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Category: Ignition

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September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ballast Resistor Replacement

Modern ignition systems use electronic circuitry to control voltage during engine starting and operation, but it wasn’t always this way. Older vehicles with points and coils did not have the benefit of circuit boards and computers, so another way to control voltage was needed. The ballast resistor coil was the solution. Think of it as a giant fuse in a way, although it serves a much greater purpose. The ballast resistor coil plays several roles in your engine and charging system. In terms of position, it’s located between the ignition switch and the positive battery cable. During engine operation, the ballast resistor is responsible for lowering voltage applied to the coil to ensure that it doesn’t overheat and burn out, or damage the battery. During cranking, the ballast resistor allows normal battery voltage into the coil to ensure a good, strong spark for starting the engine. The ballast resistor is subjected to significant amounts of heat during operation (the resistor’s resistance level increases or decreases with the application of heat and voltage). Over time, it will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

 

The ballast resistor is not inspected during normal maintenance. | The ballast resistor is subject to significant amounts of wear and tear. | Ballast resistors are not generally found on fuel-injected engines.

 

The Ballast Resistor is verified that it needs to be replaced. The battery and battery tray are | removed. | The defective Ballast Resistor disconnected and removed. | The new Ballast Resistor is installed, secured, and connected. | The battery tray and battery are reinstalled. The Ballast Resistor is tested for operation. The vehicle is tested to ensure proper operation of the Ballast Resistor and road tested to ensure fan operation.

 

Over time and through normal use, the ballast resistor is subject to a great deal of wear and tear, and heat. This can cause it to fail unexpectedly. When this happens, your vehicle will experience unwanted, and perhaps dangerous, operation. It may crank but then stop running immediately after. Have any starting problems immediately diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics.

 

Without a ballast resistor, your engine will not operate unless you jump the resistor, which is dangerous, as it will eventually burn out the points, and is not recommended. If your engine dies immediately after turning the key back to run from start, likely the ballast resistor needs to be replaced. If the engine runs with the key in the run position, you may have another issue. Have it properly diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics immediately

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement

When the engine is running, high voltage created by the ignition coil travels through the coil wire to the ignition rotor. As the ignition rotor turns in the distributor, the rotor distributes the spark by sending it in a synchronized order through the spark plug wires to the spark plug located in each of the engine’s cylinders. The distributor is a main component of the ignition system. It takes very high voltage and delivers it to fire the spark plugs.

 

When the distributor rotor and cap are replaced, the entire ignition system should be inspected. | After replacing the distributor rotor and cap, the ignition wires will need to be reinstalled.

 

Check the ignition system. | Replace the cap and rotor if found faulty. | Re-check the ignition system. | Check ignition timing if needed.

 

Whenever your vehicle has routine maintenance or servicing, the ignition system should be inspected thoroughly. If you ever notice your ignition system having a hard time (such as your car having trouble turning on or staying on), then you should schedule an inspection.

 

The distributor rotor and cap is used when the engine is running. During this time, high voltage is created by the ignition coil, and sent through the coil wire to the ignition rotor. This rotor turns inside the distributor, and as it does so, it evenly distributes sparks to the spark plugs, through the spark plug wires. The spark plugs then use this spark to ignite the fuel mixture, which allows the engine to keep running. If the distributor rotor and cap malfunction, the voltage from the ignition coil won’t be redistributed to the spark plugs, and your engine will either have a hard time running, or won’t run at all.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Electronic Ignition Pickup Replacement

Electricity is a major player in your vehicle’s operation. A spark of electricity is created by the spark plug which ignites fuel in the engine’s cylinders. The spark is directed to the correct spark plug by the distributor’s electronic ignition pickup. Inside the distributor, an electrical component known as the electronic ignition pickup senses the position of the distributor and communicates that information with the engine control module. The engine control module uses this information to determine when the ignition coil should send an electrical pulse, which is directed to a specific cylinder’s spark plug to ignite the fuel and create engine power. If the electronic ignition pickup stops working, or if wiring to the ignition pickup coil is damaged or corroded, the engine will simply turn over but not run. A no-start condition is usually preceded by an intermittent surging feeling or loss of power before the ignition pickup fails completely. Typically, the Check Engine light will not come on to indicate an electronic ignition problem.

 

The engine can fail to start as a result of the electronic ignition pickup, but the pickup is not the | only probable cause. One of our expert technicians will need to diagnose your no-start condition for an accurate repair. A failing electronic ignition pickup can be difficult to detect. Any rough running or surging engine conditions should be diagnosed for possible ignition pickup problems.

 

The battery is disconnected | The old electronic ignition pickup is removed | The new electronic ignition pickup is installed | The vehicle battery is reconnected | The vehicle electronic ignition pickup is checked for proper operation

 

During your engine’s spark plug replacement and tune-up, the ignition system performance should be checked as well. If the electronic ignition pickup is diagnosed as faulty, one of our expert technicians will need to replace it.

 

If the electronic ignition pickup works intermittently, your engine will run poorly or surge. Once it fails completely, your engine will not run. To prevent being stranded by a car that will not run, have a suspected electronic ignition pickup problem diagnosed and repaired before this happens.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ignition Cable (Spark plug wires) Replacement

The ignition cables, also known as “spark plug wires” are part of the ignition system. They transfer the spark from the distributor or ignition coil to spark plugs that ignite the air-fuel mixture, starting the engine. Over time, the cables can get weak and break down. This will make it harder for the spark to reach the engine cylinders, resulting in engine misfires. The car may not start at all. If one of the spark plugs has gone bad, the car will still start and run, but it will run poorly.

 

Ignition cable failure is often caused by other failing pieces in the ignition system; a mechanic | should check for any other malfunctioning parts, and replace any parts of the system that don’t | work. Every time the ignition cables are replaced, the spark plugs should be inspected. Leaking oil or coolant can cause ignition wire failure. If this is the case, the cause of the leak should be repaired or replaced, or else the new ignition wires will quickly be damaged as well.

 

Scan the computer system in the car for codes. | Inspect ignition cables (look for white spots). | Ohm test on individual cables. | Remove and replace the cables if found faulty. | Inspect the spark plugs. | Clear the codes.

 

Ignition wires should be replaced at least every 60,000 miles, but whenever your car is serviced, it’s a good idea to have the entire ignition system inspected. Any time that you have spark plugs replaced, it’s a good idea to have the ignition wires replaced as well. If you notice that your engine is running poorly, you should schedule an inspection.

 

The fuel in your automobile is ignited by a spark. This starts with the ignition coil, which transforms low voltage power into extremely high voltage. This high voltage is transferred through the ignition cables, and to the spark plug, where a spark is created that ignites the engine’s fuel, and powers the engine. When one or more ignition cables fail, this voltage will not be transferred from the ignition coil to the spark plugs, and the fuel will not be ignited. Depending on how many of your ignition cables malfunction, your car will either run poorly, or won’t run at all.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ignition Coil Replacement

An ignition coil transforms ignition voltage (12 volts) to the very high voltage pulses (20,000 volts or more) that fire the spark plugs. The number of ignition coils varies depending on car model and year of production. Older cars will have one coil covering all engine cylinders while newer cars may have a coil-on-plug type arrangement — that is every cylinder will have its own dedicated ignition coil. When to consider replacing an ignition coil: Hard starting or no start. Ignition coils are subject to heat damage and electrical overload, both of which can cause partial or total failure. If the coil is faulty, you may have difficulty starting your car or it may not start at all. Misfiring, loss of power, poor acceleration. Once the car is running, a bad ignition coil can cause poor operation of the engine. Should you have misfiring or loss of power, faulty ignition coils would be among the list of causes a mechanic would investigate. The Check Engine Light will often come on with a trouble code(s) indicating which cylinders are involved. How do mechanics replace the ignition coil? The ignition is checked to assure it is in the “off” position. For single coils that supply all cylinders, the coil is disconnected from either a bracket located in the engine compartment or, in some cases, is removed from within the distributor. The replacement coil is secured and all electrical connections reattached. If the distributor was removed for any reason, the timing is adjusted as required. For individual coil-on-plug applications, the coil is detached from the top of the individual spark plug and replaced. Once the coil is securely in place, all electrical connections are reattached, and timing adjusted as needed, the car is road tested to ensure normal operation. Is it safe to drive with an ignition coil problem? Yes. A malfunctioning ignition coil will cause loss of power and lower fuel efficiency but that will not present an immediate safety issue. If the coil malfunction is causing misfiring, this will allow unburned fuel to enter and permanently damage the catalytic converter from overheating. When replacing an ignition coil keep in mind: Ignition coil failure can be caused by faulty spark plugs or wires. The mechanic will inspect and may recommend replacement of those components. In a coil-on-plug ignition system, if only one coil fails, you need only replace the faulty coil. Remaining functioning coils can be left in place. In systems with the coil located in the distributor, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire distributor rather than remove and replace just the coil.

 

 

 

 

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ignition Ignitor Replacement

The car ignition ignitor or ignitor control module is usually located inside the distributor, though it may be a separate component. It is responsible for the basic process of starting your car, and in some vehicles, advances or slows the engine’s timing. It works by amplifying the signal from the ignition reluctor and sending that signal to the engine control module. This sends battery power to the primary ignition coil and causes your spark plugs to fire. If the ignition ignitor fails, your vehicle will run rough or your engine may not start.

 

Ignition ignitor replacement is not a part of routine maintenance. | A faulty ignition ignitor can cause your car to be difficult to start. | Other problems can mimic a faulty ignition ignitor.

 

The battery is disconnected and the distributor cap and rotor removed | The defective ignition Igniter is removed | The new ignition ignitor is installed | The distributor rotor and cap are reinstalled | The engine is started and ignition checked

 

The ignition ignitor is not replaced or checked as part of regular maintenance. If you suspect your ignition ignitor is faulty or the ignition system is not working as designed, have one of our expert mechanics inspect and replace the ignition ignitor.

 

Other components, such as a weak battery, contaminated fuel, or fouled spark plugs could cause similar problems. If the problem persists, you should get one of our mechanics to diagnose the problem. It could be the ignitor or something else in the starting and fuel systems.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ignition Relay Replacement

Your car ignition relay is an electrical component that switches power to your fuel and ignition systems. When you turn the key to the On position, the ignition relay switches allow power to be diverted to systems needed to operate your vehicle. The ignition coil then receives power from the battery and delivers it to your spark plugs. This process ignites the fuel and enables your vehicle to run.

 

Ignition relay replacement is not a part of routine maintenance. | A faulty ignition relay can drain your battery. | Ignition switches that are improperly soldered can cause starting problems. | A buildup of hard oxide on the relay can cause the switch to malfunction.

 

The battery is disconnected and vehicle placed on jack stands | The defective solenoid is removed | The new solenoid is installed | The battery is reconnected and the jack stands are removed | The ignition is turned on to test the relay operation

 

The ignition relay is important to the operation of your vehicle. If your ignition relay is faulty, your vehicle will not start or a parasitic load will drain your battery when the ignition is off. If you suspect the ignition relay is faulty or your vehicle has ignition related problems, have one of our expert mechanics diagnose and repair it.

 

The ignition relay is an important component for vehicle operation. If your car is stalling while idling in traffic, there are potential safety issues. If your vehicle will not start because of a faulty ignition relay, you may be stranded. Have your ignition relay replaced once it has been deemed faulty.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Ignition Switch Replacement

The ignition switch, located on the steering column or in the dashboard, takes the power from the battery and directs it to all the accessories and electrical components of your car. It also transfers the power to the starter when you turn the ignition key. If the starter does not receive power from the ignition key, the car will not start. When the ignition switch goes bad, your car may not start and the accessories (lights, radio, etc.) may not work. Replacing an ignition switch can be as simple as removing a few screws to access the ignition switch, or as complicated as removing the whole steering column.

 

After an ignition switch is replaced, all electrical components should be checked to ensure proper operation.

 

Check the condition of the ignition switch. | Remove and replace the ignition switch if it is bad. | Verify operation of electrical components.

 

The battery feeds power to ignition switch, so it is important for the ignition system that the battery is in good condition. Don’t put too much weight on your key ring because this can damage the key and the tumbler part of the ignition switch. If there is no power inside the car (none of the electrical components are working), have the mechanic inspect the main fuses. If the fuses are good, then the mechanic should inspect the ignition switch and other electrical components.

 

The ignition switch serves to send power from the battery. When you turn your key to turn on your vehicle, the ignition switch takes power from the battery and sends it to the starter, which allows your vehicle to turn on. When you turn on any electrical components in your vehicle (such as your lights, radio, and air conditioning), the ignition switch draws power from the battery, and sends it to these electrical components to power them. When your ignition switch stops working, your starter and your electrical components have no way of drawing power from your battery. With a faulty ignition switch, you won’t be able to use your radio, lights, or air conditioning, and you won’t be able to turn on your vehicle. In extreme cases, a broken ignition switch won’t allow you to turn your vehicle off, even if you remove the key.

September 26, 2026 BY
IN Ignition

Spark Plug Replacement

Spark plugs are one of the key components of your vehicle’s ignition system. They ignite gasoline and air inside of your engine. This gives your engine the power to propel you down the road. The spark plug takes high voltage electricity from the ignition coil and creates a spark at just right moment during the engine’s combustion cycle. This gives the engine the best mix of power, fuel economy and low emissions. However, the electrode at the end of the spark plug eventually wears out and can cause performance issues. When should you replace spark plugs? Replacement should follow the vehicle maintenance schedule. This will be listed in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Some cars require regular replacement at 30k, 60k or 100k miles. It is possible in some cases that a spark plug might fail before the service schedule, but it’s not typically common. Avoiding spark plug replacement can cause: Difficulty starting your car. Check engine light for a misfire code. Flashing check engine light during acceleration for misfire, this can cause engine damage. Reduced fuel economy and/or power. Rough idle and/or unexplained engine vibration. Failed State emission testing. Even if only one spark plug is found to be faulty, they should always be replaced in sets. Most engines will require 4,6, or 8 spark plugs. How do mechanics replace spark plugs? Spark plugs are threaded into the engine’s cylinder head(s). Most cars have one plug per cylinder, so a four-cylinder engine will have four plugs, a six-cylinder engine will have six plugs, and so forth. The mechanic will: Have the correct spark plugs on hand for your vehicle Pull any diagnostic trouble codes that may be related to worn spark plugs. Remove the original spark plugs and look at removed spark plugs for any clues indicating engine mis-operation exists; such as oil burning, excessively rich mixture, pre-ignition damage etc. Inform owner of any found unusual conditions. Install new plugs using a torque wrench. Finally, a road test of the vehicle to confirm normal operation. Is it safe to drive with worn spark plugs? Yes, but spark plugs that are worn enough to cause engine-misfiring have the potential to cause engine damage and overheating of the catalytic converter. Regardless of the age of the plugs, or mileage, if the engine misfires or runs poorly, the plugs should be inspected for defects. Generally, spark plug failure will not keep the engine from running, but in cases of extreme wear, you may experience a limitation in the speed at which you can drive the car. If the maintenance schedule says the plugs should be replaced, it is best to do so promptly. When having spark plugs replaced keep in mind: High-speed driving may accelerate spark plug wear. Consider earlier than required inspection and tune-up if you operate the car in severe conditions. Plugs should always be promptly replaced per the manufacturer maintenance schedule even if they appear to be working perfectly. If your vehicle is equipped with spark plug wires (as opposed to a coil-on-plug system), the wires should be replaced at the same time. This may increase the cost of your repair. It is possible that when doing a spark plug replacement, your vehicle may also need additional parts like ignition coils, this will add to the repair cost. Some engines require that the intake manifold be removed while replacing spark plugs. This may increase the parts and labor cost for the repair. Leaking valve cover gaskets, which have let oil get in contact with the spark plugs, coils or wires, may be the cause of ignition system issues. Valve cover gaskets will need to be replaced in addition to the spark plugs, wires or coils. This will add to the repair cost.

 

 

 

 

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