2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Short to ground

OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as
required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to
Step 3. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit to the ignition switch as
required.
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the lower center bezel from the instru-
ment panel and disconnect the instrument panel wire
harness connectors from both heated seat switch con-
nector receptacles. Check for continuity between the
ground circuit cavity of the instrument panel wire
harness connector for the inoperative heated seat
switch(es) and a good ground. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open
ground circuit to ground as required.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery
voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run) cir-
cuit cavity of the instrument panel wire harness con-
nector for the inoperative heated seat switch(es). If
OK, turn the ignition switch to the Off position, dis-
connect and isolate the battery negative cable, and go
to Step 5. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit to the junction block fuse
as required.
(5) Test the heated seat switch(es) (Fig. 3) as
shown in the Heated Seat Switch Test chart. If OK,
go to Step 6. If not OK, replace the faulty heated seat
switch(es).
HEATED SEAT SWITCH TEST
SWITCH
POSITIONRESISTANCE
BETWEENRESISTANCE
(OHMS)
Off Pin1&6 55
Low Pin1&61430
High Pin1&6 365
All resistance values are  5%.
(6) Disconnect the 22-way instrument panel wire
harness connector from the Body Control Module
(BCM) connector receptacle. Check for continuity
between the seat heater switch sensor ground circuit
cavity of the instrument panel wire harness connec-
tor for the inoperative heated seat switch(es) and a
good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go
to Step 7. If not OK, repair the shorted seat heater
switch sensor ground circuit as required.
(7) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch sensor ground circuit cavities of the instru-
ment panel wire harness connector for the in opera-
tive heated seat switch(es) and the 22-way
instrument panel wire harness connector for theBCM. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 8.
If not OK, repair the open seat heater switch sensor
ground circuit as required.
(8) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch mux circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the inoperative heated
seat switch and a good ground. There should be no
continuity. If OK, go to Step 9. If not OK, repair the
shorted seat heater switch mux circuit as required.
(9) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch mux circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the inoperative heated
seat switch and the 22-way instrument panel wire
harness connector for the BCM. There should be con-
tinuity. If OK, use a DRBtscan tool and the proper
Diagnostic Procedures manual to test the BCM. If
not OK, repair the open seat heater switch mux cir-
cuit as required.
REMOVAL
WARNING: REFER TO THE RESTRAINTS SECTION
OF THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY
STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
Fig. 3 Rear of Heated Seat Switch
1 - LEFT SHOWN (RIGHT TYPICAL)
2 - ILLUMINATION LAMP
3 - CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
4 - HEATED SEAT SWITCH
8G - 12 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMWJ
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATED SEAT
ELEMENT
RESISTOR WIRE ELEMENT
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. The power seat wire harness connectors for the
seat cushion and seat back heating elements are
secured to a bracket located under the rear edge of
the seat cushion frame. Refer toWiringfor complete
circuit schematics and connector locations.
(2) Disconnect the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or
Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) C2 connector.
Check for continuity between the SEAT HEATER
B(+) DRIVER circuit cavity of the C2 connector and
the seat cushion frame. There should be NO continu-
ity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the shorted
seat heater B(+) driver circuit as required.
NOTE: WHEN CHECKING HEATED SEAT ELE-
MENTS FOR CONTINUITY, BE CERTAIN TO MOVE
THE HEATING ELEMENT BEING CHECKED. MOV-
ING THE ELEMENT, SUCH AS SITTING IN THE SEAT
WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INTER-
MITTENT OPEN IN THE ELEMENT WHICH WOULD
ONLY BE EVIDENT IF THE ELEMENT WAS MOVED
IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. FAILURE TO CHECK
THE ELEMENT IN VARIOUS POSITIONS COULD
RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE TEST.
(3) Check for continuity between the SEAT
HEATER B(+) DRIVER circuit cavity of the C2 con-
nector and the ground circuit cavity. There should be
continuity at all times (even upon moving or sitting
in the seat). If OK, proceed with testing the other
components in the heated seat system. If not OK,
replace the open heating element. Refer to the proce-
dure in this section of the manual.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Remove the appropriate seat cushion or seat
back trim cover. Refer to the Body section of the ser-
vice manual for the procedures.
(3) Disconnect the inoperative heated seat cushion
or seat back element electrical connectors.
(4) Gently peel-off defective heater element from
foam cushion.
INSTALLATION
(1) Peel off the adhesive backing on the back of the
replacement heating element and install on cushion
pad in the same location as the original (Fig. 6).
CAUTION: During the installation of the replace-
ment heating element, be very careful not to fold or
crease the element assembly. Folds or creases will
cause premature failure.
(2) Connect the new heating element electrical
connectors (Fig. 6).
(3) Connect the negative battery cable.
(4) Verify heated seat system operation.
(5) Install the appropriate seat cushion or seat
back trim cover. Make certain the seat wire harness
is correctly routed through the seat and seat back.
The excess wire between the cushion and back ele-
ments should be securely tucked between the rear of
the cushion foam and the rear carpet flap of the trim
cover.
Fig. 6 HEATING ELEMENT INSTALLED
1 - SEAT BACK WIRE HARNESS
2 - HEATED SEAT WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
3 - HEATED SEAT CUSHION ELEMENT
8G - 14 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMWJ
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT (Continued)

OPERATION
There are three positions that can be selected with
each of the heated seat switches: Off, Low, or High.
When the top of the switch rocker is fully depressed,
the High position is selected and the high position
LED indicator illuminates. When the bottom of the
switch rocker is fully depressed, the Low position is
selected and the low position LED indicator illumi-
nates. When the switch rocker is moved to its neutral
position, Off is selected and both LED indicators are
extinguished.
Both switches provide separate resistor multi-
plexed hard wire inputs to the BCM to indicate the
selected switch position. The BCM monitors the
switch inputs and sends heated seat switch status
messages to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or the
Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) over the Pro-
grammable Communications Interface (PCI) data
bus. The HSM or MHSM responds to the heated seat
switch status messages by controlling the output to
the seat heater elements of the selected seat. The
Low heat position set point is about 36É C (97É F),
and the High heat position set point is about 41É C
(105É F).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PASSENGER
HEATED SEAT SWITCH
For complete circuit diagrams, refer toWiring
Diagrams.
WARNING: REFER TO THE RESTRAINTS SECTION
OF THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY
STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Check the fused ignition switch output (run)
fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 2. If not
OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as
required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to
Step 3. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit to the ignition switch as
required.
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the lower center bezel from the instru-
ment panel and disconnect the instrument panel wire
harness connectors from both heated seat switch con-
nector receptacles. Check for continuity between the
ground circuit cavity of the instrument panel wire
harness connector for the inoperative heated seatswitch(es) and a good ground. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open
ground circuit to ground as required.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery
voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run) cir-
cuit cavity of the instrument panel wire harness con-
nector for the inoperative heated seat switch(es). If
OK, turn the ignition switch to the Off position, dis-
connect and isolate the battery negative cable, and go
to Step 5. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit to the junction block fuse
as required.
(5) Test the heated seat switch(es) (Fig. 8) as
shown in the Heated Seat Switch Test chart. If OK,
go to Step 6. If not OK, replace the faulty heated seat
switch(es).
HEATED SEAT SWITCH TEST
SWITCH
POSITIONRESISTANCE
BETWEENRESISTANCE
(OHMS)
Off Pin1&6 55
Low Pin1&61430
High Pin1&6 365
All resistance values are  5%.
Fig. 8 Rear of Heated Seat Switch
1 - LEFT SHOWN (RIGHT TYPICAL)
2 - ILLUMINATION LAMP
3 - CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
4 - HEATED SEAT SWITCH
8G - 16 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMWJ
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SWITCH (Continued)

(6) Disconnect the 22-way instrument panel wire
harness connector from the Body Control Module
(BCM) connector receptacle. Check for continuity
between the seat heater switch sensor ground circuit
cavity of the instrument panel wire harness connec-
tor for the inoperative heated seat switch(es) and a
good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go
to Step 7. If not OK, repair the shorted seat heater
switch sensor ground circuit as required.
(7) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch sensor ground circuit cavities of the instru-
ment panel wire harness connector for the in opera-
tive heated seat switch(es) and the 22-way
instrument panel wire harness connector for the
BCM. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 8.
If not OK, repair the open seat heater switch sensor
ground circuit as required.
(8) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch mux circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the inoperative heated
seat switch and a good ground. There should be no
continuity. If OK, go to Step 9. If not OK, repair the
shorted seat heater switch mux circuit as required.
(9) Check for continuity between the seat heater
switch mux circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the inoperative heated
seat switch and the 22-way instrument panel wire
harness connector for the BCM. There should be con-
tinuity. If OK, use a DRBtscan tool and the proper
Diagnostic Procedures manual to test the BCM. If
not OK, repair the open seat heater switch mux cir-
cuit as required.
REMOVAL
WARNING: REFER TO THE RESTRAINTS SECTION
OF THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY
STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the center lower bezel from the instru-
ment panel. Refer toInstrument Panel CenterLower Bezelin the Body section of this manual for
the procedure.
(3) Remove the four screws that secure the heated
seat switch to the back of the instrument panel cen-
ter lower bezel (Fig. 9).
(4) Remove the heated seat switch from the back
of the instrument panel center lower bezel.INSTALLATION
(1) Position the heated seat switch onto the back
of the instrument panel center lower bezel.
(2) Install and tighten the four screws that secure
the heated seat switch to the back of the instrument
panel center lower bezel. Tighten the screws to 1.5
N´m (13 in. lbs.).
(3) Install the center lower bezel onto the instru-
ment panel. Refer toInstrument Panel Center
Lower Bezelin the Body section of this manual for
the procedure.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 9 Heated Seat Switch Remove/Install
1 - HEATED SEAT SWITCHES
2 - SCREWS (4)
3 - CENTER LOWER BEZEL
4 - CIGAR LIGHTER
5 - ILLUMINATION LAMPS
6 - POWER OUTLET
WJHEATED SEAT SYSTEM 8G - 17
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SWITCH (Continued)

connector pin-out information and location views for
the various wire harness connectors, splices and
grounds. Following are general descriptions of the
remaining major components in the horn system.
OPERATION
The horn system is activated by a horn switch con-
cealed beneath the driver side airbag module trim
cover in the center of the steering wheel. Depressing
the center of the driver side airbag module trim cover
closes the horn switch. Closing the horn switch acti-
vates the horn relay. The activated horn relay then
switches the battery current needed to energize the
horns.
The BCM can also activate the horn system by
energizing the horn relay through a single hard
wired output circuit. The BCM energizes and de-en-
ergizes the horn relay in response to internal pro-
gramming as well as message inputs received over
the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI)
data bus network. The BCM can energize the horn
relay for a single chirp (RKE lock request), or for
extended operation (RKE panic mode and VTSS
alarm mode).
Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove
box for more information on the features, use and
operation of the horn system.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HORN SYSTEM
In most cases, any problem involving continually
sounding horns can be quickly alleviated by removing
the horn relay from the Power Distribution Center
(PDC). Refer to Horn Relay for the proper removal
procedure. Refer to the appropriate wiring informa-
tion. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
further details on wire harness routing and reten-
tion, as well as pin-out and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
HORN SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
BOTH HORNS
INOPERATIVE1. Faulty fuse. 1. Check the fuses in the Power Distribution
Center (PDC) and the Junction Block (JB).
Replace the fuse and repair the shorted circuit or
component, if required.
2. Faulty horn relay. 2. Refer to Horn Relay for the proper horn relay
diagnosis and testing procedures. Replace the
horn relay or repair the open horn relay circuit, if
required.
3. Faulty horn switch. 3. Refer to Horn Switch for the proper horn switch
diagnosis and testing procedures. Replace the
horn switch or repair the open horn switch circuit,
if required.
4. Faulty horns. 4. Refer to Horn for the proper horn diagnosis
and testing procedures. Replace the horns or
repair the open horn circuit, if required.
ONE HORN INOPERATIVE 1. Faulty horn. 1. Refer to Horn for the proper horn diagnosis
and testing procedures. Replace the horn or
repair the open horn circuit, if required.
8H - 2 HORNWJ
HORN SYSTEM (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
HORN SOUNDS
CONTINUOUSLY1. Faulty horn relay. 1. Refer to Horn Relay for the proper horn relay
diagnosis and testing procedures. Replace the
horn relay or repair the shorted horn relay control
circuit, if required.
2. Faulty horn switch. 2. Refer to Horn Switch for the proper horn switch
diagnosis and testing procedures. Replace the
horn switch or repair the shorted horn switch
circuit, if required.
HORN
DESCRIPTION
The dual electromagnetic diaphragm-type horns
are standard equipment on this model. Both horns
are secured to a mounting bracket. The mounting
bracket is secured with a screw to the back side of
the right extension of the radiator closure assembly,
just ahead of the right front wheel house and below
the front wheel house extension. The two horns are
connected in parallel. Each horn is grounded through
its wire harness connector and circuit to an eyelet
secured to the right inner fender shield near the bat-
tery, and receives battery feed through the closed
contacts of the horn relay.
The horns cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if
faulty or damaged, they must be individually
replaced.
OPERATION
Within the two halves of the molded plastic horn
housing are a flexible diaphragm, a plunger, an elec-
tromagnetic coil and a set of contact points. The dia-
phragm is secured in suspension around its
perimeter by the mating surfaces of the horn hous-
ing. The plunger is secured to the center of the dia-
phragm and extends into the center of the
electromagnet. The contact points control the current
flow through the electromagnet.
When the horn is energized, electrical current
flows through the closed contact points to the electro-
magnet. The resulting electromagnetic field draws
the plunger and diaphragm toward it until that
movement mechanically opens the contact points.
When the contact points open, the electromagnetic
field collapses allowing the plunger and diaphragm to
return to their relaxed positions and closing the con-
tact points again. This cycle continues repeating at a
very rapid rate producing the vibration and move-
ment of air that creates the sound that is directed
through the horn outlet.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HORN
Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The
wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper
wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire
harness routing and retention, connector pin-out
information and location views for the various wire
harness connectors, splices and grounds.
(1) Disconnect the wire harness connector(s) from
the horn connector receptacle(s). Measure the resis-
tance between the ground circuit cavity of the horn(s)
wire harness connector(s) and a good ground. There
should be no measurable resistance. If OK, go to Step
2. If not OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground
as required.
(2) Check for battery voltage at the horn relay out-
put circuit cavity of the horn(s) wire harness connec-
tor(s). There should be zero volts. If OK, go to Step 3.
If not OK, repair the shorted horn relay output cir-
cuit or replace the faulty horn relay as required.
(3) Depress the horn switch. There should now be
battery voltage at the horn relay output circuit cavity
of the horn(s) wire harness connector(s). If OK,
replace the faulty horns. If not OK, repair the open
horn relay output circuit to the horn relay as
required.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove the lower front half of the inner liner
from the right front fender wheel house. (Refer to 23
- BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT FENDER - REMOVAL).
(4) Reach through the front of the right front
fender wheel house opening to access and disconnect
the two right headlamp and dash wire harness con-
nectors from the horn connector receptacles (Fig. 1).
Be certain to disengage the connector lock tabs
before disconnecting them from the horn connector
receptacles.
(5) Remove the screw that secures the horn
mounting bracket to the right extension of the radi-
ator closure assembly.
WJHORN 8H - 3
HORN SYSTEM (Continued)

HORN SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
A center-blow, normally open, resistive membrane-
type horn switch is secured in a plastic tray that is
inserted in a pocket sewn on the front of the driver
side airbag retainer strap. The horn switch is con-
cealed behind the driver side airbag module trim
cover in the center of the steering wheel. The switch
consists of two plastic membranes, one that is flat
and one that is slightly convex. These two mem-
branes are secured to each other around the perime-
ter. Inside the switch, the centers of the facing
surfaces of these membranes each has a grid made
with an electrically conductive material applied to it.
One of the grids is connected to a circuit that pro-
vides it with continuity to ground at all times. The
grid of the other membrane is connected to the horn
relay control circuit.
The steering wheel and steering column must be
properly grounded in order for the horn switch to
function properly. The horn switch and plastic tray
are serviced as a unit. If the horn switch is damaged
or faulty, or if the driver side airbag is deployed, the
horn switch and tray must be replaced as a unit.
OPERATION
When the center area of the driver side airbag trim
cover is depressed, the electrically conductive grids
on the facing surfaces of the horn switch membranes
contact each other, closing the switch circuit. The
completed horn switch circuit provides a ground for
the control coil side of the horn relay, which activates
the relay. When the horn switch is released, the
resistive tension of the convex membrane separates
the two electrically conductive grids and opens the
switch circuit.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HORN SWITCH
For complete circuit diagrams, refer to the appro-
priate wiring information. The wiring information
includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector
repair procedures, details of wire harness routing
and retention, connector pin-out information and
location views for the various wire harness connec-
tors, splices and grounds.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO ELECTRICAL, RESTRAINTS
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the steering column opening cover
from the instrument panel.
(2) Check for continuity between the metal steer-
ing column jacket and a good ground. There should
be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, refer to
Steering, Column for proper installation of the steer-
ing column.
(3) Remove the driver side airbag module from the
steering wheel. Disconnect the horn switch wire har-
ness connectors from the driver side airbag module.
(4) Remove the horn relay from the Power Distri-
bution Center (PDC). Check for continuity between
the steering column half of the horn switch feed wire
harness connector and a good ground. There should
be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK,
repair the shorted horn relay control circuit to the
horn relay in the PDC as required.
(5) Check for continuity between the steering col-
umn half of the horn switch feed wire harness con-
nector and the horn relay control circuit cavity for
the horn relay in the PDC. There should be continu-
ity. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the open
horn relay control circuit to the horn relay in the
PDC as required.
Fig. 3 Power Distribution Center
1 - RIGHT FENDER
2 - BATTERY
3 - POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER
4 - COVER
8H - 6 HORNWJ
HORN RELAY (Continued)

(Fig. 25). There will not be evidence of electrode
burning. Gap growth will not average more than
approximately 0.025 mm (.001 in) per 3200 km (2000
miles) of operation.
Spark plugsexcept platinum tippedthat have
normal wear can usually be cleaned, have the elec-
trodes filed, have the gap set and then be installed.
Some fuel refiners in several areas of the United
States have introduced a manganese additive (MMT)
for unleaded fuel. During combustion, fuel with MMT
causes the entire tip of the spark plug to be coated
with a rust colored deposit. This rust color can be
misdiagnosed as being caused by coolant in the com-
bustion chamber. Spark plug performance may be
affected by MMT deposits.
COLD FOULING/CARBON FOULING
Cold fouling is sometimes referred to as carbon
fouling. The deposits that cause cold fouling are basi-
cally carbon (Fig. 25). A dry, black deposit on one or
two plugs in a set may be caused by sticking valves
or defective spark plug cables. Cold (carbon) fouling
of the entire set of spark plugs may be caused by a
clogged air cleaner element or repeated short operat-
ing times (short trips).
WET FOULING OR GAS FOULING
A spark plug coated with excessive wet fuel or oil
is wet fouled. In older engines, worn piston rings,
leaking valve guide seals or excessive cylinder wear
can cause wet fouling. In new or recently overhauled
engines, wet fouling may occur before break-in (nor-
mal oil control) is achieved. This condition can usu-ally be resolved by cleaning and reinstalling the
fouled plugs.
OIL OR ASH ENCRUSTED
If one or more spark plugs are oil or oil ash
encrusted (Fig. 26), evaluate engine condition for the
cause of oil entry into that particular combustion
chamber.
ELECTRODE GAP BRIDGING
Electrode gap bridging may be traced to loose
deposits in the combustion chamber. These deposits
accumulate on the spark plugs during continuous
stop-and-go driving. When the engine is suddenly
subjected to a high torque load, deposits partially liq-
uefy and bridge the gap between electrodes (Fig. 27).
This short circuits the electrodes. Spark plugs with
electrode gap bridging can be cleaned using standard
procedures.
SCAVENGER DEPOSITS
Fuel scavenger deposits may be either white or yel-
low (Fig. 28). They may appear to be harmful, but
this is a normal condition caused by chemical addi-
tives in certain fuels. These additives are designed to
change the chemical nature of deposits and decrease
spark plug misfire tendencies. Notice that accumula-
tion on the ground electrode and shell area may be
heavy, but the deposits are easily removed. Spark
plugs with scavenger deposits can be considered nor-
mal in condition and can be cleaned using standard
procedures.
Fig. 25 NORMAL OPERATION AND COLD (CARBON)
FOULING
1 - NORMAL
2 - DRY BLACK DEPOSITS
3 - COLD (CARBON) FOULING
Fig. 26 OIL OR ASH ENCRUSTED
8I - 16 IGNITION CONTROLWJ
SPARK PLUG (Continued)