Ford Focus Ignition System Check

To check the ignition system on 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT engines, do the following.
GOOD ADVICE
Before checking the ignition system, place the gearshift lever in neutral and apply the parking brake.
1. Open the hood.

2. With the ignition off, check the integrity and fit of the high voltage wires in the ignition coil.
3. Check up serviceability of the coil of ignition.

4. If the ignition coil is good, check for spark at the spark plugs. Remove the high tension wire from any spark plug.

5. Insert a spare spark plug into the wire end ...

6. ... and press it with a metal part to the "mass" of the car (for example, to the cylinder head). Have an assistant turn the engine crankshaft with the starter.
WARNING
Reliable contact of the spark plug body with the “ground” is mandatory, since if an additional spark gap appears that is larger than the gap between the spark plug electrodes, the ignition coil may be damaged. Carry out the indicated check for no more than five seconds so as not to damage the exhaust gas converter if gasoline that has not been burned in the engine cylinders gets into it.
7. If there is a spark when checking with a spare spark plug, replace the spark plugs with new ones after trying to install the checked spark plugs from a “working” machine.

8. If there is no spark, replace the high voltage wires with new ones after trying to install the tested wires from the “working” machine.
9. If there is no spark after replacing the wires, replace the ignition coil.
10. If after that the engine does not start, check the serviceability of the engine management system.
To check the ignition system on 2.0L Duratec Ti-VCT engines, do the following.
1. Open the hood.

2. With the ignition off, check the fit of the ignition coils on the spark plugs.
3. Check the resistance of the primary winding of the ignition coil.
4. If the ignition coil low voltage circuit is OK, check for spark at the spark plugs. Remove the ignition coil.
5. Insert a spare spark plug into the tip of the ignition coil and press it with a metal part to the "mass" of the car (for example, to the cylinder head). Have an assistant turn the engine crankshaft with the starter.
WARNING
Reliable contact of the candle body with the “mass” is mandatory, since if an additional spark gap appears that is larger than the gap between the spark plug electrodes, the ignition coil may be damaged. Carry out the indicated check for no more than five seconds so as not to damage the exhaust gas converter if gasoline that has not been burned in the engine cylinders gets into it.
6. If there is a spark when checking with a spare spark plug, replace the spark plugs with new ones after trying to install the checked spark plugs from a “working” machine.
7. If there is no spark, replace the ignition coil.
8. If after that the engine does not start, check the serviceability of the engine management system.