Pontiac 10495089 Distributor Ignition Pickup

To check the ignition coil, start by connecting one lead of an ohmmeter to the terminal of the ignition coil lead and the other lead to the ground. Flex the leads by hand to check for intermittent opens, and the ohmmeter should always indicate infinite resistance. If it doesn't, the ignition coil is defective and needs to be replaced. Next, connect the ohmmeter leads to both terminals of the ignition coil lead and flex the leads by hand again. The ohmmeter should read a steady value between 500 and 1,500 ohms as the leads are flexed. If it doesn't, the ignition coil is defective and should be replaced. To remove the ignition coil, start by detaching the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Then, remove the distributor cap and rotor, and if necessary, remove the distributor itself. Remove the spring clip from the distributor shaft and mark the distributor tang drive and shaft for reassembly. Set the distributor in a vise with a shop rag to protect the shaft, and use a hammer and punch to remove the roll pin from the distributor shaft and gear. Lift the ignition coil assembly straight up and remove it from the distributor, noting the order in which the pieces were removed. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly.

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Caution: On models equipped with the Theftlock audio system, be sure the lockout feature is turned off before performing any procedure which requires disconnecting the battery. Remove the distributor cap and rotor. Remove the distributor from the engine. Detach the ignition coil leads from the module. Mark the distributor shaft and gear so they can be reassembled in the same relationship. Carefully mount the distributor in a vise equipped with soft jaws and, using a hammer and punch, remove the roll pin from the distributor shaft and gear. Pull out the distributor shaft. To remove the ignition coil, mount the distributor shaft in a vise equipped with soft jaws and, using a pin punch and hammer, knock out the roll pin. Remove the driven gear and spacer washers or springs from the end of the shaft-be sure to note their installed order. Remove the shaft from the distributor. To detach the ignition coil, remove the retaining clip. Lift the ignition coil assembly straight up and detach it from the distributor. Installation is the reverse of removal.

For models before 1974 the process includes disconnecting electrical connections of the unit, and two screws for mounting, which should be marked for reinstallation. For models manufactured from 1975 and up you should begin by removing the battery wire and harness connector from the distributor cap. Then, there is the coil cover which is fixed with three screws and the coil assembly which is fixed by four screws. The best thing to do is to ensure one notes the position of each wire or remove the labels if any then the removal of the coil ground wire as well as the pushing of the leads from the underside of the connectors to remove the coil from the distributor cap. Installation is done in the order of what is illustrated in the figure above and keen attention should be given to the leads to link them to their correct places.

For models prior to 1974, the procedure involves unbolstering of two mounting screws for the ignition coil and removal of electrical connection where it is recommended that the connection should be marked to facilitate reinstallation of the connection. For all models starting from 1975, start by removing the battery wire and the harness connector from the cap of the distributor. Next, unscrew the coil cover having three screws, and the coil assembly having four screws; this is from the distributor cap. Wires should also be labelled for easier fixing in the case they get disconnected; it's also advisable to remove the coil ground wire and from the bottom of the connectors to remove the coil in the distributor cap. The process of installation is just the opposite of that used while removing showing the leads in their proper connection and examining the condition of the center electrode before placing a new coil in it.

To check the ignition coil, start by connecting one lead of an ohmmeter to the terminal of the ignition coil lead and the other lead to the ground. Flex the leads by hand to check for intermittent opens, and the ohmmeter should always indicate infinite resistance. If it doesn't, the ignition coil is defective and needs to be replaced. Next, connect the ohmmeter leads to both terminals of the ignition coil lead and flex the leads by hand again. The ohmmeter should read a steady value between 500 and 1,500 ohms as the leads are flexed. If it doesn't, the ignition coil is defective and should be replaced. To remove the ignition coil, start by detaching the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Then, remove the distributor cap and rotor, and if necessary, remove the distributor itself. Remove the spring clip from the distributor shaft and mark the distributor tang drive and shaft for reassembly. Set the distributor in a vise with a shop rag to protect the shaft, and use a hammer and punch to remove the roll pin from the distributor shaft and gear. Lift the ignition coil assembly straight up and remove it from the distributor, noting the order in which the pieces were removed. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly.

To examine the ignition coil, remove the distributor cap, and rotor, and disconnect its wiring from the ignition module. Test for continuity between coil connector terminals and the distributor body; if found, the coil is shorted and needs replacement. Measure the resistance, it should be between 500 and 1,500 ohms and if out of range, replace the coil. To do so, remove the distributor, disconnect the coil leads, mark the distributor gear for reassembly, and remove the gear. Extract the shaft, remove any shields, and pry out the coil using the C-clip. Reinstall in reverse order.

Start by removing the distributor cap and disconnecting the coil. Use an ohmmeter to check the resistance across the primary connections, ensuring it is close to zero. Then, test the resistance between the primary ground and the coil secondary connector, using both solid wire and dotted line connections. If the readings are infinite, the coil needs to be replaced.

For models with a separately mounted coil, you should perform various ohmmeter tests to check for opens and grounds. If any of these tests indicate a problem, you should replace the coil.

Preliminary checks should include a visual inspection of circuits, ensuring PCM grounds are clean and tight, checking vacuum hoses for damage, inspecting air intake ducts for issues, verifying air leaks at various sealing surfaces, and examining ignition wires and connections for wear or damage.

If the distributor is equipped with a Hall Effect switch attached to the top of the pick-up coil, it is removed by removing the two retaining screws.

Remove the ignition coil arc seal, clean it with a soft cloth, and inspect the cap for defects, replacing it as necessary.

Remove the mounting fasteners to separate the coil from the engine.

To check the Enhanced Distributor Ignition (EDI) System, start by detaching the primary electrical connector from the coil and ensure it receives battery voltage with the ignition key ON (engine not running).

Remove the distributor cap and rotor.

Place the assembly back on the engine and connect the electrical connectors and coil wire.

Connect the ohmmeter leads to both terminals of the pick-up coil lead and flex the leads by hand again. The ohmmeter should read a steady value between 500 and 1,500 ohms as the leads are flexed.

To check the Distributorless Ignition System (DIS), make sure the coil receives battery voltage with the ignition key ON (engine not running). Use an ohmmeter to check the secondary resistance for each coil pack and the primary resistance for each coil pack. Refer to the specifications for the correct resistance values. For removal, detach the battery cable, unplug the electrical connectors from the module, label and detach the plug wires at the coil assembly if not numbered, and remove the module/coil assembly by taking out the mounting bolts. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring proper connection of the coils to the module and fully seating all plug wires.

To check the Enhanced Distributor Ignition (EDI) System, start by detaching the primary electrical connector from the coil and ensure it receives battery voltage with the ignition key ON (engine not running). Use the ohmmeter's low scale to check resistance values for the coil. Connect the negative probe to the coil body and the positive probe to the primary terminal on the ignition coil; it should indicate infinite resistance. On the low scale, connect the ohmmeter leads to the primary terminals on the coil, and it should show a very low resistance value. On the high scale, connect one lead to the primary terminal and the other to the secondary terminal, referring to the specifications; it should not indicate infinite resistance. For removal, disconnect the battery cable, unplug the coil high tension wire and electrical leads, and remove the mounting nuts to take out the coil. The installation process is the reverse of removal.

Connect the ohmmeter leads to both terminals of the pick-up coil lead and flex the leads by hand again. The ohmmeter should read a steady value between 500 and 1,500 ohms as the leads are flexed.

To check the High Energy Ignition System (HEI), start by disconnecting the battery's negative terminal. Use an ohmmeter to test the coil for opens and grounds. First, on the high scale, connect the ohmmeter leads; it should show a very high or infinite resistance value. Then, on the low scale, check the coil's primary resistance, which should indicate a very low or zero resistance value. Also, check the coil's secondary resistance on the high scale; it should not show an infinite resistance. If any values are off, replace the coil. For removal, unplug the coil's high tension wire and electrical leads, and remove the mounting nuts to take out the coil. The installation process is the reverse of removal.

The ohmmeter should indicate a very low, or zero resistance value.

Remove the rotor and pick-up coil leads from the ignition module.

Disconnect the wiring connectors and secondary ignition wire, loosen the coil bracket mounting nuts, and remove the coil. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.