- No Engine Spark. The pickup coil sends the signal from the ignition module to the spark plugs during the ignition process. ...
- Rough Idle. Because the spark plugs are not communicating proper timing to the fuel injectors, a rough idle may occur. ...
- Engine Stall/Failure to Accelerate.
What are the signs of a bad distributor pickup?
- Engine Fails to Start.
- Plug Wire Engine Miss.
- Reduced Fuel Economy.
- Weak Spark.
- Electrical Arc and Shorts.
- Hard Starting.
- Smog Check Failure.
What happens if pick up coil goes bad?
A pickup coil that has failed, or is about to, may also cause engine stalling and an inability to accelerate smoothly because the fuel injectors are not firing properly. Engine stalling will occur as the vehicle warms up with rough idling being the first clue that a stall is about to happen.
How does a distributor pick up coil work?
The pickup coil consists of a hall effect sensor, which is housed within a metal rotor mounted on top of the distributor shaft. ... As the rotor spins, the windows pass in front of the sensor, exposing it the magnet which triggers a signal to the car’s ignition system which then fires a spark within the firing order.
How do you test a distributor pickup coil?
On distributors with the pickup separate from the module assembly, you can check the pickup using your Ohm meter . Connect the leads from your Ohm meter to the 2 leads of the pickup. If you show a resistance of 50 to 200 Ohms, the pickup is functioning correctly.
What are signs of a bad ignition coil?
- Engine misfires.
- Rough idle.
- A decrease in car power, especially in acceleration.
- Poor fuel economy.
- Difficulty starting the engine.
- Check engine light is on.
- Exhaust backfiring.
- Increased hydrocarbon emissions.
How do you test a pickup coil?
Connect the red (positive) lead of the multimeter to the outer, positive terminal of the ignition coil. Turn the reading dial on the multimeter to ohms to measure resistance of the primary pickup coil. (The Greek letter omega denotes ohms.)
How do you test a MSD magnetic pickup?
The magnetic pickup in MSD Distributors can also be checked with an Ohm meter to make sure it is within operating specifications. Once again, connect the Ohm meter’s leads to the two terminals of the pickup. The resistance should be within 400 – 1,300 ohms.
How do you remove a pickup coil from a distributor?
- Remove the air cleaner to gain access to the coil. Disconnect the electrical wires by removing the two nuts holding the positive and negative wires to the top of the coil, using a wrench. ...
- Remove the coil from the coil-mounting bracket, using the 1/4-inch-drive ratchet and a socket to pull out the bolts.
What is the pick up in a distributor?
Electronic ignition pickups are a component found on traditional electronic distributor ignition systems. They are located inside the distributor and function as the trigger for the ignition system to produce spark.
What is the difference between a pickup coil and an ignition coil?
Ignition coil and pickup coil are two differnt things. The pickup coil is the magnetic pulse generator inside a distributor that sends a signal to the computer and ignition module. Unless you have a older Ford you don’t have a pickup coil. Ford TFI uses a Hall effect switch to operate the ignition system.
What would be a reasonable voltage at the tip of a spark plug?
Spark plugs usually require voltage of 12,000–25,000 volts or more to ‘fire’ properly, although it can go up to 45,000 volts. They supply higher current during the discharge process resulting in a hotter and longer-duration spark.
What does a bad ignition coil sound like?
Engine misfiring will be seen in a vehicle whose ignition coils have failed. Trying to start the engine of such a vehicle will result in engine misfiring that sounds like a coughing, sputtering noise . ... A vehicle with a failed ignition coil will also result in vibration when it is idling at a stop sign or light.
Can you drive with a bad ignition coil?
It is possible to drive with a faulty Coil On Plug (COP), but not advisable . Driving with a faulty waste spark ignition system won’t be possible. Driving with a faulty coil pack can damage other components of the engine. ... You’ll also learn how to diagnose and replace your faulty coil.
How do I test my ignition system?
Connect your multimeter to the positive terminal or pin of your coil, and to the high output terminal that goes to the spark plug. Most ignition coils should have a secondary resistance falling somewhere between 6,000 to 10,000 ohms;however, refer to manufacturer specifications for the correct range.
How many ohms should a pickup coil have?
The proper pick up coil resistance for either coil should be in range from 350 to 700Ω .
