Note: Before you begin, see. Chapter 3. Always turn off the ignition before disconnecting or connecting any component and when using a multimeter to check resistance. A voltmeter or multimeter with a resistance of 10 megohms or greater must be used to test ignition system components.
1. Electronic ignition system components are generally very reliable. Most damage is caused by loose or dirty connections, or burnt traces due to dirt, moisture, or damaged insulation. Always check all wiring thoroughly to eliminate all other possibilities of damage
2. The old method of checking for spark by holding the end of the high-tension wire a short distance from the engine is not recommended. You risk not only getting an electric shock, but also damaging the ignition coil or module. Likewise, never try to "diagnose" misfires by removing the high-tension wires one by one.
3. If you do not have sufficient experience to check the ignition system component, or if you do not have the required equipment, contact an Opel dealer. It is better to pay a specialist for the work than to risk damaging the system.
4. If the engine does not turn over at all, or turns over very slowly, check the battery and starter. Connect a voltmeter to the battery terminals and disconnect the high-tension wire from the distributor cover and ground it. When you turn the engine over with the starter (no more than 10 seconds), note the battery voltage. If it is less than 9.5 volts, check the battery, its connections, the starter and the charging system.
5. If the engine turns over at normal speed but does not start, check the high-voltage circuit by connecting a stroboscope and cranking the engine with the starter. If the device lights, voltage is reaching the spark plugs, so the next step is to check the plugs themselves. If there is no light, check the high-voltage wires, just behind the distributor cap, carbon brush, and distributor rotor.
6. If there is an ignition spark, check the fuel system for proper operation (Sections 4A or 4B).
7. If there is no ignition spark, check the voltage in the ignition coil at the "+" or "15" terminal; it should be equal to the battery voltage (that is, at least 11.7 volts). If the voltage at the ignition coil is more than 1 volt lower than the battery voltage, check the connections from the ignition switch to the battery and ground point. However, it should be noted that the ECU controls the power supply to the ignition coil; do not attempt to "test" the ECU with anything other than the Opel specific test equipment. When testing any wiring to the ECU, always disconnect the relevant connector from the ECU first so that there is no risk of damaging the unit due to voltages coming from the test equipment.
8. If the ignition coil receives normal input voltage, check the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil (refer to Chapter 16). Replace the ignition coil if it is faulty, but first check the condition of the low voltage wiring connections to ensure that the damage is not due to dirty or loose connectors.
9. If the ignition coil is in good condition, the fault may be in the amplifier module or distributor on the C16 NZ and C16 NZ2 engines, or in the amplifier or crankshaft speed/position sensor on the C18 NZ engine. A quick check of these components is as follows: Connect a low-power lamp across the terminals (disconnected) ignition coil low voltage wiring.
If the lamp flickers or lights up when the engine is cranked, the amplifier and distributor (engines C16 NZ and C16 NZ2), or amplifier and crankshaft speed/position sensor (c18 NZ engine), are in good working order.
10. In this case, the entire low voltage wiring circuit is in good condition; and the damage, if it is related to the ignition system, must be in the high-voltage elements of the circuit. They must be carefully checked as described above.
11. If the indicator or lamp does not light, the damage may be in the amplifier or distributor (engines C16 NZ and C16 NZ2), or in the amplifier or crankshaft speed/position sensor (c18 NZ engine). It should be noted that most often the cause of the "breakdown" may be a weak connection, between components directly or at the connections of the low-voltage circuit wiring.
If you suspect such damage, please contact your Opel dealer.
12. Intermittent misfires can be caused either by a loose connection or break in the low voltage circuit, or by damage to the high voltage wiring on the distributor rotor side
13. With the ignition switched off, carefully check the entire system. If special equipment is available, check the low voltage circuit as described in points 7-11 above.
14. Make sure the ignition coil, distributor cap and high tension wires are clean and dry. Check the wires and spark plugs (replacement with known good ones), then check the distributor cover, carbon brush and distributor rotor.
15. Regular cutting off is almost always due to damage to the distributor cap, high-tension wires or spark plugs. Stroboscope (item 5 above) check if high voltage is present on all high voltage wiring.
16. If there is no high voltage on any wire, the damage is in that wire or in the cover of the breaker-distributor. If there is voltage on the wiring, then the damage is in the spark plugs; check and replace them if there is any doubt about their condition.
17. If no voltage is present, check the ignition coil; rotor windings may be damaged under load.
18. If all components have been checked but the fault cannot be found, contact your Opel dealer for testing on special equipment.
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