system, refer to the manufacturer’s manual. Not all
systems may be checked for spark across a gap to ground
without damaging the module. Other systems may only
allow specific plug wires to be tested by sparking across
the gap. Since these components are easily damaged by
heat, shock, or reverse polarity, you must be extra
careful in checking them. The following steps form the
procedure for troubleshooting breakerless systems:
1. Pull the high-voltage cable from the distributor
cap and hold the loose end of the cable about one-half
of an inch from a good grounding point on the engine
block.
2. With the ignition switch ON, crank the engine
and look for a spark to bridge the gap between the loose
end of the cable and the grounding point. If you see a
blue spark, reconnect the high-voltage cable to the
distributor and proceed to Step 3. If you do not see a
spark or see a weak spark, proceed to Step 4.
3. Pull the cable from a spark plug and hold the
loose end of the cable about one-half of an inch from the
spark plug terminal. With the ignition switch ON, crank
the engine and look for a spark to bridge the gap between
the loose end of the spark plug cable and spark plug
terminal. A blue spark here indicates a normal operating
condition.
4. With a weak spark or no spark, test the coil. Since
a special coil is used in this ignition system, you cannot
test it with a conventional coil tester. Use an ohmmeter to
check the continuity of the primary and secondary
windings of the coil. With leads disconnected from the coil,
connect the ohmmeter across the primary terminals. If the
meter reading is infinite, the primary winding is open. The
Table 4-1.-Troubleshooting Chrysler Electronic Ignition
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