LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Ford >> 1998 >> Contour Base, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> System >> Engine Controls - Tests W/Codes - 2.0L >> Circuit Tests >> Circuit Test JB - Secondary Ignition
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Circuit Test JB - Secondary Ignition

NOTE: After each service or repair procedure has been completed, reconnect all components. Clear DTCs and repeat QUICK TEST  procedures to ensure all EEC-V systems are working properly and DTCs are no longer present.

  1. 1) Preliminarily Test

    Ensure battery is fully charged and all accessories are off. Check all wiring harnesses and connectors for damage, and burned or overheated insulation. Repair as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If no problems are found, go to next step.

  2. 2) Connect Engine Analyzer

    DTC P0350 indicates an ignition coil primary circuit malfunction. Install Rotunda Engine Analyzer (010-00869) engine analyzer. If vehicle has a no-start condition, go to next step. If vehicle starts, go to step 4).

  3. 3) Check For Normal Ignition Pattern

    Crank engine and observe scope pattern. If scope pattern is normal, go to CIRCUIT TEST A , step 7). If scope pattern is not normal, repair IGN START run circuit (no-start condition) or go to next step (if vehicle starts).

  4. 4) Check For Normal Ignition Operation

    Start engine. Select Multi-Strike operating mode on engine analyzer. Multi-Strike operating mode is dependent on PCM calibration and is limited to less than 2000 RPM. Observe scope pattern and check average spark output voltage and variation of pattern. If average spark output firing voltage is 20,000 or less with output variation 8000 volts or less, no problem is indicated at this time. Testing is complete. If DTCs P0300-P0310 are present, check fuel pressure. See CIRCUIT TEST HD , step 5). If directed here from TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-V article, return to symptom test that directed you here. On all others, go to CIRCUIT TEST Z . If spark output voltage is not as specified, go to next step.

  5. 5) Check Spark Voltage

    Check spark output voltage for all cylinders. If average spark output voltage is more than 20,000 volts with spark output variation less than 8000 volts, check spark plugs for wear and spark plug wires for 7000 ohms per foot maximum resistance. Repair as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage is not as specified, go to next step.

  6. 6) Check For Voltage Variation Between Cylinders

    If spark output voltage variation is more than 8000 volts, check spark plugs for wide gap or worn electrode. Repair as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage variation is less than 8000 volts, go to next step.

  7. 7) Check For High Spark Voltage

    If spark output voltage is consistently high in one or more cylinders, check for defective spark plug or wire. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage is not consistently high in one or more cylinders, go to next step.

  8. 8) Check For Low Spark Voltage

    If spark output voltage is consistently low in one or more cylinders, go to next step. If spark output voltage is not consistently low in one or more cylinders, proceed as follows:
    • If DTCs P0300-P0310 are present, go to CIRCUIT TEST HD , step 5).
    • If directed here from TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-V article, return to symptom test that directed you here.

  9. 9) Check For Missing Spark Patterns

    If spark is not missing from 2-cylinders on same coil, go to CIRCUIT TEST JE . If spark is missing from 2-cylinders on same coil, check spark plugs for wear and spark plug wires for 7000 ohms per foot maximum resistance. Repair as necessary and retest. If plug wires and plugs are okay, go to CIRCUIT TEST JE.
    NOTE: A break in step numbering sequence occurs at this point. Procedure skips from step 9) to step 12). No test procedures have been omitted.

  10. 12) Check For High Spark Voltage

    Observe scope pattern and check average spark output voltage and variation of pattern. If average spark output firing voltage is more than 20,000 with output variation 8000 volts or less, check spark plugs for wear. Check ignition coil for proper installation. Repair as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage is not as specified, go to next step.

  11. 13) Check For Voltage Variation Between Cylinders

    If spark output voltage variation is more than 8000 volts, check spark plugs for wide gap or worn electrode. Repair as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage variation is less than 8000 volts, go to next step.

  12. 14) Check For High Spark Voltage

    If spark output voltage is consistently high in one or more cylinders, ignition coils are not firmly connected. Check ignition coil installation. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark output voltage is not consistently high in one or more cylinders, go to next step.

  13. 15) Check For Low Spark Voltage

    If spark output voltage is consistently low in one or more cylinders, go to next step. If spark output voltage is not consistently low in one or more cylinders, proceed as follows:
    • If DTCs P0300-P0310 are present, go to CIRCUIT TEST HD , step 5).
    • On all others, identify symptom and go to TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-V article.

  14. 16) Check For Missing Spark Pattern

    If spark is not missing from any cylinder, go to next step. If spark is missing from any cylinder, check spark plug for wear. Replace as necessary and retest. If spark plug is okay, go to CIRCUIT TEST JF .

  15. 17) Check Inductive Voltage

    Check inductive voltage on each ignition wire and coil individually. If inductive voltage is not present on any ignition wire or coil, go to CIRCUIT TEST JF , step 1). If inductive voltage is present on any ignition wire or coil, check spark plugs and ignition wire resistance. Replace ignition wire if resistance is greater than 7000 ohms per foot (30.5 cm).
    NOTE: A break in step numbering sequence occurs at this point. Procedure skips from step 17) to step 20). No test procedures have been omitted.

  16. 20) Check For Spark At Spark Plug

    Disconnect Inertia Fuel Shutoff (IFS) switch. Disconnect ignition coil or plug wire from spark plug. Install Spark Tester (303-D037) to spark plug. Crank engine. If spark is present, go to next step. If spark is not present, go to CIRCUIT TEST JF .

  17. 21) Check For Spark At ALL Spark Plugs

    Using spark tester check for spark at all plugs while cranking engine. If spark is present at all plugs, go to next step. If spark is not present at all plugs, go to CIRCUIT TEST JF .

  18. 22) Check Spark Quality

    With spark tester installed, crank engine and observe color of spark for each cylinder. If spark strong (Bluish/White), go to next step. If spark is not strong, replace ignition coil. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS.

  19. 23) Check Spark Plugs

    Remove and inspect spark plugs for damage and wear. If spark output voltage is not as specified, go to next step. Replace plugs as necessary. Perform MISFIRE MONITOR REPAIR VERIFICATION DRIVE CYCLE. See DRIVE CYCLES  under ADDITIONAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. If spark plugs are okay, proceed as follows:
    • If sent here from CIRCUIT TEST HD, step 4), go to CIRCUIT TEST HD , step 5).
    • If directed here from TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-V article, return to symptom test that directed you here.
    • On all other models, go to CIRCUIT TEST Z .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals