If you need to check your Hyundai Sonata's ignition system for trouble, check to see if it's a distributor-based system or not. A distributor ignition system needs a spark test and the ignition coils checked. On a distributorless system, you use a different method to check the coils only.
Connect a spark tester to a disconnected spark plug wire. Ground the tester to a good metal spot on the engine.
Crank the engine and observe the tester for a spark. The ignition system is working properly if a spark exists. Remove the distributor cap if a spark didn't appear.
Look to see if the rotor turns while you crank the engine. Use the spark tester on the ignition coil wire if the rotor turns.
Test and inspect the ignition coil, power transistor and related wiring if no spark appears at the ignition coil wire. Repair or replace any components that need to be.
Inspect the coil visually with the ignition off. Replace the coil if oil is leaking from it or the resin portion is cracked.
Disconnect the electrical harness and high tension wire from the coil.
Use an ohmmeter on the electrical harness' positive and negative terminals. If the Sonata has a Scoupe engine, the resistance should be 0.45 to 0.55 ohms. The required resistance for all other engines is 0.72 to 0.88 ohms.
Measure the resistance between the electrical harness' positive terminal and the coil's high tension terminal. Resistance should be 10,900 to 13,300 ohms.
Remove the spark plug cables from the connectors on the ignition coil pack. Follow Steps 2 and 3 if the Sonata has a 2.7 or 3.5L engine, Steps 4 and 5 for a 2.4L engine.
Probe terminals 1-4, 2-4 and 3-4 with an ohmmeter. The primary resistance on each should be within 10 percent of 0.74 kohms for a 2.7L or 3.5L engine.
Disconnect the ignition coil pack connector and measure the secondary resistance between the high-voltage terminals on the following cylinders: No. 1 and 4, 2 and 5, and 3 and 6.The resistance should be within 15 percent of 13.3 kohms.
Measure the primary coil resistance between terminals 1-2 and 1-3 with an ohmmeter. On a 2.4L engine, the resistance should be within 10 percent of 0.86 kohms.
Use the ohmmeter on the high-voltage terminals of the No. 1 and 4 cylinders, then the No. 2 and 3 cylinders (disconnect the ignition coil connector first). The resistance should be within 15 percent of 12.1 kohms.
Replace the coil if any resistance specifications are not met.
