Series 50G/60G Troubleshooting – Section 1.7 Ignition System

Section 1.7
Ignition System

The Ignition System's main components are the ignition coil harness, the igniter module, the ignition coils, the ignition boot assemblies, the spark plugs, and the ground strap, see Figure "Ignition System — Series 50G" . In addition, the Ignition System requires a different rocker cover with extension tubes for the spark plugs attached to the rocker cover cap, see Figure "Two-Piece Rocker Cover — Series 50G" . Also, the cylinder head is machined to accept the spark plug extension tubes.‪

1. Baro Sensor‪	6. Ignition Coil Harness‪
2. Oxygen Sensor Module‪	7. Spark Plug‪
3. Bolt‪	8. Ignition Coil and Boot Assembly‪
4. Boot‪	9. Ground Strap‪
5. Ignition Coil Assembly‪	10. Igniter Module‪

Figure 1. Ignition System — Series 50G

1. Gasket‪	8. Rocker Cover Cap‪
2. O-ring‪	9. Bolt‪
3. Extension Tube‪	10. Isolator‪
4. O-ring‪	11. Spacer‪
5. Screw‪	12. Rocker Cover Base‪
6. Cover‪	13. Seal Ring‪
7. Bolt‪

Figure 2. Two-Piece Rocker Cover — Series 50G

The following procedures are used to diagnose a natural gas Series 50G or Series 60G DDEC Engine which will not start.‪

Section 1.7.1
Ignition Coil Firing Check

Check to see if the Ignition Coils are firing as follows:‪

1. Remove the coil cover.
2. Place an electronic spark plug firing indicator (OTC® part No. 7466 or equivalent) about 6.4 mm (0.25 in.) from the top of each Ignition Coil.

   ‪

   OTC® is a registered trademark of Owatonna Tool Company.‪

3. Crank the engine over and note whether the tester blinks.
4. If the tester blinks at all Ignition Coils, then inspect the ignition boots for contamination and damage, refer to "1.7.2 Ignition Boot Inspection" .
5. If the tester does not blink on one or more Ignition Coils, check the igniter module power, refer to "1.7.4 Igniter Module Power Check" .

Section 1.7.2
Ignition Boot Inspection

Check the Ignition Boot and spring assemblies as follows:‪

1. Disconnect the ignition coil and boot assemblies.
2. Examine the inside of the ignition boots for contamination. If oil or dirt is present, discard any defective spark plugs and defective boot and spring assemblies. Gap new spark plugs to 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). Install new spark plugs and boot and spring assemblies. Tighten the spark plugs to 38 N·m (28 ft·lb). Perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
3. Examine the Ignition Boots for burning and gumminess.
   1. If the boot material is soft and cracked, replace the ignition boot and spring assembly and follow the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
   2. If signs of arcing or pin holes are present in the boot, replace the ignition boot and spring assembly and follow the Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
   3. If the boot has no signs of arcing, pin holes, or degraded material, check the Ignition Coil continuity, refer to "1.7.10 Ignition Coils Continuity Check" .

Section 1.7.3
Spark Plug Body Inspection

Check the condition of the Spark Plug Bodies as follows:‪

1. Examine the insulator of the spark plug upper body and the inside of the Ignition Boot for the following conditions:
   1. If any ignition boot is damaged or there is shorting up the side of the spark plug (see Figure "Spark Plug with Flashover" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There are trace marks of high voltage arcs up the side of the spark plug body caused by oil, dirt, or moisture collected in a damaged ignition boot.

      Figure 3. Spark Plug with Flashover

   2. If any spark plug has a cracked insulator at the upper body (see Figure "Spark Plug with Cracked Insulator" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There is a crack in the ceramic insulator at the bottom or upper body of the plug.

      Figure 4. Spark Plug with Cracked Insulator

2. Remove any defective spark plugs. Discard any defective spark plugs and mating boot and spring assemblies. Gap new spark plugs to 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). Install spark plugs and new boot and spring assemblies. Tighten the spark plugs to 38 N·m (28 ft·lb). Perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .

Section 1.7.4
Igniter Module Power Check

Check the power to the Igniter Module as follows:‪

1. Disconnect the five-pin connector from the Igniter Module, see Figure "Ignition System — Series 50G" .
   

   1. Baro Sensor‪	6. Ignition Coil Harness‪
   2. Oxygen Sensor Module‪	7. Spark Plug‪
   3. Bolt‪	8. Ignition Coil and Boot Assembly‪
   4. Boot‪	9. Ground Strap‪
   5. Ignition Coil Assembly‪	10. Igniter Module‪

   Figure 5. Ignition System — Series 50G

2. Connect a voltmeter across pin D (wire 440E) and pin E (wire 953, ground) on the five-pin connector of the ignition wire harness, see Figure "Igniter Module Five-pin Connector" .
   

   Figure 6. Igniter Module Five-pin Connector

3. Turn on the vehicle ignition.
4. If 12 volts is present, check the Ignition Coil connectors, refer to "1.7.5 Ignition Coil Connectors Check" .
5. If 12 volts is not present, check the power to the Ignition Coil Harness at the connector to the vehicle wire harness, refer to "1.7.6 Ignition Coil Harness Power Check" .

Section 1.7.5
Ignition Coil Connectors Check

Check the coil connectors of the Ignition Coil harness (see Figure "Ignition System — Series 50G" ) as follows:‪

1. Baro Sensor‪	6. Ignition Coil Harness‪
2. Oxygen Sensor Module‪	7. Spark Plug‪
3. Bolt‪	8. Ignition Coil and Boot Assembly‪
4. Boot‪	9. Ground Strap‪
5. Ignition Coil Assembly‪	10. Igniter Module‪

Figure 7. Ignition System — Series 50G

1. Remove the coil cover.
2. Remove each two-pin connector at the Ignition Coils.
3. Connect a voltmeter across pins 1 and 2 on the connector coming from the Ignition Coil harness.
4. If 12 volts is present at each coil, inspect the Spark Plug Well, refer to "1.7.8 Spark Plug Well Inspection" .
5. If 12 volts is not present, check the Ignition Coil Harness Power Connector, refer to "1.7.7 Ignition Coil Harness Continuity Check" .

Section 1.7.6
Ignition Coil Harness Power Check

Check power into the Ignition Coil Harness as follows:‪

1. Disconnect the two-pin connector that supplies power to the Ignition Coil harness.
2. Connect a voltmeter across the two pins on the connector coming from the vehicle harness.
3. Turn on the vehicle ignition and read the voltage.
   1. If 12 volts is present, check the Ignition Coil Harness Continuity, refer to "1.7.7 Ignition Coil Harness Continuity Check" .
   2. If 12 volts is not present, check the vehicle wiring. Refer to OEM Vehicle Manual.

Section 1.7.7
Ignition Coil Harness Continuity Check

Check the Ignition Coil Harness for continuity as follows:‪

1. Measure the continuity of the circuits in the Ignition Coil Harness, refer to "7 The Natural Gas Engine Characteristics" for the Ignition Coil Harness wiring diagram.
2. If any circuit shows no continuity, replace the Ignition Coil Harness. Then perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
3. If all circuits show continuity, inspect the Spark Plug Wells, refer to "1.7.8 Spark Plug Well Inspection" .

Section 1.7.8
Spark Plug Well Inspection

Check the Spark Plug Wells as follows:‪

1. Remove the coil cover.
2. Disconnect each coil.
3. Examine each ignition boot, spark plug, and spark plug well.
4. If oil is present on any ignition boot or in the spark plug well, replace the O-rings on the extension tube; replace the ignition boot; and clean and reinstall the ignition coils. Perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
5. If water is present in any spark plug well, clean out the well and discard the defective spark plug and replace the mating boot and spring assembly. Gap spark plug to 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). Install the spark plug. Tighten the spark plug to 38 N·m (28 ft·lb). Perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
6. If ignition coils, boots, and spark plug wells are free of oil or other contamination, check the Spark Plug Electrodes, refer to "1.7.9 Spark Plug Electrode Inspection" .

Section 1.7.9
Spark Plug Electrode Inspection

Check the Spark Plug Electrodes as follows:‪

1. Remove each spark plug.
2. Examine the spark plug electrode and insulator for the following conditions:
   1. If the spark plug shows normal operating conditions (see Figure "Normal Operating Spark Plug" ), reuse the spark plug. Clean the spark plug and spark plug well. Gap spark plug to 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). Install and tighten the spark plug to 38 N·m (28 ft·lb). If all spark plug electrodes are normal, check the Ignition Coils for continuity, refer to "1.7.10 Ignition Coils Continuity Check" .
      

      Note: Light brown, gray, or tan deposits are acceptable.

      Figure 8. Normal Operating Spark Plug

   2. If any spark plug is shorted by excessive oil deposits around center and ground electrodes (see Figure "Spark Plug with Oil-Fouled Electrodes" ), go to step .
      

      Note: Thick, wet, and black deposits around bottom of spark plug.

      Figure 9. Spark Plug with Oil-Fouled Electrodes

   3. If any spark plug is shorted by carbon deposits (see Figure "Carbon-Fouled Spark Plug" ), go to step .
      

      Note: Soft, sooty, dry, and black deposits around bottom of spark plug.

      Figure 10. Carbon-Fouled Spark Plug

   4. If any spark plug electrode shows excessive wear past useful life (see Figure "Worn Spark Plug" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There is a loss of material from both the ground and center electrodes.

      Figure 11. Worn Spark Plug

   5. If any spark plug electrodes are shorted across the gap (see Figure "Spark Plug with Gap Bridging" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There is melting of electrode material in the gap.

      Figure 12. Spark Plug with Gap Bridging

   6. If any spark plug has a cracked insulator (see Figure "Spark Plug with Cracked Insulator" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There is a crack in the ceramic insulator at the bottom or upper body of the plug.

      Figure 13. Spark Plug with Cracked Insulator

   7. If any spark plug was shorted by foreign deposits on the center electrode and ceramic insulator (see Figure "Spark Plug with Tracking Arcs" ), go to step .
      

      Note: There are traces of high voltage arcs on the ceramic insulator from the center electrode to the inside of the plug.

      Figure 14. Spark Plug with Tracking Arcs

3. Discard any defective spark plugs and mating boot and spring assemblies. Gap spark plugs to 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). Install new spark plugs and boot and spring assemblies. Tighten the spark plugs to 38 N·m (28 ft·lb). Perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .

Section 1.7.10
Ignition Coils Continuity Check

Check the Ignition Coils for primary circuit continuity as follows:‪

1. Remove the Ignition Coils.
2. Inspect the Ignition Coils for signs of overheating and cracking. If damaged, replace the Ignition Coil. Then perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
3. Measure the resistance across the two pins in the electrical connector.
4. If any resistance is greater than 0.55 Ω (ohms), replace that Ignition Coil. Then perform the Fuel System Learn Procedure, refer to "1.8 Fuel System Learn Procedure" .
5. If the resistance is always less than or equal to 0.55 Ω (ohms), replace the low pressure regulator using the Throttle replacement procedure, refer to "1.6.3 Replacing the Throttle" .
6. If the engine still does not start, replace the Igniter Module. See Figure "Ignition System — Series 50G" .
   

   1. Baro Sensor‪	6. Ignition Coil Harness‪
   2. Oxygen Sensor Module‪	7. Spark Plug‪
   3. Bolt‪	8. Ignition Coil and Boot Assembly‪
   4. Boot‪	9. Ground Strap‪
   5. Ignition Coil Assembly‪	10. Igniter Module‪

   Figure 15. Ignition System — Series 50G

7. If the engine starts, then troubleshooting is done.