How to set the ignition on a VAZ 2109 carburetor

The question of how to set the ignition on a VAZ 2109 worries many car enthusiasts. Indeed, owners of these car brands from time to time encounter problems associated with unstable operation of the power unit.

A common symptom is normal engine starting and incorrect idle speed.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? Are there ways to solve it?

According to experienced craftsmen, you need to pay attention to the ignition system - it is the main cause of such a malfunction.

Moreover, in 90% of cases the problem can be solved independently.

System design

Before we begin to consider the adjustment process, we consider it necessary to understand the diagram and principle of operation of the system. Vehicles of the VAZ 2109 model range are equipped with a non-contact ignition system. The connection diagram of all elements is as follows:

The operating principle of the system is not complicated. In order for a spark to begin to be produced, the motor shaft must turn. Simultaneously with its rotation, the camshaft will also turn. As a result of this, the sensor generates a signal that will be sent to the switch. The “K” terminal of the coil will connect to the common wire (to “ground”), as a result of which a spark will occur on the main wire. At the moment when the working distributor slider connects the main wire with one or another high-voltage wire on the corresponding spark plug, a spark will appear and the car engine will start.

If the setting is made incorrectly, the candles work in the wrong time modes. Consequently, such a violation becomes the cause of unstable operation of the entire power unit.

When it is necessary to adjust the ignition system

Adjusting the ignition timing is possible only using the marks of the crankshaft and camshaft. When replacing the timing belt (gas distribution mechanism), it is necessary to adjust the ignition system.

The repair instructions for the VAZ 2109 indicate that the timing belt is replaced every 60 thousand km. But car service specialists recommend tuning every 40-45 thousand km.

The belt must be inspected every 15 thousand km. For timely detection of defects (scuffs, tears, cracks, oiling). If any of them are found, the belt is replaced with a new one.

If the belt breaks in a car with an engine capacity of 1.5 liters, then the valves will not bend. If the engine is of a smaller volume, the valves will either rip off or bend. The repair will take much longer.

Preparatory activities and necessary tools

Installing the ignition of a VAZ 2109 carburetor begins with preparatory activities. In particular, you need:

Warm up the car engine;
Set the parking brake and install wheel chocks under the rear wheels.

Remember that you cannot ignore safety rules, because a car is a highly dangerous vehicle, and failure to comply with safety rules when driving, servicing and repairing it can cost you dearly.

An important point: before you start work, you should make sure that the carburetor is correctly configured on the car. It would not be superfluous to carry out a visual inspection of all elements of the system. If we are talking about a carburetor car, special attention should be paid to inspecting the condition of the distributor.

If you have a car with an injection engine, it is worth checking the ignition module for serviceability. The thing is that, as practice shows, it is this module that fails most often and is the reason for the inoperability of the entire system.

To complete the work we need:

strobe;
a set of keys.

How to regulate

Practice shows that most often problems with the ignition system are observed in older models with a carburetor type of power plant.

To perform the setup you will need the following tools:

Screwdriver Set;
strobe light (you can basically do without it, but with its help you can set the angle more accurately);
10mm wrench (suitable for both socket and socket wrenches);
tachometer (it is available in almost any car multimeter).

How to correctly set the ignition on a VAZ 2109 carburetor - detailed instructions

The setup process is as follows:

1. Start the car engine and ensure that the engine speed is approximately 800 rpm. To set the idle speed within such limits, it is enough to use a slotted screwdriver to adjust the screw responsible for the amount of fuel mixture in the carburetor.

2. After setting the idle speed to the above value, turn off the car engine.

3. Disconnect the rubber hose from the vacuum corrector. Carefully bend the hose approximately in the middle or plug it with a screw of a suitable diameter.

4. Connect the positive terminal of the strobe to the “+” terminal of the battery;

5. Connect the negative wire of the strobe to the “-” terminal of the battery;

6. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the socket of the first cylinder as shown in the image:

Disconnect the spark plug wire

7. Install the strobe sensor into the socket and connect the high-voltage wire to it;

8. Remove the plug from the clutch housing hatch:

Removing the stub

9. Turn on the ignition and start the engine. We direct the actively changing luminous flux generated by the strobe into the clutch housing hatch:

We direct the strobe into the clutch housing hatch

10. When the light is flashing, it seems that the mark located on the flywheel is stationary. If the ignition is installed correctly, the first mark should be between the technological notch and the previous mark on the scale.

Basic technical concepts

The ignition system is a variety of interconnected instruments and devices that guarantee the appearance of an electrical discharge, which in turn ignites the mixture of fuel and air in the internal combustion engine system. This system plays a huge role in the vehicle’s technical equipment and electrical equipment.

We are not interested in the entire ignition system, but only in the moment the spark appears, which determines the correct operation of the entire system. This moment is called the ignition moment, because. determines the time for ignition of the working mixture in compressed form. Incorrectly set ignition timing entails many problems in the operation of the car. With the help of this article you will learn how to identify the problem, what it means and how to fix it.

VAZ-21099: under the hood

Incandescent lamp instead of strobe light

Many car owners will ask a completely fair question: how to adjust the ignition of a VAZ 2109 in the absence of a strobe light. Of course, it is more correct to work with a strobe, especially since in this case it is possible to carry out adjustment and adjustment work as accurately as possible. However, there is another method that is useful for those who, for one reason or another, do not want to purchase a strobe.

To work, we need an ordinary incandescent lamp designed for an operating voltage of 12V. The entire algorithm of actions is as follows:

Disconnect the wire from the distributor that goes to the ignition coil
We connect one terminal of an incandescent light bulb to the wire. We connect the second wire from the lamp to ground.
As in the case when setting the ignition of a VAZ 2109 using a strobe light, use a spanner to loosen the distributor fastening nuts.
Turn on the ignition. The incandescent lamp should light up.
Gradually turn the distributor until the lamp stops glowing. After this, turn the distributor slightly in the other direction. As soon as the lamp starts to glow again, you can tighten the fastening nuts.

Of course, the method described above cannot provide the highest possible adjustment accuracy. However, with its help it is quite possible to achieve more or less correct and stable operation of the power unit.

Setting with a light bulb

If you do not have a strobe, then the torque can be adjusted using a conventional control lamp; in particular, you will need a 12-volt lighting source.

How to set the SOP torque using a control light:

To correctly adjust the torque of the RCD in the Nine with a carburetor engine, you will need to crank the crankshaft until the marks coincide. To turn the crankshaft you will need a special wrench. If the key is missing, you can set the lever on the gearbox to fourth speed, and then manually turn the shaft until the marks match.
To make the adjustment, you will need to connect the test light to the wire and switchgear with the coil. The second contact from the light source is connected to ground, that is, the vehicle body.
Next, on the switchgear housing you will need to slightly loosen the bolts that secure it. Then you will need to turn the key in the ignition. If everything is working correctly, the light should light up.
After completing these steps, you will need to turn the housing of the distribution mechanism; it turns until the light stops burning. After this happens, the distributor housing will need to be turned in the opposite direction. The adjustment procedure stops the moment the lamp starts to light again. When this happens, the distributor no longer needs to be touched; it will be necessary to tighten the bolts that secure it (the author of the video about the implementation of this method is Nail Poroshin).

How to adjust the ignition on a VAZ 2109 - an alternative method

In addition to the adjustment methods described above using a strobe and a light bulb, you should remember one more method - adjustment using a standard tachometer. We emphasize that this method, like the method using a light bulb, cannot provide high accuracy of adjustment. Moreover, it is characterized by one significant drawback - it is impossible to carry out the adjustment yourself; you will need to hire an assistant. So:

Your assistant is located behind the wheel of the car. He turns on the ignition and monitors the readings of the standard tachometer on the instrument panel.
You loosen the nuts securing the distributor and turn it a little.
Your assistant turns the ignition key. The tachometer needle should quickly deflect and return to zero.
You need to ensure that the distributor remains in a position in which the tachometer needle deflects.

You may notice that this method requires patience and quite a lot of time. As practice shows, it is not possible to adjust the ignition quickly and the first time using this method . Therefore, we recommend using it only in extreme cases.

Setting the ignition

Now that the preparations are complete, you should set the correct ignition timing angle for the VAZ-21099. This is easy to do using the step-by-step instructions below:

start the engine. The number of revolutions should be minimal - no more than 800 rpm. Use a tachometer to check;
the strobe beam should shine through the observation window on the hatch;
The longest mark on the flywheel should be set at the zero mark (in degrees). Determine the position on the mark specific to your fuel.

You need to change the ignition angle from the zero position of the long line, i.e. from the center of the triangle towards the windshield of the car. To avoid mistakes, gradually turn the ignition distribution housing to the right. This movement increases the advance angle, while counterclockwise movement decreases it.

The exact direction of movement will be helped by the scale on the distributor with a plus and a minus drawn. It is very convenient to use for proper adjustment. It is worth keeping in mind that each division is equal to 8 degrees, so to avoid errors you need to adjust slowly. Once the desired position is achieved, disconnect the distributor and secure it in the desired position.

How to set the ignition on a VAZ 2109 injector

Above we described the process of adjusting carburetor engines. However, there are VAZ modifications equipped with injection power units. How to set the ignition on a VAZ 2109 with such an engine?

First of all, you should pay attention that in the case of injection engines, they do not have a distributor and a Hall sensor. At the same time, the system provides two ignition coils at once, and, accordingly, two switches. The main difference between the injection system and the classic one is that the control signals are generated by a special electronic unit. The operating principle is as follows:

Operating principle of the injection system

Thus, there is simply no need for a distributor, because it is the electronic control unit that determines in which cylinder and at what point in time there should be a spark. Signals from the control unit are supplied to the inputs of the switches, and from them to the ignition coils. One switch is responsible for sparking in the first and third cylinders, and the second - in the second and fourth.

As in the case of engines with a carburetor fuel system, adjustment is carried out according to special technological risks. The ignition marks of the VAZ 2109 injector are shown in the photo below:

Ignition marks VAZ 2109 injector

Please note that it is not possible to configure the injection engine system yourself. The thing is that this operation involves making changes to the software of the microcontroller of the electronic control unit. Of course, each specific microcontroller has its own specific firmware. Moreover, there are also non-standard firmwares, for example, with settings for a sporty driving style.

Only an experienced specialist with certain knowledge can flash an electronic control unit. Therefore, if malfunctions occur in the ignition system of an injection engine, you should seek help from a trusted car service center.

Theoretical basis

The ignition system, not only of the VAZ 2109, but also of other cars, is a chain of interconnected devices and components that ensure the appearance of a spark on the spark plugs and the subsequent ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine.

The system includes:

switch;
switch;
coil;
distributor;
spark plug.

Carburetor diagram.

Injector diagram.

All these elements are switched using low and high voltage wires.

One of the main components is the ignition distributor, which performs two main functions - it sets the moment of spark supply (depending on the speed of the power unit) and supplies the spark to the cylinders.

The correct operation of the devices mentioned above determines the ignition timing, that is, the time when a spark is supplied to the spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture.

Incorrect setting of the torque can cause malfunctions in the engine, problems with starting it and “floating” rotation of the crankshaft at idle speed.

To fix this, you need to know several nuances, which will be discussed in the article.

Verifying that the settings are correct

After we have dealt with the question of how to install the ignition on a VAZ 2109, we will consider the process of checking whether the adjustment work has been carried out correctly.

So, if configured correctly:

during the process of rapid acceleration of the power plant (when the car is warm), there is no violation of the stability of its operation;
When the car is moving at a speed of about 50 km/h in fourth speed and during sharp acceleration, there should be a short detonation of the engine. If there is no detonation, ignition is later; if it is present, but does not go through, it is earlier. We make the adjustment by turning the distributor in one direction or another.

Remember that it is often impossible to achieve stable operation of the power unit due to improper operation of the fuel system or even due to low quality gasoline. In this kind of situation, the best way out of it would be to set the carburetor to the most optimal operating mode and then adjust the ignition timing.

Very often, these ignition system malfunctions are caused by a trivial reason - an incorrectly set ignition.

What do ignition malfunctions promise?

Difficulties in starting the power unit, strange color of exhaust gases, incorrect operation of the engine at idle speed - all this can be the cause of incorrectly adjusted ignition timing.

At the same time, many car enthusiasts blame the carburetor and spend a lot of time cleaning or repairing it. As a result, money and time are wasted, but there is no result.

On the other hand, if the ignition system does not produce a spark, and the spark plugs are regularly filled, then the problem may lie elsewhere.

An incorrectly set angle manifests itself as follows:

1. Powerful detonation appears during operation of the power unit.

It is not difficult to recognize the problem. The main symptom is an uncharacteristic ringing sound that is heard when you press the accelerator pedal.

This malfunction is a common occurrence among motorists who do not properly monitor the condition of their vehicle.

The cause of detonation is early ignition timing, which not only reduces the comfort of driving a car, but can also lead to deformation of the pistons.

Alternatively, the rings may be defective, which in this case will inevitably have to be replaced.

2. The appearance of smoke from the exhaust pipe.

— after starting the power unit, black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe. This problem is a clear indication of pre-ignition.

3. Motor power decreases.

This is especially noticeable when the vehicle picks up speed.

There may be a delay of several seconds between pressing the gas pedal and the car starting to accelerate. If the car starts to accelerate, it happens jerkily.

4. Fuel consumption increases.

One of the main consequences of incorrect system configuration. This and the problem described above are evidence of late ignition.

This is explained by the fact that when the piston reaches the top point, the fuel mixture does not burn completely and continues to burn even when the piston moves back.

5. Uneven idle.

An incorrectly set ignition immediately manifests itself as engine malfunctions at idle.

In such a situation, experts recommend setting up the system first, and only then starting to check other systems.

Incendiary physics - advance, distributor and UOZ

How to set the ignition? What is UOZ? Where did the runners rotate in domestic cars? What does the expression “set by spark” mean? - there are many interesting questions to which owners of modern cars may not give the correct answers.

What is ignition timing - also known as ignition timing? Is this some kind of attribute of ancient cars or something unshakable, akin to universal gravity? Most modern car owners are unaware of this. All car systems are controlled by numerous controllers, and therefore timely sparking in the engine cylinders is entirely their responsibility. Meanwhile, a huge number of ancient machines are running around the country, unfamiliar with processors and other chips. Therefore, questions like “How to regulate the SOP?” still sound today.

It's always a pleasure to answer technical questions. But first you have to remember some “incendiary” terms.

Purpose of the distributor cover

The design of the ignition distributor cap (aka distributor) has remained and remains virtually unchanged throughout the entire history of the use of this device as part of the ignition system of gasoline engines:

On most ignition caps, the contacts for the spark plug wires are marked with numbers that correspond to the serial numbers of the corresponding cylinders
In addition to protecting the distributor mechanism itself from moisture and dirt, it also serves the purpose of alternating the supply of high-voltage current from the ignition coil winding through high-voltage wires to the spark plugs
It is because of this narrow specialization that the distributor cap has undergone almost minimal changes along the evolution of all car systems

Let's look at the design and operating principle of this much-needed part.

The distributor cap is a molded part made of non-electrically conductive material (insulator) that has the following device:

Metal contacts are pressed into this part - these are the side and central electrodes
The number of side electrodes strictly corresponds to the number of engine spark plugs (but not cylinders, do not forget that there are engines in which there is more than one spark plug for each individual cylinder); the distributor cover on the VAZ 2109 in our case has four side electrodes
A high-voltage (armor) wire coming from the ignition coil is connected to the central electrode from the outside
To the side electrodes - high-voltage (armor) wires going to the spark plugs
Inside the cover itself there is a central contact equipped with a terminal that has a spring-loaded contact element (“carbon”), which transmits voltage to the central (main) contact of the distributor rotor (ignition distributor)

Schematic design of the lid

When installing the cover on the distributor body, it is important to take into account not only the order of connecting the armored wires, the orientation of the cover in relation to the “nose” of the runner is also important. The ignition distributor cover is attached to the distributor body using latches or screws (the distributor cover on the VAZ 2109 is secured with screws) To prevent the formation of condensation under the lid, it has a special ventilation hole

Adjusting the ignition using the tachometer

To carry out this type of economical ignition adjustment of the Zhiguli 2109, two people will be needed. One should be in the interior of the Nine, the second should rotate the distributor.

Step-by-step adjustment using the tachometer

Turn on the ignition and watch the tachometer needle.
A second person must loosen the bolts securing the distributor and turn it.
When you turn the key in the ignition, the tachometer needle sharply deviates and returns to zero.
The distributor should remain in the position when the tachometer needle deviates.
This method of adjusting the ignition timing requires patience, as it is very difficult to adjust the first time.

How to test the ignition yourself

This fairly simple method of checking the operation of the ignition system can be used both for cars of the “ninth” family and for other passenger vehicles equipped with a carburetor engine. However, it should be noted right away that some experience is required here, since the test is carried out by ear.

So, first you need to accelerate the car to a speed of 50 km/h and engage fourth gear. Now press the gas pedal all the way and listen to the engine. If at this moment quiet detonation sounds appear, it means that the VAZ-2109 ignition timing is set correctly. The late timing is indicated by the absence of sounds during acceleration. In the case when the detonation sounds are too loud, one should conclude that the ignition is early. In both the first and second cases, your car’s engine requires re-adjusting the ignition timing.

Sources used:

https://twokarburators.ru/ustanovka-momenta-zazhiganija-ugla-operezhenia/
https://tolkavto.ru/remont-i-obsluzhivanie/elektrooborudovanie/kak-pravilno-vystavit-zazhiganie-na-vaz-2109.html
https://carextra.ru/tyuning/kak-vystavit-zazhiganie-vaz-2109.html

instructions and purpose

Let's first consider the general purpose, design and types of distributors:

The distributor is part of the ignition system, and is designed to regulate, transmit and control the electrical signal to the distribution coil switch, igniting the spark along the spark plugs in the required accordance (in sequence with the ignition stroke)
There are two types of ignition systems - non-contact and contact (of course, there are others, but they are not very common), accordingly, distributors are also used of two types
friend They differ from each other only in design: the presence of contacts (in a contact system there is a breaker), a sensor distributor (in a contactless ignition sensor system there is a distributor)
According to the main characteristics, both systems are almost identical

On VAZ-2109 cars, as well as 2108 models-2199, a distributor with a built-in Hall sensor, four spark, with built-in centrifugal (regulators and vacuum) ignition timing is standardly installed. You can see the main details in the photo above:

1 - sealing ring
2 - special
3 – coupling adjusting washers
4 - roller with a centrifugal regulator located on it
5 — support plate
6 – screen, protecting from dust
7 - the so-called “runner”
8 - Hall sensor itself
9 — lock washer
10 - thrust washer
11 — distributor, ignition housing
12 — vacuum corrector