ENG: Igniter & Distributor Check & Replacement

[dysfunk]

I have noticed that lately there have been a lot of questions regarding the distributor and the igniter. I recently had to deal with this after my timing belt snapped.

This is taken directly out of the Haynes Manual in case you do not have a manual or access to a manual when facing a no start issue.

Igniter/ignition control module (ICM) - check and replacement

Check

1 Remove the distributor cap and the igniter cover. (Here you will have to remove the rotor as well. You can stick a screw driver in between the igniter cover and the rotor and give it a tug.)

2 Disconnect wires from the igniter unit.

3 With the ignition key turned ON (engine not running), check for voltage between the black/yellow wire (middle terminal off the igniter unit) and the body ground. There should be battery voltage.

4 If there is no voltate, check the circuit between the black/yellow wire and the ignition switch.

5 With the ignition key turned ON (engine not running), check for voltage between the white/blue wire (1990-91 models only) or the light green on 1992-93 models and body ground. There should be battery voltage. Note: Both types are located on the end terminal of the igniter unit.

6 if there is no voltage, check the circuit between the corresponding wire and the ignition coil.

7 Check for continuity between the yellow/green wire (1990-91 models) or the light green (92-93 models) and the ECU. Check for continuity between the blue wire from the tachometer terminal and the igniter. There should be between 1.1K to 3.3K ohms.

8 If all the checks are OK, replace the igniter. Note: When installing the igniter, pack silicone grease in the connector housing.


Replacement

9 Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal. Caution: if the radio in your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you have the correct activation code before disconnecting the battery.

10 Remove the distributor cap and cover from the distributor.

11 Remove all the electrical connectors from the igniter unit.

12 Remove the two sets of screws from the igniter body and pull the igniter unit straight out.

13 Installation is the reverse of removal.

Distributor - Removal and Installation

Removal

1 Detach the cable from the negative battery terminal. Caution: If the radio in your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you have the correct activation code before disconnecting the battery.

2 Detatch any clamps and electrical connectors on the distributor. Mark the wires and hoses so they can be returned to their original locations.

3 Look for a raised number or letter on the distributor cap. This marks the location for the number one cylinder spark plug wire terminal. If the cap does not have a mark for the number one terminal, locate the number one spark plug and trace the wire back to the terminal on the cap.

4 Remove the distributor cap and turn the engine over until the rotor is pointing toward the number one spark plug terminal.

5 Make a mark on the edge of the distributor base directly below the rotor tip and in line with it (if the rotor on your engine has more than one tip, use the center one for reference). Also, mark the distributor base and the cylinder head to ensure the distributor is installed correctly.

6 If not already done, unplug the igniter wires.

7 Remove the distributor hold-down bolt(s) and pull out the distributor. Caution: do not turn the crankshaft while the distributor is out of the engine, or the alignment marks will be useless.


Installation

Note: if the crankshaft has been moved while the distributor is out, the number one piston must be repositioned at TDC. This can be done by feeling for compression pressure at the number one plug hole as the crankshaft is turned. Once compression is felt, align the ignition timing zero mark witht he pointer.

8 Install a new O-ring on the distributor housing.

9 Insert the distributor into the cylinder head in exactly the same relationship to the head that it was when removed. Note: the lugs on the end of the distributor and the corresponding grooves in the camshaft end are offset to eliminate the possibility of installing the distributor 180 degrees out of phase.

10 Recheck the alignment marks between the distributor base and the cylinder head to verify the distributor is in the same position it was in before removal. Also check the rotor to see if it's aligned with the mark you made on the distributor.

11 Loosely install the hold-down bolt(s).

12 The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Check the ignition timing and tighten the distributor hold-down bolt(s) securely.

If you still do not understand and you are a beginner; you are more than welcome to start a thread in the beginner technical section with the title "RE: ENG: Igniter & Distributor Check & Replacement"


Also, if anyone has any other tips that they would like to have added, please send me a private message and we will discuss and possibly add to this original post.


Furthermore, I would like to rid of the myth that you can install a distributor 180 degrees out of phase. This is simply not true with the F22* engines.