The electronic ignition pickup is located in your ignition distributor. The ignition coil delivers voltage by triggering a spark to each cylinder as the ignition rotor spins inside the distributor cap. Like most electronic components, the ignition pick up can show symptoms of failure by misfiring intermittently, or it can fail all at once. In some vehicles, the pickup can be replaced while the distributor is left in place. In others, it may be easier to remove the distributor.
Method 1 of 2: Replacing the ignition pick-up in the vehicle
This method involves leaving the distributor in place.
Materials Needed
- Replacement ignition pickup
- Screwdrivers
- Sockets/ratchet
Step 1: Disconnect the battery: Remove the negative terminal on the battery.
Set it aside or wrap it with a rag as to not make contact with any part of the body or chassis.
Step 2: Remove the distributor cap and rotor. Unplug the ignition wire from the ignition coil to the center post of the distributor cap. The distributor cap is usually held on to the distributor by two screws or two spring-loaded clips. Select the appropriate screwdriver to remove yours. Once you lift the cap off, remove the ignition rotor, either simply pulled off or, in some cases, held onto the distributor shaft by a screw.
- Tip: If it is necessary to remove any or all of the spark plug wires from the distributor cap to make work easier, use pieces of masking tape to mark each cylinder number and wrap the pieces on each spark plug wire. This way, you are less likely to reconnect the spark plug wires in the wrong firing order.
Step 3: Remove the ignition pickup coil: Disconnect the electrical wires to the pickup.
Some vehicles may have a wire connector that you simply unplug. Others may have individual wires.
Once the wires are disconnected, remove the mounting screws. They can be located on the face of the pickup coil or on the outside of the distributor.
Step 4: Replace the pickup coil: Install the new pickup coil, making sure the wire connectors and mounting screws are properly tightened.
Reinstall the ignition rotor, distributor cap, and plug/coil wires.
Method 2 of 2: Pick-up coil replacement with distributor removed
Materials Needed
- Distributor wrench
- ignition timing light
- Screwdrivers
- Sockets/ratchet
White-Out or a felt tip marker
Note: Follow steps 1-3 from Method 1 first. Disconnect the battery, remove the coil/spark plug wires, distributor cap and ignition rotor as described above.
Step 4: Unplug the distributor. Take care to mark the location of any wires or connectors necessary to remove the distributor.
Step 5: Remove the distributor. Using White-Out or a high-visibility felt-tipped marker, place a mark on the distributor shaft and a mark on the engine to note the location of the distributor before removing it.
Reinstalling the distributor incorrectly can affect ignition timing to the point where you will not be able to restart the vehicle. Remove the distributor mounting bolt and gently remove the distributor.
- Note: With some applications, you will be able to use a socket/ratchet or an open/box-end wrench to remove the mounting bolt. With other applications, there may not be enough room to use them. Those applications is where the distributor wrench comes in handy.
Step 6: Replace the ignition pickup. With the distributor on a flat surface, replace the ignition pickup, making sure all connections are properly secured.
Step 7: Reinstall the distributor. Installation is reverse of removal. Take care to be sure the markings you made in step 5 line up.
Reinstall the mounting bolt but do not secure it tightly at this time, as you may need to rotate the distributor to set the timing properly. Reconnect the battery once all wiring connections are secure.
Step 8: Checking the ignition timing. Connect the ignition timing light power/ground connectors to the battery. Connect the spark plug pickup to the #1 cylinder wire. Start the engine and shine the timing light on the ignition marks.
One mark will be stationary on the engine. The other will rotate with the engine. If the marks do not line up, rotate the distributor slightly until they do.
Step 9: Secure the distributor mounting bolt. Once you have lined up the ignition timing marks in step 8, turn the engine off and secure the distributor mounting bolt.
- Note: Make sure to not move the distributor while securing the mounting bolt or the timing will have to be rechecked.
If you need an ignition pickup coil replacement for your vehicle, contact YourMechanic for an appointment today.
