9-214

Engine Controls and Fuel - Marine

Particulate Contaminants in Fuel

Testing Procedure
1. Using an approved fuel container, draw
approximately 0.5 liter (0.53 qt) of fuel.
2. Place the container on a level surface for
approximately 5 minutes in order to allow settling
of the particulate contamination. Particulate
contamination will show up in various shapes and
colors. Sand will typically be identified by a white or
light brown crystals. Rubber will appear as black
and irregular particles.
3. Observe the fuel sample. If any physical
contaminants or water are present, clean the
fuel system.

Distributor Ignition (DI) System

Diagnosis
Diagnostic Instructions
Perform the Powertrain On Board
Diagnostic (OBD) System Check on page 9-64
prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
Review Strategy Based Diagnosis on page 6-4 for
an overview of the diagnostic approach.
Diagnostic Procedure Instructions on page 6-5
provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description
The distributor ignition (DI) system uses the crankshaft
position (CKP) sensor in order to provide a timing
input to the engine control module (ECM). Ignition
control (IC) spark timing for each cylinder is based on
this input. The ECM provides the ignition timing signal
to the ignition control module (ICM) to control the
ignition coil. Each timing pulse detected by the ICM
allows it to energize the ignition coil. A large secondary
ignition voltage is induced in the secondary coil by the
primary coil. This high voltage is switched to the correct
spark plug by the distributor.

Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Engine Controls Schematics on page 9-6

Connector End View Reference

Engine Control Module Connector End Views on
page 9-30
Engine Controls Connector End Views on
page 9-33

Electrical Information Reference

Circuit Testing on page 11-6
Connector Repairs on page 11-22
Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor
Connections on page 11-13
Wiring Repairs on page 11-16

Scan Tool Reference

Engine Control Module Scan Tool Information on
page 9-54

Special Tools
J 26792 Spark Tester

Circuit/System Verification
Note:
Do not perform this diagnostic procedure if you
were not sent here from a misfire DTC or the
Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic.
It may be necessary to perform step 1 on a few of
the spark plug wires.
1. Ignition OFF, connect the J 26792 to the boot of a
spark plug wire of a cylinder and ground.
Note: An erratic or weak spark is considered a no
spark condition.
2. Engine cranking, the spark tester should spark.

Circuit/System Testing
1. Ignition OFF, inspect the spark plug wires, and
coil wire for the following:
Mis-routed wires
Cracks in the insulation
Improper connection at the spark plugs and
distributor cap
If a condition is found, repair as necessary.
2. Disconnect the harness connector at the ICM.
3. Test for less than 5 between the ground circuit
terminal C and ground.
If greater than the specified range, repair the
ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates
between the ignition voltage circuit terminal A
and ground.
If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the
ignition voltage circuit for a short to ground
or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests
normal and the ignition voltage circuit fuse
is open, test all components connected to
the ignition voltage circuit and replace
as necessary.
Note: Set the DMM to the DC 4 volt scale for this test.
5. Connect a DMM between the ignition control
circuit terminal B and ground.
6. Ignition ON, verify the voltage is less than
0.050 V.
If greater than the specified range, test the
circuit for a short to voltage.
7. Engine cranking, verify the voltage is greater than
100 mV.
If less than the specified range, test the
ignition control circuit for a short to ground or
an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests
normal, replace the ECM.
8. Ignition OFF, connect the ICM harness connector.
Disconnect the harness connector at the
ignition coil.
2011 - Marine Engines Manual

Engine Controls and Fuel - Marine

9. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates
between the ignition voltage circuit terminal A
and ground.
If less than the specified range, repair the
ignition voltage circuit for an open/high
resistance.
10. Connect a test lamp between the coil driver circuit
terminal C and B+.
11. Engine cranking, the test lamp should blink.
If the test lamp remains ON all the time,
test the ignition control circuit for a short
to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace
the ICM.
If the test lamp remains OFF all the time,
test the ignition control circuit for a short
to voltage, or an open/high resistance. If the
circuit tests normal, replace the ICM.
12. Ignition OFF, connect the ignition coil harness
connector. Disconnect the ignition coil wire from
the distributor cap. Connect the J 26792 between
the boot of the coil wire and ground.
13. Engine cranking, the spark tester should spark.
If the spark tester does not spark, test the
coil wire for an open/high resistance. If the
coil wire tests normal, replace the ignition coil.
14. Ignition OFF, remove the distributor cap.
15. Engine cranking, verify the distributor rotor is
rotating.
If the distributor rotor does not rotate, repair
the engine mechanical condition.
16. If all circuits test normal, inspect and replace the
distributor cap and rotor.

Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification on
page 6-22 after completing the diagnostic procedure.
Ignition Coil Replacement (3.0L) on page 9-241 or
Ignition Coil Replacement (6.0L and 6.2L) on
page 9-242 or Ignition Coil Replacement (4.3L,
5.0L, and 5.7L) on page 9-243 or Ignition Coil
Replacement (2.4L) on page 9-244
Spark Plug Wire Inspection on page 9-245
Engine Control Module Programming and Setup
on page 6-3 for ECM replacement, setup, and
programming

Electronic Ignition System

Diagnosis
Diagnostic Instructions
Perform the Powertrain On Board
Diagnostic (OBD) System Check on page 9-64
prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
Review Strategy Based Diagnosis on page 6-4 for
an overview of the diagnostic approach.
Diagnostic Procedure Instructions on page 6-5
provides an overview of each diagnostic category.
2011 - Marine Engines Manual

9-215

Circuit/System Description
Ignition 1 voltage is supplied to the ignition coil.
The engine control module (ECM) provides a ground
for the ignition coil (IC) control circuits. When the ECM
removes the ground path of the ignition primary coil,
the magnetic field produced by the coil collapses.
The collapsing magnetic field produces a voltage
in the secondary coil which ignites the spark plugs.
The sequencing and timing are controlled by the ECM.

Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Engine Controls Schematics on page 9-6

Connector End View Reference

Engine Control Module Connector End Views on
page 9-30
Engine Controls Connector End Views on
page 9-33

Electrical Information Reference

Circuit Testing on page 11-6
Connector Repairs on page 11-22
Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor
Connections on page 11-13
Wiring Repairs on page 11-16

Scan Tool Reference

Engine Control Module Scan Tool Information on
page 9-54

Circuit/System Testing
Note: Do not perform this diagnostic procedure if
you were not sent here from a misfire DTC or
the Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic.
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at
the ignition coil.
2. Test for less than 2 between the ground circuit
terminal A/1 and ground.
If greater than the specified range, repair the
ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Test for less than 2 between the EST return
circuit terminal B/2 and ground.
If greater than the specified range, test the
EST return circuit for an open/high resistance.
If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
4. Ignition ON, load test for B+ between the ignition
voltage circuit terminal D/4 and ground.
If less than the specified range, test the ignition
voltage circuit for a short to ground or an
open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal
and the ignition voltage circuit fuse is open,
test all components connected to the ignition
voltage circuit and replace as necessary.
5. If all circuits test normal, replace the ignition coil.