Ignition/start problem

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: skou1234  (Original Message)
Sent: 8/30/2005 10:34 PM

unit started up on first crank now nothing 5 minutes later. Fuel ok, approx 10 volts to positive side of coil while cranking. Timing light flashes only when turning off ignition otherwise, no flashes. Where do I start? pickup unit in Dist?Module?

Les



From: denison
Sent: 8/31/2005 6:42 AM

Likely suspects would include the ignition module, but also the ignition coil, the ignition resistor, and the pickup coil inside the distributor. It might even be a shorted out rotor, or bad wire/connection between the distributor and ignition module. That’s in descending order of what I would think is likely for electronic ignition. If it’s the ignition module it might work okay again after it has cooled down.
If you want to do a little work you can test the ignition without cranking the engine. You have to pull the distributor partly out of the hole, so you can spin the rotor with your fingers. With the high tension wire from the distributor laying close to some metal on the manifold, and the ignition on, you should see a nice display of blue spark when you spin the distributor shaft, and flashes from the timing light if you have it on/around that high tension wire. With the electronic ignition Im not sure the distributor even needs to be grounded. Its very unlikely that the distributor isnt turning or that the rotor isnt turning inside the cap; but things do happen. As one poster advised - don’t assume anything is okay, especially with a vintage vehicle.



From: skou1234
Sent: 8/31/2005 9:29 AM

It was the module....I had a spare one....thanks

les