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Ignition Coil

TESTING

1.5L, 1.8L, 2.4L, and 3.5L Engines

Fig. 1: Distributor connector pins and location — 1.5L and 1.8L engines

Fig. 2: Distributor connector pins and location — 2.4L SOHC engine

Fig. 3: Distributor connector pins and location — 3.5L engine

NOTE: The ignition coil is an integral part of the distributor.

  1. Measure the resistance of the primary ignition coil as follows:
    1. Unplug the electrical connector at the distributor. Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the two terminals of the distributor, NOT THE WIRE HARNESS, except for the 3.5L engine, in which you test across terminals 1 and 2 of the distributor.
    2. Measure the resistance and compare to the desired specifications of:
      • 0.9–1.2 ohms on the 1.5L, 1.8L, and 2.4L engines
      • 0.5–0.7 ohms on the 3.5L engine
    3. If the actual reading differs from the desired specification, replace the ignition coil.
    4. If the measured value is within standard allowance, there are no broken wires or short circuits.
  2. Measure the resistance of the secondary ignition coil as follows:
    1. Insert one of the test leads into the secondary ignition coil terminal on top of the distributor cap.
    2. Touch the second test lead to terminal 1 or terminal 2 of the distributor connector.
    3. Measure the resistance and compare to the desired specifications of:
      • 20–29 kilo-ohms on the 1.5L, 1.8L, and 2.4L engines
      • 9–13 kilo-ohms on the 3.5L engine
    4. If the measured value is within standard allowance, there are no broken wires or short circuits.
    5. If the actual reading differs from the desired specification, replace the ignition coil.
2.0L SOHC and 3.0L SOHC Engines

Fig. 4: Distributor connector pins and location — 3.0L SOHC engine

  1. Measure the resistance of the primary ignition coil as follows:
    1. Unplug the electrical connector at the coil. Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the two terminals of the coil, NOT THE WIRE HARNESS.
    2. Measure the resistance and compare to the desired specifications of:
      • 0.9–1.2 ohms on the 2.0L SOHC engine
      • 0.72–0.88 ohms on the 3.0L SOHC engine
    3. If the actual reading differs from the desired specification, replace the ignition coil.
    4. If the measured value is within standard allowance, there are no broken wires or short circuits.
  2. Measure the resistance of the secondary ignition coil as follows:
    1. Insert one of the test leads into the secondary ignition coil terminal on top of the distributor cap.
    2. Touch the second test lead to terminal 1 or terminal 2 of the distributor connector.
    3. Measure the resistance and compare to the desired specifications of:
      • 20–29 kilo-ohms on the 2.0L SOHC engine
      • 10.29–13.92 kilo-ohms on the 3.0L SOHC engine
    4. If the measured value is within standard allowance, there are no broken wires or short circuits.
    5. If the actual reading differs from the desired specification, replace the ignition coil.

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