How To Test The Distributor Pick-Up Coil (1990-1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota)

TEST 2: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting 8 Volts

In this test section, we're gonna' make sure that the pick-up coil is getting 8 Volts.

The terminal that supplies these 8 Volts DC is the terminal labeled with the number 1. The wire that connects to this terminal is the orange (ORG) wire of the engine wiring harness connector.

NOTE: This test is done on the connector that has the round female terminals (see photo above)

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Disconnect the pick-up coil connector from its engine wiring harness connector.

2. 2

   Probe the male terminal labeled with the number 1 with the red multimeter test lead.

3. 3

   Connect the black multimeter test lead to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.

4. 4

   Your multimeter should read 8 to 9 Volts DC.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The pick-up coil is getting 8 Volts. This is the correct and expected test result.

The next step is to make sure that the pick-up coil is getting Ground. For this last test go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting Ground.

CASE 2: The pick-up coil IS NOT getting 8 Volts. This lack of power will stop the pick-up coil from functioning.

Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to check for these missing 8 Volts, your next step is to find out why it's missing and restore it.

TEST 3: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting Ground

For our last test we're gonna' make sure that the pick-up coil is getting Ground.

Ground is fed to the pick-up coil by the terminal labeled with the number 2 in the photo above.

NOTE: This test is done on the connector that has the round female terminals (see photo above)

IMPORTANT: Ground is provided by the fuel injection computer on your 2.5L Dodge Dakota. Be careful and don't short the Ground wire to battery power or you'll fry the fuel injection computer. The suggested multimeter voltage test is a safe way to test for Ground.

OK, these are the test steps:

1. 1

   Disconnect the pick-up coil connector from its engine wiring harness connector.

2. 2

   Probe the male terminal labeled with the number 2 with the black multimeter test lead.

3. 3

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.

4. 4

   Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The pick-up coil is getting Ground. This is the correct and expected test result.

You can now conclude that the pick-up coil is defective if you have:

• Confirmed that the pick-up coil is NOT producing an ON/OFF signal.
• Confirmed that the pick-up coil is getting 8 Volts DC.
• Confirmed that the pick-up coil is getting Ground.

CASE 2: The pick-up coil IS NOT getting Ground. Without Ground the pick-up coil will not create an ON/OFF signal.

Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to check for this missing Ground, your next step is to find out why it's missing and restore it.

More 2.5L Dodge Dakota Tutorials

You can find a complete list of tutorials here: Chrysler 2.5L 4-Cylinder Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:

• Oxygen Sensor Heater Test (1993-1995 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
• How To Test The TPS (1993-1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota).
• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1994-1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota).
• How To Test Engine Compression (1993-2002 2.5L Dodge Dakota).