TEST 1: Making Sure The Igniter Is Getting Power
IMPORTANT: If the ignition coils are creating and delivering spark to all four cylinders, the igniter is functioning correctly. If you haven't yet tested the ignition coils for spark, please do so before testing the igniter.
Like the majority of the electronic components on your Toyota Tercel, the igniter requires 12 Volts DC and Ground to function.
In this test section, we'll make sure that the black with white stripe (BLK/WHT) wire is delivering 10 to 12 Volts DC when you turn the key to the on position.
If power is being delivered to the igniter, we'll move on to the next test (which is testing for Ground).
WIRING DIAGRAM: Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1997-1998 1.5L Toyota Tercel).
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the igniter from its 8-wire electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 3
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the BLK/WHT wire of the igniter's electrical connector.
This is the wire that connects to terminal number 7 in the illustration above (of the igniter's harness connector). - 4
Connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) terminal.
- 5
Have your helper turn the key to the ON position.
- 6
Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC if the igniter and ignition coils are getting battery power.
Let's take a look at what your test results mean:
CASE 1: The igniter is getting 10 to 12 Volts DC. This is the correct and expected test result. The next step is to make sure the igniter is getting Ground. For this step, go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The Igniter Is Getting Ground.
CASE 2: The igniter IS NOT getting battery power. This tells you that the igniter is not working due to a lack of battery power.
Your next step is to find out why this battery power is missing and restore it. Once battery power is restored, the igniter should function again.
TEST 2: Making Sure The Igniter Is Getting Ground
Now that you've confirmed that the igniter is getting power in TEST 2, the next test is to make sure that it's getting Ground.
To test for Ground we'll do a simple multimeter voltage test on the white with black stripe (WHT/BLK) wire of the igniter's connector.
The white with black stripe (WHT/BLK) wire connects to the female terminal labeled with the number 3 in the illustration above.
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the igniter from its 8-wire electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 3
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal.
- 4
Connect the black multimeter test lead to the WHT/BLK wire of the igniter's electrical connector.
This is the wire that connects to terminal number 3 in the illustration above (of the igniter's harness connector). - 5
Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC with the Key On and Off (if Ground is present).
Let's take a look at what your test results mean:
CASE 1: The igniter is getting Ground. This is the correct and expected test result.
The next step is to make sure the igniter is getting the IGT signals from the fuel injection computer. For this step, go to: TEST 3: Testing The Igniter Control Signals.
CASE 2: The igniter IS NOT getting Ground. This tells you that the igniter is not working due to a lack of chassis Ground.
Your next step is to find out why this Ground is missing and restore it. Once Ground is restored, the igniter should function again.