Diagnosing Ignition Parts

[Nick88]

Howdy guys, I have a question regarding ignition parts because I can never really find this info anywhere. My question is how do you test, preferably with a multimeter, an external electronic spark control module (ESC). Im mostly curious because I have an intermittent timing issue at times and the only part that isnt brand new in my ignition system is the ESC. Whenever I try searching about the ESC most stuff comes back to the ICM instead inside the distrubutor. Ive seen others ask on other forums but never have seen a straight answer. Thanks.

 

[Schurkey]

Download the service manual set for your vehicle from the links in the Sticky thread section of the Engine forum. Depending on the year of the vehicle, you may be specifically looking for the Emissions manual.

Wild Guess with no evidence: You're not going to diagnose the ESC module with a multimeter alone. You're gonna need a scan tool in addition.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Unplug it. Your ignition will run without it. See if your intermittent timing issue goes away.

 

[Nick88]

Download the service manual set for your vehicle from the links in the Sticky thread section of the Engine forum. Depending on the year of the vehicle, you may be specifically looking for the Emissions manual.

Wild Guess with no evidence: You're not going to diagnose the ESC module with a multimeter alone. You're gonna need a scan tool in addition.

I found the diagnostic troubleshooting page online but it doesnt really give a clear way of testing, thats why Im asking

 

[Nick88]

Unplug it. Your ignition will run without it. See if your intermittent timing issue goes away.

Will it go to max timing retard as a sort of "limp mode" since the ECM wouldnt get any feedback from the knock sensor?

 

[Erik the Awful]

I don't know which way the timing will go, I just know it'll run fixed timing. I ran WCJr for about a year without the ESC until I finally swapped to a Holley Sniper distributor.

 

[Nick88]

I don't know which way the timing will go, I just know it'll run fixed timing. I ran WCJr for about a year without the ESC until I finally swapped to a Holley Sniper distributor.

Ill try that later, see how it goes