Ignition System - Electronic Mitsubishi Galant V

DESCRIPTION

Mitsubishi breakerless ignition consists of an ignitor, ignition coil, pick-up coil and distributor. The control module is mounted inside the distributor with the pick-up coil assembly.

Mitsubishi models with turbo engine are equipped with Electronically Controlled Injection (ECI) system, which controls fuel injection and ignition timing retard.

OPERATION

Whenever ignition is on, ignition coil primary circuit is energized. As distributor shaft rotates, the reluctor rotates inside the stator assembly.

As armature teeth pass the pegs of the pick-up coil, a signal is sent to the ignitor. The ignitor then breaks the primary circuit in the coil. This causes a high voltage surge in the coil secondary circuit. This high voltage is required to fire the spark plugs.

Electronic Ignition System With Internal Control Module. Scheme 1

Note. For wiring schematic of Mitsubishi models with Turbo engines and ECI, see the appropriate article in COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS section.

RELUCTOR-TO-PICK-UP COIL AIR GAP

Align reluctor teeth with pegs of pick-up coil and breaker plate assembly. Using a feeler gauge, check for correct air gap. To adjust, loosen set screws and move pick-up coil.

PICK-UP COIL AIR GAP

TESTING

Note. Ensure battery is fully charged and in good condition before making any tests. Check all wiring, ignition switch, coil, spark plug cables and connectors.

HIGH VOLTAGE TEST

Connect a remote starter switch in starting circuit. Remove coil wire from distributor cap. Turn ignition on and hold coil wire 1/4" from cylinder block. Crank engine. If no spark or only a weak spark results, perform following tests.

SECONDARY WIRE RESISTANCE TEST

1. Test coil and spark plug cables with an ohmmeter. Do not puncture secondary wires when making resistance check. Connect leads to each end of cable.
2. Resistance for Mitsubishi should not exceed 16,000 ohms for each 39" (1 m.).

IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE TEST

1. Turn ignition off. Remove wires from coil primary terminals to isolate it from the rest of the system. Set an ohmmeter to the low scale, and attach the leads to the coil positive and negative terminals. Check primary resistance reading.
2. Set ohmmeter to x1000 scale. Attach leads to coil positive terminal and secondary tower. Check secondary resistance reading.

IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS (OHMS)

MAGNETIC PICK-UP COIL RESISTANCE TEST

Turn ignition off. Set ohmmeter to x100 scale. Attach leads to pick-up coil's distributor connector terminals. (Scheme 2) Compare resistance readings obtained with table. See PICK-UP COIL RESISTANCE table.

Checking Pick-Up Coil Resistance Attach ohmmeter leads to points shown. Scheme 2

PICK-UP COIL RESISTANCE

All Except Turbo

Connect ignitor, light and battery. (Scheme 3) Using a dry cell battery or continuity tester, apply voltage to signal input terminal of ignitor unit. Test light should light when voltage is applied, and go out when voltage is removed. If not, ignitor is bad.

Note. This test can only determine when ignitor is bad. Even if ignitor tests good, it could still be defective.

Checking Ignitor With Battery & Test Light Use low-voltage dry cell battery or ohmmeter. Scheme 3

Turbo Models

1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Connect a timing light and set to specification. Check centrifugal spark advance and repair if necessary. Set engine to 1000 RPM.
2. Using a hammer, lightly tap injector mixer mounting stud. Check to see if spark retards. If not, go to next step. If so, measure voltage between ignitor terminal number 6 and ground. If there is one volt or less, repair or replace pressure sensor and/or shorted wiring harness. If more than one volt is present, replace defective ESC ignitor.
3. Disconnect pressure sensor connector. Check to see if spark timing retards. If not, go to next step. If spark retards, check detonation shielding wire for continuity. If okay, detonation sensor or ESC ignitor is defective. If not, repair or replace shielding harness.
4. Using a hammer, lightly tap injector mixer mounting stud. Check to see if spark timing retards. If not, replace ESC ignitor or detonation sensor. If spark retards, disconnect detonation sensor connector.
5. Check for spark timing retarding 8 degrees. If not, ESC ignitor is defective. If so, ESC ignitor is okay. Reconnect wiring.

All Models With 1.5L, 2.0L & 2.4L Engines

1. Remove distributor cap, rotor and seal. Remove governor assembly. Remove vacuum control unit. Remove IC ignitor. Remove lead wire. Remove signal rotor shaft screw and 2 breaker plate retaining screws. Remove breaker plate assembly. NOTE: DO NOT clean grease off back of IC ignitor. It is necessary for heat transfer.
2. Remove signal rotor shaft from signal rotor. Remove 2 spring retainers and springs with pliers. Remove governor weights. Mark drive gear location on distributor shaft.
3. Place drive gear on a wooden block and remove drive gear roll pin using a pin punch. Remove drive gear and washer. Remove distributor shaft from housing.

All Models With 1.6L & 2.6L Engines

1. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Mark location of governor springs, weights and pins for reassembly reference. Remove governor springs. Remove snap rings and governor weights. Remove governor plate retaining bolt and governor plate. NOTE: Governor plate locking bolt is very tight and is retained with Loctite. Use a box wrench or socket wrench for disassembly.
2. Remove governor base and signal rotor assembly. Remove 2 ignitor assembly retaining screws. Remove pick-up coil from frame. Remove vacuum controller. Remove 2 breaker assembly retaining screws and remove breaker assembly from housing. When breaker assembly is removed, ensure it is placed in a clean work area.
3. Remove 2 screws and bearing retainer from housing. Mark location of drive gear on distributor shaft. Place drive gear on a wooden block and remove roll pin using a pin punch. Remove drive gear from shaft. Remove distributor shaft from housing.

Installing Driven Gear on Distributor Shaft Install new roll pin. Courtesy of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America. Scheme 4

All Models With 1.8L Engine

1. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Remove 2 vacuum controller mounting screws. Remove snap ring and disconnect vacuum controller link from breaker plate pin. Remove vacuum controller. Remove signal rotor shaft tightening screw.
2. Remove 2 breaker plate mounting screws. Remove signal rotor shaft and breaker plate assembly. Using a soft hammer, gently tap signal rotor to remove. Remove 2 pick-up coil mounting screws and pick-up coil.
3. Remove governor spring retainers and springs using pliers. Remove governor weights. Mark distributor shaft and drive gear for reassembly reference. Place drive gear on a wooden block and remove drive pin using a pin punch. Remove drive gear and washer. Remove distributor shaft from housing.

REASSEMBLY

Reverse removal procedure. Inspect cap and rotor for cracks and deposits on inside surfaces. Ensure breaker assembly is clean and no metallic dust or filings are present. Use new distributor drive gear roll pin.

Exploded View of Distributor Used W/1.5L, 2.0L & 2.4L Engines. Scheme 5

Exploded View of Distributor Used W/1.6L & 2.6L Engines Note location of governor springs. Scheme 6

Exploded View of Distributor Used W/1.8L Engine Note location of governor springs. Scheme 7

See also:
• PICK-UP COIL RESISTANCE