Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Leaking valves Replace valves, See
ENGINES
Worn fuel pump diaphragm Replace diaphragm or
or piston piston
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Intake Backfire Improper ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Faulty accelerator pump Replace accelerator
discharge pump
Improper choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Defective EGR valve Replace EGR valve
Fuel mixture too lean Reset air/fuel mixture,
See TUNE-UP
Choke valve initial Reset choke valve
clearance too large initial clearance
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Exhaust Backfire Vacuum leak Inspect and repair
vacuum system
Faulty vacuum diverter Replace vacuum diverter
valve valve
Faulty choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Exhaust system leak repair exhaust system
leak
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Engine Ignition timing too far Reset ignition timing,
Detonation advanced See TUNE-UP
Faulty ignition system Check ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Spark plugs loose or Retighten or replace
faulty plugs
Fuel delivery system Inspect lines, pump and
clogged filter for clog
EGR valve inoperative Replace EGR valve
PCV system inoperative Inspect and/or replace
hoses or valve
Vacuum leaks Check vacuum system and
repair leaks
Excessive combustion
chamber deposits Remove built-up
deposits
Leaking, sticking or Inspect and/or replace
broken valves valves
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External Oil Fuel pump improperly seated Remove pump, replace
Leakage or worn gasket gasket and seat
properly
Oil pan gasket broken or Straighten pan and
pan bent replace gasket
Timing chain cover gasket Replace timing chain
broken cover gasket
Rear main oil seal worn Replace rear main oil
seal
Oil pan drain plug not Remove and reinstall
seated properly drain plug
Camshaft bearing drain Remove restriction
hole blocked
Oil pressure sending Remove and reinstall
switch leaking sending switch
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Missing valve lock Install new valve lock
Excessively worn camshaft Replace camshaft, See
lobes ENGINES
Plugged valve lifter oil Eliminate restriction
holes or replace lifter
Faulty valve lifter check Replace lifter check
ball ball, See ENGINES
Rocker arm nut installed Remove and reinstall
upside down correctly
Valve lifter incorrect for Remove and replace
engine valve lifters
Faulty push rod seat or Replace plunger or push
lifter plunger rod
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Noisy Valves Improper valve lash Re-adjust valve lash,
See ENGINES
Worn or dirty valve lifters Clean and/or replace
lifters
Worn valve guides Replace valve guides,
See ENGINES
Excessive valve seat or Reface seats or valve
face run-out face
Worn camshaft lobes Replace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Loose rocker arm studs Re-tighten rocker arm
studs, See ENGINES
Bent push rods Replace push rods, See
ENGINES
Broken valve springs Replace valve springs,
See ENGINES
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Burned,Sticking Weak valve springs or Replace valves and/or
or Broken Valves warped valves springs, See ENGINES
Improper lifter clearance Re-adjust clearance or
replace lifters
Worn guides or improper Replace valve guides,
guide clearance See ENGINES
Out-of-round valve seats Re-grind valve seats
or improper seat width
Gum deposits on valve Remove deposits
stems, seats or guides
Improper spark timing Re-adjust spark timing
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Broken Undersize pistons Replace with larger
Pistons/Rings pistons, See ENGINES
Wrong piston rings Replace with correct
rings, See ENGINES
Out-of-round cylinder bore Re-bore cylinder bore
Improper connecting rod Remove and realign
alignment connecting rods
Excessively worn ring Replace pistons, See
grooves ENGINES
Improperly assembled Re-assemble pin-to
piston pins -piston, See ENGINES
Insufficient ring gap Install new rings, See
clearance ENGINES
Engine overheating Check cooling system
Incorrect ignition timing Re-adjust ignition
timing, See TUNE-UP
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Excessive Leaks at manifold to Replace manifold or
Exhaust Noise head, or to pipe pipe gasket
Exhaust manifold Replace exhaust
Low fuel pressure Test pressure regul-
ator and fuel pump,
check for restricted
lines and filters
No distributor reference Repair ignition
pulses system as necessary
Open coolant temperature Test sensor and
sensor circuit wiring
Shorted W.O.T. switch in Disconnect W.O.T.
T.P.S. switch, engine
should start
Defective ECM Replace ECM
Fuel tank residual pressure Test for fuel
valve leaks pressure drop after
shut down
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Hard Starting Disconnected hot air tube Reconnect tube and
to air cleaner test control valve
Defective Idle Air Control Test valve operation
(IAC) valve and circuit
Shorted, open or misadjusted Test and adjust or
T.P.S. replace T.P.S.
EGR valve open Test EGR valve and
control circuit
Poor Oxygen sensor signal Test for shorted or
circuit
Incorrect mixture from PCV Test PCV for flow,
system check sealing of oil
filter cap
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Poor High Speed Low fuel pump volume Faulty pump or
Operation restricted fuel
lines or filters
Poor MAP sensor signal Test MAP sensor,
vacuum hose and
wiring
Poor Oxygen sensor signal Test for shorted or
open sensor or
circuit
Open coolant temperature Test sensor and
sensor circuit wiring
Faulty ignition operation Check wires for
cracks or poor con-
nections, test
secondary voltage
with oscilloscope
Contaminated fuel Test fuel for water
or alcohol
Intermittent ECM ground Test ECM ground
connection for
resistance
Restricted air cleaner Replace air cleaner
Restricted exhaust system Test for exhaust
manifold back
pressure
Poor MAF sensor signal Check leakage
between sensor and
manifold
Poor VSS signal If tester for ALCL
hook-up is available
check that VSS
reading matches
speedometer
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Ping or Knock on Poor Knock sensor signal Test for shorted or
Acceleration open sensor or
circuit
Poor Baro sensor signal Test for shorted or
open sensor or
circuit
Improper ignition timing See VEHICLE EMISSION
CONTROL LABEL (where
applicable)
Check for engine Low coolant, loose
overheating problems belts or electric
cooling fan
inoperative
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NOTE: For additional electronic fuel injection trouble shooting
information, see the appropriate article in the ENGINE
PERFORMANCE section (not all vehicles have Computer Engine
Control articles). Information is provided there for
diagnosing fuel system problems on vehicles with electronic
fuel injection.
IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
Ignition Secondary Trouble Shooting Chart
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START: Visually inspect Spark Plug Wires, Coil Wires,
Plug Wire Boots, Rotor, and Distributor Cap for
signs of damage.