To test the control unit, the Renault workshop has a so-called test case, with which the entire ignition system of the Renault 19 can be systematically tested via the diagnostic socket.
Thus, it makes no sense to replace due to suspicion or after verification «by eye» any working part. In addition, the individual engine controls are different and not interchangeable.
All of the above indicates that self-repair in the absence of appropriate instrumentation is a mistake; it is better and cheaper to contact a Renault workshop.
Anyone who wants to find the cause of a malfunction in the ignition system must search systematically. An accurate check of the elements of the ignition system mentioned below is described below.
Surface inspection
- Are the wires and connectors firmly connected to the ignition coil and control unit?
- Are there any cracks or burn marks on the ignition coil body from sparks?
- Is there any damage to the distributor cap?
- Check the tightness of the installation and the condition of the central high voltage wire and spark plug wires. Electronic ignition systems are much more likely to leak current and spark than older ignition systems.
- Disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug.
- Put the wire back on the spark plug and position it in such a way on the engine housing that it has good ground contact.
- Have an assistant turn the engine over.
- If strong spark discharges jump between the electrodes of the candle, then there is current in the ignition system.
- If there are no sparks, then you need to check, according to the instructions below.
Voltage in the ignition system
Along with a complete failure of the ignition system due to low voltage, even a small lack of voltage can cause significant malfunctions. Therefore, a voltmeter is best suited to check the voltage in this case.
Remember that gauges can only be connected and disconnected when the ignition is off.
1. Connect a voltmeter to the terminal «+» (yellow cable) ignition coils and ground.
2. If the voltage is about 11.5V, see below.
3. If there is no voltage or it is less than the mentioned value, then this may be due to the reasons described.
4. Leave further checks to the specialists from the workshop, since during one of the subsequent checks a new ignition module must be connected, and during the other a new control device.
Sources of faults
- Battery status (degree of charge).
- Broken ignition wires.
- Faulty ignition switch in terminals B1 or A2.
- Break in the wires between the ignition switch and the multi-pin connector of the ignition module or control device.
Other causes of malfunctions
If the ignition coil generates a charge for a spark, but it does not enter the last link in the chain, namely the spark plug, then it is necessary to further check the following nodes:
- Plug-in connections of the high voltage wire to the ignition coil.
- High voltage wire.
- Spark plug wires.
- Spark plug.