ASE 8 Chapter 61 Ignition System

For a four-stroke, four-cylinder engine running at 2000 rpm, ______ sparks must be supplied every minute.

4000

Which of the following equipment is used to test for voltage drops and high resistance within the primary circuit?

Digital multimeter

In contact breaker point ignition systems, the ________ rotates at half the speed of the crankshaft and distributes the high voltage from the ignition coil and spark plugs.

Distributor

With a multimeter set to read volts, check the voltage ________ between the ignition module and ground on the engine.

Drop

Vehicles that are equipped with _______ do not normally activate these systems until the key is turned to the start position

Engine immobilizers

Ignition systems operate according to the laws of induction observed by:

Faraday

The ________ connect the coil to the distributor cap center terminal and the distributor cap side terminals to the terminals on the top of the spark plugs

High-tension leads

Although there are several types of ignition systems, the common components include the spark plugs, the ______, and a device for triggering the ignition coil.

Ignition coil

In electronic ignition systems, a(n) ________ uses a power transistor to turn the primary circuit on and off.

Ignition module

________ are used in virtually every type of ignition system except the contact breaker point system.

Ignition modules

The ________ is used to connect the ignition system to the battery during operation and disconnect it from the battery to turn the engine off.

Ignition switch

Eliminating the distributor meant doing away with the last mechanical component of the ignition system, which again resulted in ________ and reduced maintenance issues

Increased reliability

Which of the following does the ignition system use to convert relatively low-voltage and high-current flow into very high-voltage and very low-current flow?

Induction coil

The ignition system must also be able to advance or retard the timing of the spark, based on engine conditions such as ________, speed, and driver input.

Load

If the reach is too _______, the piston may strike the spark plug while moving up.

Long

Some modules are grounded through their ________, so it is important that the module is clean and fastened securely.

Mounting hardware

Tech A says that ignition modules are required for all types of ignition systems. Tech B says that the ignition module controls the break points. Who is correct?

Neither Tech A nor B

Which of the following ignition switch positions unlocks the steering column but does not enable any electrical systems or disable the engine immobilizer or theft-deterrent system?

Off

Most current production gasoline engines use ____ ignition coil(s) for each cylinder

One

The ________ can be used to test both the primary and the secondary circuits, as they tend to mirror each other.

Oscilloscope

A ________ shows all the cylinders firing in sequence.

Parade pattern

The two sets of windings in an ignition coil are the _______ winding and the _______ winding.

Primary; secondary

To perform a spark test, you must first _______.

Remove the high-tension lead or coil from the end of the spark plug

Which of these usually increases primarily because of the growing gap of the spark plug as it wears over time?

Required voltage

Tech A says that a defective crankshaft or camshaft position sensor can prevent an engine from starting. Tech B says that if a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) indicates a problem with the crankshaft or camshaft position sensor, you will always have to replace the sensor. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A says that contact breaker points are a mechanical switch that opens and closes once for every ignition spark that is created. Tech B says that contact breaker points send high voltage directly from the points to the spark plugs. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A says that on a secondary ignition pattern, the firing line shows how much voltage it takes to jump the spark plug gap. Tech B says that the spark line on a secondary pattern tells the length of the spark plug reach. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A says that one advantage of distributorless ignition systems is no moving parts to maintain. Tech B says that the resistance of the coil primary winding can best be tested with a voltmeter. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A says that you can test the ignition coil with an ohmmeter. Tech B says you can't test the ignition coil with an oscilloscope. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A states that ignition modules are used in virtually every type of ignition system except the contact breaker point system. Tech B states that ignition modules are also used in the contact breaker point system. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A states that in a contact breaker point ignition system, the number of lobes on the distributor shaft is equal to the number of cylinders. Tech B states that number of lobes is twice the number of cylinders. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A states that the triggering system in an electronic ignition system is called a pickup assembly. Tech B states that the system uses contact breaker points as triggers. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech A says that a Hall-effect switch uses light to turn a circuit on and off. Tech B says that waste spark systems don't need distributors. Who is correct?

Tech B

Tech A says that as engines gain miles, the spark plug gap increases, which raises the ignition system's available voltage. Tech B says that misfire occurs when required voltage is higher than available voltage. Who is correct?

Tech B

Tech A says that coil-on-plug ignition systems use one coil to fire two cylinders. Tech B says that you should twist spark plug boots before removing them. Who is correct?

Tech B

Tech A says that the ignition system will maintain spark at the spark plug for approximately 23 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Tech B says that the duration of spark in the spark plug only lasts 2 to 3 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Who is correct?

Tech B

Tech A says that the positive side of the coil primary circuit is typically switched by the ignition module. Tech B says that on two-wire COP coils, the coil is switched by an external ignition module or the PCM. Who is correct?

Tech B

Tech A states that in waste spark systems, there are two ignition coils for each pair of companion cylinders. Tech B states that for coil-on-plug systems, there is one ignition coil for each cylinder. Who is correct?

Tech B

A ballast resistor limits the amount of current flowing in an electrical circuit.

True

A spark plug gapping tool is used to measure and adjust the spark plug gap before installation

True

Both the ignition module and the PCM are sealed units and cannot be serviced.

True

Loose or corroded wires can also cause an ignition system to perform poorly.

True

Vehicle ignition system specifications will be in ohms or volts, or sometimes in frequency (Hz).

True

As the stationary winding of induction-type systems is influenced by the magnetic field, a ________ is induced in the winding each time the ________ changes.

Voltage, magnetic field

All of the following components are common to all ignition systems EXCEPT: . spark plugs. . the ignition coil. . a device for triggering the ignition coil. . a distributor.

a distributor

As engine rpm increases, the ignition timing must:

advance

On distributor type vehicles, when testing the secondary side of the circuit, the oscilloscope can display several scope patterns. A high firing line on just one cylinder may indicate:

an open spark plug wire.

The hottest part of the spark plug is the:

center electrode

The reluctor or trigger wheel is mounted to any of the following EXCEPT the: a. crankshaft. b. flywheel. c. crankshaft pulley. d. clutch wheel.

clutch wheel

The core of the high-tension lead is typically made of carbon-impregnated linen or ________.

fiberglass

Some spark plug boots are designed to use a ________ dielectric grease to prevent the boots from sticking to the spark plug porcelain.

high temperature

The pattern in which a lab scope shows all the cylinders firing in sequence is called the:

parade pattern

If there is a slight drag between the gapping tool gauge and the spark plug electrodes as the gauge is installed and removed, it means:

the gap of the spark plug is correct

If the coil primary circuit has continuity, the reading should be 12 volts or more when:

the ignition switch is in the run position, and the red lead or test light is connected to the negative side of the coil and the black lead to a good ground.

A low firing line indicates low resistance, a short in the circuit, or low compression.

true

As the high voltage pushes current across the spark plug electrodes, the air fuel mixture is ignited, causing very high pressure, which in turn pushes the piston down on the power stroke

true

Coil-on-plug systems have no high-tension leads at all.

true

If an engine has a misfire or exhibits a lack of power, poor fuel economy, or high emissions, the distributor cap and rotor should be inspected.

true

The condition of the spark plugs, when viewed on the electrodes side, can give a good indication of major engine problems.

true

The waste cylinder is the cylinder on the compression stroke.

true

The technician does not need to access vehicle specifications in order to make accurate tests and diagnoses. a. true b. false

?

Many manufacturers recommend that heat-conductive silicone grease be ________ the bottom of the ignition module prior to installation.

Applied to

In a contact breaker point ignition system, the ________ provides a source of energy.

Battery

If the gap is too _______, the outer electrode should be bent down slightly until it is correct.

Big

Tech A says that an inductive pickup coil can be tested for shorts and grounds with an ohmmeter. Tech B says that an inductive pickup coil pattern can be tested with a lab scope. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Tech A says that as engine RPM increases, spark timing generally increases. Tech B says that as engine load increases, spark timing generally decreases. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Tech A states that contact breaker point ignition systems were used on earlier vehicles. Tech B states that these systems required regular maintenance to run properly. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Tech A states that the crankshaft position sensor in distributorless ignition systems can be mounted at the front, middle, or back of the engine. Tech B states that the reluctor or trigger wheel can be mounted to the flywheel, the crankshaft, or the crankshaft pulley. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Tech A says that some spark plugs are made with iridium and platinum and can last 100,000 miles. Tech B says that some plugs will need to be replaced at 30,000 miles. Who is correct?

Both Techs A and B

If the electrodes are covered with black __________, the engine may be running __________.

Carbon; rich

Which of the following systems has the fewest parts, which reduces failures and maintenance the most?

Coil-on-plug ignition system

A(n) ________ system was a mechanical ignition system with a switch, called contact breaker points.

Contact breaker point ignition

In coil-on-plug systems, signals from a _______ sensor is used by the PCM to control the on/off signal to the primary windings of the coils

Crankshaft position

In coil-on-plug systems, signals from a _______ sensor is used by the PCM to control the on/off signal to the primary windings of the coils.

Crankshaft position

In electronically triggered ignition systems, the spark timing is engineered into the design of the engine and is not adjustable. Which component measures engine speed?

Crankshaft position sensor