AC voltage is created. The amplifier unit uses
this voltage to switch the transistors in the
unit and complete the ignition system primary
(LT) circuit.
As the reluctor teeth move out of alignment
with the stator projections the AC voltage
changes and the transistors in the amplifier
unit are switched again to interrupt the
primary (LT) circuit. This causes a high voltage
to be induced in the coil secondary (HT)
windings which then travels down the HT lead
to the distributor and onto the relevant spark
plug.
A TDC sensor is fitted to the rear of the
flywheel but the sensor is not part of the
ignition system. It is there to be used for
diagnostic purposes only.
Integral ignition/
fuel injection system
On fuel-injected models except the L3.1
and LU2 systems, the ignition system is
integrated with the fuel injection system to
form a combined engine management system
under the control of one ECU (See the
relevant Part of Chapter 4 for further
information).
The Bosch Motronic ML4.1 and Fenix 1B
systems retain the distributor cap and rotor
arm assembly in order to distribute the spark
to the cylinders, together with a conventional
ignition coil.
All other models use a static (distribu-
torless) ignition system, consisting only of a
four output ignition coil. The ignition coil
actually consists of two separate HT coils
which supply two cylinders each (one coil
supplies cylinders 1 and 4, and the other
cylinders 2 and 3). Under the control of the
ECU, the ignition coil operates on the “wasted
spark” principle, ie. each spark plug sparks
twice for every cycle of the engine, once on
the compression stroke and once on the
exhaust stroke - the spark on the exhaust
stroke has no effect on the running of the
engine, and is therefore “wasted”. The ECU
uses its inputs from the various sensors to
calculate the required ignition advance setting
and coil charging time.
On some models a knock sensor is
incorporated into the ignition system. The
sensor is mounted onto the cylinder head and
prevents the engine “pinking” under load. The
sensor is sensitive to vibration and detects the
knocking which occurs when the engine starts
to “pink” (pre-ignite). The knock sensor sends
an electrical signal to the ECU which in turn
retards the ignition advance setting until the
“pinking” ceases.
Direct ignition system
The ignition system on 1998 cc XU10J4
(16-valve) models is of the “direct” type. The
system components consist of two amplifier
modules, four ignition HT coils, and a knock
sensor. The ignition system is integrated with
the fuel injection system, to form a combined
engine management system under the control
of one ECU via the ignition amplifier modules.
Each ignition amplifier module operates two
HT coils; the ignition HT coils are integral with
the plug caps, and are pushed directly onto
the spark plugs, one for each plug. This
removes the need for any HT leads
connecting the coils to the plugs. The ECU
uses the inputs from the various sensors to
calculate the required ignition advance setting
and coil charging time.
The knock sensor is mounted onto the
cylinder head, and prevents the engine
“pinking” under load. The sensor detects
abnormal vibration, and is thus able to detect
the knocking which occurs when the engine
starts to “pink” (pre-ignite). The knock sensor
sends an electrical signal to the ECU, which in
turn retards the ignition advance setting until
the “pinking” ceases.
2
Ignition system - testing
2
Breakerless
Electronic ignition system
Note: Refer to the precautions given in
Section 1 of Part A of this Chapter before
starting work. Always switch off the ignition
before disconnecting or connecting any
component and when using a multi-meter to
check resistances.
General
1 The components of electronic ignition
systems are normally very reliable; most faults
are far more likely to be due to loose or dirty
connections or to “tracking” of HT voltage
due to dirt, dampness or damaged insulation
than to the failure of any of the system’s
components. Always
check all wiring
thoroughly before condemning an electrical
component and work methodically to
eliminate all other possibilities before deciding
that a particular component is faulty.
2 The old practice of checking for a spark by
holding the live end of an HT lead a short
distance away from the engine is not
recommended; not only is there a high risk of
a powerful electric shock, but the HT coil or
amplifier unit will be damaged. Similarly,
never try to “diagnose” misfires by pulling off
one HT lead at a time.
Engine will not start
3 If the engine either will not turn over at all,
or only turns very slowly, check the battery
and starter motor. Connect a voltmeter across
the battery terminals (meter positive probe to
battery positive terminal), disconnect the
ignition coil HT lead from the distributor cap
and earth it, then note the voltage reading
obtained while turning over the engine on the
starter for (no more than) ten seconds. If the
reading obtained is less than approximately
9.5 volts, first check the battery, starter motor
and charging system as described in the
relevant Sections of this Chapter.
4 If the engine turns over at normal speed but
will not start, check the HT circuit by
connecting a timing light (following the
manufacturer’s instructions) and turning the
engine over on the starter motor; if the light
flashes, voltage is reaching the spark plugs,
so these should be checked first. If the light
does not flash, check the HT leads
themselves followed by the distributor cap,
carbon brush and rotor arm using the
information given in Chapter 1.
5 If there is a spark, check the fuel system for
faults referring to the relevant part of Chapter
4 for further information.
6 If there is still no spark, check the voltage at
the ignition HT coil “+” terminal; it should be
the same as the battery voltage (ie, at least
11.7 volts). If the voltage at the coil is more
than 1 volt less than that at the battery, check
the feed back through the fusebox and
ignition switch to the battery and its earth until
the fault is found.
7 If the feed to the HT coil is sound, check the
coil’s primary and secondary winding
resistance as described later in this Section;
renew the coil if faulty, but be careful to check
carefully the condition of the LT connections
themselves before doing so, to ensure that
the fault is not due to dirty or poorly-fastened
connectors.
8 If the HT coil is in good condition, the fault
is probably within the amplifier unit or
distributor stator assembly. Testing of these
components should be entrusted to a
Peugeot dealer.
Engine misfires
9 An irregular misfire suggests either a loose
connection or intermittent fault on the primary
circuit, or an HT fault on the coil side of the
rotor arm.
10 With the ignition switched off, check
carefully through the system ensuring that all
connections are clean and securely fastened.
If the equipment is available, check the LT
circuit as described above.
11 Check that the HT coil, the distributor cap
and the HT leads are clean and dry. Check the
leads themselves and the spark plugs (by
substitution, if necessary), then check the
distributor cap, carbon brush and rotor arm as
described in Chapter 1.
12 Regular misfiring is almost certainly due to
a fault in the distributor cap, HT leads or spark
5B•2 Ignition system
Warning: Voltages produced by
an electronic ignition system
are considerably higher than
those produced by conventional
ignition systems. Extreme care must be
taken when working on the system with
the ignition switched on. Persons with
surgically-implanted cardiac pacemaker
devices should keep well clear of the
ignition circuits, components and test
equipment.