Sample Review Questions:
1. Which of the following components generates a timing trigger signal for the ignition system?
a. Crankshaft position sensor
b. Ignition module
c. Ignition coil
d. Rotor
2.
Counterman A says a Coil-On-Plug (COP) ignition system has one ignition
coil for every pair of spark plugs. Counterman B says a “Waste Spark”
ignition system does not use a distributor, rotor or spark plug wires.
Who is right?
a. Counterman A only
b. Counterman B only
c. Both Counterman A and B
d. Neither one
3. A spark plug’s “heat range” can be determined by:
a. Its part number
b. Measuring the length of the spark plug
c. Measuring the diameter of the spark plug
d. Measuring the electrode gap
4. All of the following about iridium spark plugs is true EXCEPT:
a. The electrode gap is different than an ordinary spark plug
b. They usually have a single ground electrode
c. They typically have a smaller diameter center electrode than ordinary spark plugs
d. They have a service life of 100,000 miles or more
ANSWER KEY
1A, 2D, 3A, 4A
EXPLANATIONS:
1.
The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) may be mounted on the front, side
or rear of the engine. The sensor reads notches in the crankshaft
balancer, crankshaft or flywheel to generate a timing signal for the
PCM and ignition system. There are two basic types of crank sensors:
magnetic and Hall effect. Loss of the sensor signal will prevent the
engine from starting (no spark). In older engines with distributors, a
magnetic or Hall effect pickup in the distributor generates a trigger
signal for the ignition module to fire the ignition coil. A bad pickup
or damaged wiring can cause a no spark condition.
2.
Coil-on-plug ignition systems have one coil per spark plug, mounted
directly over the spark plugs. No spark plug wires are used.
Some
distributorless ignition systems (DIS) are “waste spark” systems,
meaning one coil fires two spark plugs simultaneously. The shared plugs
are opposite each other in the engine’s firing order, so the second
plug fires during the exhaust stroke and does nothing. The advantage
with the waste spark approach is that it reduces the number of
individual coils in the ignition system by half. The disadvantage is
the waste spark accelerates electrode wear in the spark plugs unless
double platinum or iridium spark plugs are used.
3. The “heat
range” (operating temperature) of a spark plug depends on the internal
design of the center electrode, the distance heat has to travel inside
the plug from the electrode to the metal shell and the conductivity of
the center electrode. Copper core center electrodes are often used to
increase thermal conductivity and provide a broader heat range.
If
a spark plug is too cold for an engine application, it may experience
fouling and misfiring problems. If a spark plug is too hot for an
engine application, it may become a source of pre-ignition/detonation
when the engine is under load.
The heat range is determined by the
spark plug manufacturer with engine testing, and is encoded in the
spark plug number. You can use a heat range reference chart to look up
hotter or colder spark plugs within a brand line, or use a
cross-reference chart to look up other brand spark plugs with a similar
heat range.
4. Iridium spark plugs have a thin wire iridium
center electrode. Like platinum plugs, they typically have a service
life of 100,000 miles plus. Most iridium plugs have a single ground
electrode, and the gap is set the same as a standard spark plug. Some
platinum plugs have two or four ground electrodes and have a wide,
nonadjustable surface gap design.
Sections covered:
Automatic Transmission
Batteries
Brakes
Cooling System
Drivetrain
Emissions
Engine Mechanical Parts
Exhaust
Fuel System
HVAC
Gaskets
Ignition System
Manual Transmission
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