Instructions for setting up the ignition system of a VAZ 2107 with your own hands

Vehicle dynamics, fuel consumption, exhaust toxicity and starting reliability on a carburetor “seven” depend on the correct setting of the ignition timing. The outdated “contact” system requires periodic maintenance and adjustment. Ignition adjustment on a VAZ 2107 with an injection engine equipped with a contactless ignition system is not required. But owners of outdated modifications of the VAZ 2107 have to go to a service station for adjustments or perform the operation themselves. This is not difficult to do.

When should you turn on the ignition?

The first thing you should know is that there are no regulations for this operation, since the ignition timing is set or adjusted only if necessary. It may be caused by the following reasons:

1. You recently purchased a “Seven” on the secondary market and are trying to “bring it to mind.”
2. After engine repair, accompanied by its disassembly.
3. After unscrewing or removing the main ignition distributor (distributor), regardless of the reason why this was done.
4. When switching from high-octane fuel to gasoline with a lower octane number and vice versa.
5. After replacing the contact group or bearing in the distributor (in cars with an old ignition system).

Note. On VAZ 2107 vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled injector, the reason for checking the spark generation system may be the flashing of the Check Engine display on the instrument panel. True, it behaves in a similar way when a dozen more malfunctions occur. So ignition problems must first be diagnosed by contacting a service station.

In the vast majority of cases, the sparking moment is set as a result of a violation of the settings after disassembling or repairing the engine. A separate issue is the transition to high-octane gasoline, which requires ignition with greater advance, for which adjustments are being made.

It is advisable to check the timely formation of a discharge on the electrodes of the spark plugs in cases where unstable engine operation is observed, popping noises are heard in the carburetor and exhaust pipe, accompanied by an increase in fuel consumption. If you have not yet discovered the “gluttony” of the car, then pay attention to the color of the smoke; with high gasoline consumption, it is black, as is the carbon deposits on the electrodes of the spark plugs.

Muffler repair on a “classic” is studied in detail here:

High voltage wires

High voltage wires (HVW) transmit impulses from the coil to the spark plugs. Unlike other wires, they must not only withstand high voltage, but also protect other parts of the car from it. Each wire consists of a conductor with a metal tip, rubber caps on both sides and insulation. The serviceability and reliability of the insulation is of great importance, since it:

• prevents moisture from entering the conductive element;
• reduces current leakage to a minimum.

Malfunctions of high-voltage wires

The following main malfunctions are characteristic of GDP:

• breakage of the conductive element;
• voltage leakage due to poor insulation;
• excessively high wire resistance;
• unreliable contact between the GDP and the spark plugs or its absence.

If the VV is damaged, the electrical contact is lost and a discharge occurs, leading to voltage loss. In this case, the spark plug receives not the rated voltage, but an electromagnetic pulse. Faulty wires lead to improper functioning of some sensors and interruptions in the operation of the power unit. As a result, one of the cylinders stops performing useful work and runs idle. The power unit loses power and begins to detonate. In this case, they say that the engine is “troubling.”

One of the malfunctions of high-voltage wires is a break

Diagnostics of high-voltage wires

If you suspect a malfunction of the engine (the engine is “troubling”), they must first be carefully inspected - damage to the insulation, chips, or contact with hot engine elements is possible. Particular attention should be paid to the wire contacts - there should be no traces of oxidation or soot on them. If no visible damage is found, proceed to detect a possible break and measure the resistance of the GDP using a multimeter. The wire resistance should be 3–10 kOhm. If it is zero, the wire is broken. It should also be taken into account that the resistance should not deviate from the norm by more than 2–3 kOhm. Otherwise, the wire should be replaced.

Selection of high voltage wires

When purchasing new wires, you should pay attention to the car manufacturer's recommendations. The VAZ 2107 is usually equipped with VPPV-40 (blue) wires with distributed resistance (2550 +/-200 Ohm/m) or PVVP-8 (red) with distributed resistance (2000 +/-200 Ohm/m). An important indicator of GDP is the permissible voltage. If the actual voltage values ​​exceed the permissible values, breakdown of the cable insulating layer may occur and the wire may fail. The voltage in a non-contact SZ reaches 20 kV, and the breakdown voltage is 50 kV.

The material from which the GDPs are made is also important. Typically the wire has polyethylene insulation in a polyvinyl chloride sheath. Silicone GDPs are considered the most reliable. They do not become rough in the cold, which prevents them from loosening in their nests, and are less prone to breakdowns. Wire manufacturers include Champion, Tesla, Horse, and others.

Tesla products are considered one of the most reliable

Types of systems

For decades, while the VAZ 2107 model was produced (from 1982 to 2012), it was equipped with three types of ignition systems:

• mechanical with contacts - breakers;
• contactless;
• controlled by an electronic unit (ECU).

Contact ignition circuit installed in the first VAZ 2107 models

Note. The first 2 varieties were installed on the “seven” with a carburetor, the latter was introduced together with an injector.

In the mechanical version, the contacts opened by the cam of the distributor shaft break the low voltage circuit, initiating the formation of a powerful pulse in the secondary winding of the coil. This discharge is directed to the electrodes of the spark plug, which ignites the fuel in the cylinder where the piston has risen to top dead center (TDC) and the compression stroke is completed.

Scheme of non-contact ignition of the seven with a carburetor

The contactless circuit operates on the same principle, only the signal to break the circuit is supplied by the Hall sensor, and it is implemented by the switch. Therefore, setting the ignition on carburetor “sevens” is done almost identically. Another thing is cars with an injector, where a new system has been introduced that does not have not only contacts, but also a distributor and any moving parts. Here, the moment of spark formation is determined by the ECU controller, which is guided by the signals of various sensors.

Ignition system VAZ 2107 with injector

What is ignition timing?

For the ignition to work correctly, the following condition must be met: sparking must occur at the moment when the piston is at TDC. This should be a compression stroke. This moment should be the flash point.

However, that's not all. The time it takes for the fuel mixture to completely burn must also be taken into account. Therefore, the spark plugs must create an impulse with some advance, which is called the advance angle. As a result, the mixture reaches the peak of combustion, and the cylinder begins to move downward.

If sparking occurs earlier, then such ignition is called earlier, and if late, then later. Early leads to detonation. This is why the engine quickly overheats and becomes inefficient, although fuel consumption can sometimes be greatly reduced. This can be determined by the spark plug electrodes, which are covered with a white coating. With late ignition, power is noticeably lost, and black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe, which indicates that gasoline, without having time to burn in the cylinder, burns out in the exhaust system.

The spark plugs, in this case, turn black. Popping noises in the exhaust pipe can also tell this. Late ignition means that the spark plugs are simply flooded with fuel, which does not burn or burns incompletely. When they are flooded, they do not work.

Ignition systems are divided into 3 groups:

Contact ignition system

Contact ignition system

Contactless ignition system

Contactless ignition system

Electronic ignition system (microprocessor ignition system)

Electronic ignition system

Pros and cons of contactless ignition

Pros and cons of contact ignition

Pros and cons of an electronic ignition system

Preparatory stage

To set the ignition on a VAZ 2107 car, no special conditions are required; the operation can be done both in the garage and on the street, including in winter. For work, prepare the following set of tools:

• flat screwdriver;
• metal probe 0.35 mm thick;
• open-end wrench size 13 mm;
• a car light bulb designed for a voltage of 12 V with wires soldered to it;
• a wrench with a long handle designed to turn the crankshaft;
• key for unscrewing spark plugs.

Ignition tuning tool

Note. Instead of a special key to rotate the crankshaft, you can use a regular open-end wrench measuring 36 mm. If you don’t have such a key, then you will have to set the marks in the old proven way: by engaging 4th gear and raising the rear wheel, turn it manually, thereby turning the crankshaft.

Ideally, it is better to have in your arsenal a device for setting the ignition on a running engine - a strobe light. It is equipped with a lamp that flashes simultaneously with the moment of spark formation in the cylinder, which allows you to see the position of the notch on the crankshaft pulley at idle speed and clearly adjust the advance angle.

This is what a strobe looks like, which is convenient for adjusting ignition timing

Important point. The ignition is set in order to ensure that the spark appears in a timely manner and the engine starts, after which additional adjustments will be required. But the latter will not bring you the desired result when there is no compression in the cylinders or problems with the carburetor make themselves felt. If these faults are not eliminated, the engine operation will remain unstable, no matter how you configure the spark generation system.

Hence the conclusion: you can set the ignition correctly at any time, but to set it well - only on a working engine and carburetor.

Replacing the starter relay

Another common problem on VAZ 2107s with a carburetor is a malfunction of the starter relay. When you turn the key in the lock, the system makes a click, but the retractor relay does not operate. Replacing the relay is very simple.

First you need to remove the starter from the relay. Unscrew the 2 bolts that secure it. Slide it to the right and take it out, turning it backwards. Unscrew the nuts securing the starter and relay.

Unscrew the terminal.

Turn it to the side.

Remove the 2 bolts securing the relay to the starter.

Remove the relay.

Install the new one in reverse order.

If you follow these simple steps, your VAZ 2107, which has a carburetor system, will serve you for many more years.

Tuning on carburetor modifications of the VAZ 2107

All old textbooks on servicing classic Zhiguli models describe a method for setting the moment of spark formation using a light bulb, although experienced motorists can easily do without it. You will understand why this happens as you read this material, but for beginners it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the old proven technique.

In order to check the performance of the carburetor or adjust its operation, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the following material:

To correctly set the ignition of the “seven”, you need to ensure that the following conditions are met simultaneously:

• the notch on the crankshaft pulley is opposite the long mark on the timing cover;
• in this case, the round mark marked on the camshaft chain drive gear coincides with the boss on its body;
• the piston of the 4th cylinder has completed the compression stroke and is at top dead center;
• the contacts inside the distributor are open;
• The movable contact of the slider faces the fixed contact on the distributor cover, where the wire from the spark plug of the 4th cylinder is connected.

Note. On non-contact systems, at this moment the Hall sensor sends a signal to the switch to break the low voltage electrical circuit, which leads to the appearance of a high voltage pulse on the wire leading to the spark plug of the 4th cylinder.

The diagram shows what happens in the cylinders when the marks are aligned

The light bulb is used to control the ignition timing, for which it must be connected with one wire to the “K” contact of the high-voltage coil, and with the second to the vehicle ground. You should know that at the same moment the piston of the first cylinder is also in the TDC position, only there the air-fuel mixture is not compressed, but exhaust gases are released after its combustion. This is why ignorant car enthusiasts often confuse the first cylinder with the fourth when installing the ignition.

Layout of marks on the timing cover

When the above actions occur simultaneously, a spark discharge occurs on the electrodes of the spark plug of the 4th cylinder, as evidenced by the flash of the connected light bulb. To achieve these conditions and set the ignition correctly, follow the instructions:

1. Turn the crankshaft with a 36 mm wrench, aligning the notch on the pulley with the long notch on the timing cover.
2. If at this moment the engine valve cover is removed, then it is better to navigate by the mark on the camshaft gear, placing it opposite the housing boss.
3. Take the ignition distributor, remove the cover and turn its shaft to place the slider opposite the wire leading to cylinder No. 4 (there are cylinder number markings on the cover). Insert the distributor into the engine hole, holding the slider and housing in this position, and then secure it with a 13 mm wrench nut.
4. Connect the light bulb wires and turn on the ignition by turning the key. Loosen the nut securing the distributor and slowly turn it by the housing until the lamp flashes, indicating the moment of sparking. Reattach the distributor.
5. Turn off the ignition and make sure that the contacts inside the distributor are currently open. Take a 0.35 mm feeler gauge and check the gap between them, if necessary, adjust it by loosening the fastening screws with a screwdriver.

The marks must be aligned by turning the crankshaft with a wrench

Note. The instructions imply that before starting work the distributor was removed from the engine without aligning the marks.

The ignition is considered to be set correctly if, after installing the distributor cap and connecting the wires, you manage to start the engine, and then you need to adjust the timing. The non-contact system is installed in the same way, with the exception of checking the gap in the contact group due to its absence.

Instructions for replacing the timing chain in a VAZ 2107 car are presented here:

The mark on the camshaft gear is aligned with the boss on the body

Important point. In most cases, the ignition is set without removing the valve cover, which is why the position of the mark on the gear is not visible. You have done everything according to the instructions, but the engine does not start. This means that a spark is supplied to the 4th cylinder during the exhaust stroke, and compression at this moment occurs in the first cylinder. The problem can be solved simply:

• remove the distributor cover;
• unscrew the nut securing it;
• pull the distributor out of the socket, turn the slider exactly 180° and insert the element back;
• Press the distributor skirt with the nut and install the cover.

Advice. If the engine does not start after these steps, but begins to show signs of life, then the problem lies not in the ignition setting, but in a malfunction of one of the system elements.

Photo instructions for setting up

First of all, the marks on the pulley and timing cover are aligned

The distributor is inserted into the hole so that the slider points to cylinder 4

The distributor skirt is pressed against the block with a 13 mm nut

The gap is checked with a feeler gauge with the contacts open

The gap is corrected by unscrewing the 2 screws securing the contact group

The light will light up when a spark appears

Video about correct ignition installation

Instructions for installing a contactless system

The procedure for replacing a mechanical ignition with an electronic one is divided into the following stages:

• selection and purchase of BSZ;
• preparation of tools;
• removing the old system and installing a new one;
• ignition setting.

If you have not previously had to deal with sparking problems in classic Zhiguli models on your own, then you will have to allocate about 3-4 hours for all the work.

Recommendations for selection

The BSZ factory kit for the VAZ 2107, available for sale, includes the following parts:

• switch with catalog number 36.3734 (also available 3620.3734);
• main ignition distributor, marking - 38.37061;
• high-voltage coil, catalog number - 27.3705;
• wiring harnesses with connectors.

BSZ parts from SOATE company

Note : The marking of the distributor is indicated for cars with engines of 1.5 and 1.6 liters. In modifications of the “Seven” with a 1.3 liter engine, the cylinder block is smaller in height and the ignition distributor shaft is shorter. Its catalog number is 38.3706–01.

There is a similar contactless kit on sale, designed for the Russian SUV VAZ 2121 Niva. In it, the distributor is marked as follows: 3810.3706 or 38.3706–10. You should not buy it for the “classics”, since the element differs in technical parameters, although it looks the same in appearance.

Among the manufacturers producing ready-made electronic ignition kits for older VAZ models, the one that has proven itself to be the best is VAZ, whose production is located in Stary Oskol, Russian Federation. Feedback from owners of “classics” about the company’s products is purely positive.

It is recommended to change the spark plugs and wires along with the ignition.

Advice . When planning to set the BSZ to "seven", at the same time replace the spark plugs (brand - A17DVR) and the high-voltage wires to them. They are not included in the delivery package, but they are very useful for stable and economical operation of the engine with the new spark generation system.

What tools will you need?

To install the electronic unit and other elements of the UPS, you will need simple tools available in the garage of any skilled motorist:

• flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers;
• open-end wrenches sizes 8, 10 and 13 mm;
• ordinary pliers;
• a spark plug wrench equipped with a cardan for convenience;
• hand or electric drill with a drill with a diameter of 3-3.5 mm.

From this set you will need keys, screwdrivers and pliers

Note. Using keys, you unscrew the terminals, distributor fastenings and coils. A drill will be needed to make 2 holes for mounting the switch. In some cars you can find ready-made holes designed for mounting electronics; they are located on the left side member (in the direction of travel of the car).

With a 30 mm wrench you can easily turn the crankshaft

It’s good if you manage to find and borrow a special wrench designed to turn the crankshaft of a VAZ 2107 by grabbing the ratchet nut. Another option is to rotate the crankshaft with a regular 30 mm open-end wrench or by turning the suspended rear wheel with 4th gear engaged.

Work on installing and configuring contactless ignition can be carried out in any convenient place, as long as weather conditions permit. Since you don’t need an inspection hole, a flat and well-lit area will do.

Installation of BSZ on a car

Before installing the electronic ignition, you need to remove the old system from the car, proceeding in this order:

1. Lift the hood cover of the "Seven", disconnect the battery from the on-board network and remove the high voltage wires from the spark plugs.
2. Remove the spark plugs and turn the crankshaft to bring the piston of cylinder 1 to top dead center (TDC). A long screwdriver inserted into the spark plug well will help you with this. Make sure that the notch on the crankshaft pulley is opposite the first mark on the cylinder block (it is the longest of the three).
3. Unlock the metal latches of the ignition distributor cover and remove it along with the wires. To be sure, place a mark on the engine valve cover opposite the moving contact of the slider.
4. Disconnect all wires from the distributor and the thin tube that connects it to the fitting on the carburetor. Loosen the nut holding the distributor skirt to the cylinder block and unscrew it. Remove the old distributor, making sure that the gasket is not lost (it is located between it and the block).
5. Disconnect the wires from the contacts of the high-voltage coil and remember where they were connected. Unscrew the coil bracket and remove it from the body.

Disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery

Start installing the BSZ by installing an electronic unit equipped with an aluminum mounting plate with holes (it serves as a cooling element for the device). If there are ready-made holes on the left side member, screw the commutator to them with two self-tapping screws. Otherwise, find a free space near the coil, drill holes and secure the control unit.

Spark plug placement

Advice . Do not place the switch under the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If it leaks, it will flood the delicate electronics and the ignition will stop functioning.

To replace the coil, you need to disconnect the wires and remember their pinout

Install the elements of the contactless system in the following sequence:

1. Take a new distributor, remove the cover from it and put on the gasket. Install it into the socket on the cylinder block so that the movable contact is opposite the chalk mark drawn on the engine valve cover. Lightly press the distributor skirt with the mounting nut to prevent it from accidentally turning.
2. Screw the high voltage coil into the old place (the fastenings are the same). Connect the wires from the ignition switch relay, tachometer and switch to its terminals. The wire coming from contact “1” of the electronic unit is connected to the terminal marked “K” of the coil, and the wire from contact “4” is connected to terminal “B”.
3. Having established a gap of 0.8-0.9 mm between the electrodes of the spark plugs, screw them into the holes of the cylinders. Place the cap on the distributor and connect all the high voltage wires, including the central one leading to the coil. Connect the vacuum tube, after which you can start starting the engine and adjusting the timely spark formation.

The notch is placed opposite the long score

Advice . When installing a high-voltage coil, the terminals are swapped, which causes some inconvenience. The issue is solved by loosening the nut of the mounting clamp and turning the coil body 180°, after which it can be put in place.

Stages of ignition installation in photographs

Position of the slider when the marks are aligned

The switch is attached to the spar with 2 self-tapping screws

Before setting the marks, you need to remove the distributor cap

Checking and adjusting the lead angle

To check whether the ignition is set correctly, just align the marks on the crankshaft pulley and the timing cover. In this case, the slider should be directed to the 4th cylinder, and the contacts should be open. If the slider “looks” towards the first cylinder and the car does not start, then turn it 180° as described above.

To create optimal fuel combustion conditions in the chamber, the flash should occur a little earlier than the piston reaches TDC. There are 3 ways to achieve this:

• when installing the ignition, align the notch on the pulley not with the first long mark, but with the second, indicating an advance angle of 5°;
• determine the amount of advance “by ear” by loosening the nut securing the distributor and turning it by the housing at idle engine speed;
• connect a strobe light to the system, start the engine and by turning the distributor, adjust the position of the notch by pointing the flashing lamp of the device at it.

The advance angle is adjusted by turning the distributor housing

Reference. The second method is most often used by experienced drivers, since it gives a positive result without any instruments. The ignition distributor is turned until the position of the most stable engine operation is found. That is why the use of a light bulb does not play a big role, because the real advance angle at which the engine operates in optimal mode lies in the range of 5-10° and is determined individually in each car experimentally.

Once the settings are complete, press the gas pedal sharply several times. If you can hear the piston pins knocking (a ringing sound is clearly audible from the engine), then the advance angle is too large. Loosen the distributor and turn it 1-2° clockwise, then check again by pressing the accelerator.

Advice. Finger tapping is often heard when you fill with low octane fuel. Then it is necessary to reduce the advance angle so that detonation (which causes knocking) does not destroy the piston group. When using high-quality fuel, the angle should be increased in order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the VAZ 2107.

Adjusting the ignition timing

For subsequent actions, use a 13 key to loosen the fastening nut of the distributor (ignition distributor). Connect one wire from the light bulb (it will act as a voltmeter, that is, indicate the presence of voltage) to the low-voltage terminal that the coil has, the second to ground.

Now turn on the ignition. Slowly and carefully rotate the distributor body clockwise, stopping immediately when the light goes out. The sparks that appear will indicate the moment of ignition. Move the distributor counterclockwise until the contacts are disconnected and the lamp lights up again. Everything is in order, you can safely tighten the distributor, the setup is complete.

How to set the ignition on a VAZ 2107 with an injector?

The ignition system of the “Seven” with direct fuel injection operates under the control of an ECU that receives signals from the following sensors:

• crankshaft position;
• air flow;
• throttle position;
• lambda probe.

Multimeter for checking the ignition module

Based on the readings of these sensors, the controller itself determines the moment of spark formation, so the system is not configured in the usual sense. If any problems occur, the driver can only independently check the functionality of the ignition module, to which the high voltage wires from the cylinders are connected. To do this, you need to take a multimeter (ohmmeter) and perform the following steps:

1. Disconnect all wires from the module.
2. Set the maximum measurement value on the multimeter to 20 kOhm.
3. Measure the resistance between the following pairs of terminals: 1 and 4, 2 and 3.
4. If the measurement results fall outside the range of 3.6-4 kOhm, then the module is faulty and must be replaced.

The seven with an injector has an ignition module, which you can check yourself

Injector

The VAZ 2107 was produced with two types of engines - injection and carburetor. Modifications with a fuel injection unit have a special design and electronic ignition control is not required. The adjustment occurs automatically: the ECU uses sensors to determine the ignition timing and all other details. The participation of car owners in this procedure is limited to aligning the timing chain or belt using marks.

If problems arise with the electronic ignition of a Lada 2107 on an injection engine, it is necessary to flush the injector and replace the failed components.

Adjusting the ignition on the VAZ 2107 injector.

Video on checking the ignition module

It is important to set the ignition correctly after disassembling the power unit or removing the distributor without fixing the marks, otherwise you will not be able to start the car. This task is quite simple and does not require any deep knowledge or special tools. The main thing is to understand that a spark should appear in the 4th cylinder during the compression stroke and to catch this moment, acting according to the instructions.

• Author: Sergey Sergeev
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How does the ignition system work?

The standard ignition system consists of the following components:

1. High voltage coil;
2. Cables;
3. Candles;
4. Breaker;
5. Switch and Hall sensor (if it is contactless);
6. Distributor;

During operation, a low voltage current is applied to the primary winding of the coil and creates a magnetic field, through which it creates a high voltage current on the secondary winding. By means of a distributor and a breaker, the impulse is distributed to the desired spark plug.

BSZ uses the operation of a commutator and a Hall sensor, which transmit energy taking into account the number of revolutions of the distributor. The electronic ignition switch distributes currents more efficiently. Its advantages are that there is no need to clean the contacts and it makes it easier to start the engine in the cold season.

Unlike a carburetor, an injection system uses an ignition module to distribute energy, the operation of which is adjusted by the ECU, which fixes the position of the crankshaft at top dead center. This is why there is no need for adjustment.

Is there a difference between contact and electronic ignition?

On carburetor VAZ 2107, both an electronic and a contact device were installed. The adjustment process is no different. The only difference may be that before setting the marks, it is necessary to clean the contacts on the contact breaker and check the gap so that the system can be adjusted more accurately.

By the way, many people mistakenly call the switch the ignition relay. This relay is only a way to reduce the inrush current and is designed to preserve the life of the contacts. This relay is located in the engine compartment. The ignition setting does not apply to it.

This is how you can adjust the ignition on a carburetor VAZ 2107. Good luck on the roads!

Vehicle dynamics, fuel consumption, exhaust toxicity and starting reliability on a carburetor “seven” depend on the correct setting of the ignition timing. The outdated “contact” system requires periodic maintenance and adjustment. Ignition adjustment on a VAZ 2107 with an injection engine equipped with a contactless ignition system is not required. But owners of outdated modifications of the VAZ 2107 have to go to a service station for adjustments or perform the operation themselves. This is not difficult to do.