-800 ohms. If reading is correct, proceed to step  8). If reading is not correct, proceed to next step.
  4. Disconnect and reconnect 3-wire connector at distributor. If ohmmeter reading is now correct, proceed to step  8). If reading is still not correct, proceed to next step.
  5. Disconnect 3-wire connector at the distributor and connect ohmmeter leads between the Orange and Violet wire terminals "B2" and "B3" of distributor connector. If reading is now 400-800 ohms, repair harness between 3-wire and 4-wire connectors. If reading is still not to specifications, replace pick-up coil assembly in distributor.
  6. With ignition switch "OFF" and 4-wire connector disconnected, connect ohmmeter leads to battery negative terminal (ground) and Black wire terminal "D1" in harness connector. Ohmmeter reading should be nearly 0 (less than 0.002 ohms).
  7. If ohmmeter reading is OK, proceed to step  3). If reading is above specification, check for source of bad ground (ground cable resistance, distributor-to-engine block resistance or ground screw in distributor to Black wire terminal "D1").
  8. With ignition switch "ON" and voltmeter connected to harness side of 4-wire connector Orange and Violet wire terminals "D2" and "D3", crank engine. Voltmeter reading should fluctuate. If no voltage fluctuation occurs, check for defective trigger wheel, distributor shaft not turning, or missing trigger wheel retaining pin (shaft turning but not trigger wheel).
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