Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DB● LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSDODGE AND RAM1983MIRADA 3.7 HREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISENGINE PERFORMANCESYSTEMELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL SYSTEMTESTING - ELECTRONIC SPARK CONTROL SYSTEM TESTSIGNITION SYSTEM STARTING TEST
1983 Dodge and Ram Mirada 3.7 H
Ignition System Starting Test
1983 Dodge and Ram Mirada 3.7 HSECTION Ignition System Starting Test
- Measure and record battery voltage. Check battery specific gravity, which must be 1.220 (temperature corrected) to deliver proper voltage to ignition system.
- Turn ignition on and remove coil wire from distributor cap. Hold end of wire 1/4" from a good engine ground. Intermittently jump coil negative terminal to ground, while watching for spark at coil wire. If there is a spark, it must be constant and bright Blue.
- If there is a good spark, continue cranking engine while slowly moving secondary wire away from ground. Look for arcing at coil tower. If arcing occurs, replace coil. If spark is weak or not constant, or if there is no spark, proceed to Failure to Start Test.
- If spark is good and there is no arcing at coil tower, secondary voltage is satisfactory. Make sure it is reaching spark plugs by checking distributor rotor, cap, spark plug wires and spark plugs.
- If all of these components check okay, ignition system is not at fault. Check fuel system or mechanical engine damage.
CAUTION:
Perform "Ignition System Starting Test" first. Failure to do so may result in lost diagnostic time or incorrect test results.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
Recommended Tools & Savings
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.