Pertronix issue or ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
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From: Enola PA
Pertronix issue or ?
I am going to call CA this morning and ask for some tech assistance from Pertronix... I started my engine for the first time on Friday... it's alive it runs... or well, it did... I went to fire it up last night for some friends and nothin... I lifted the distributor cap and noticed my positive wire off the Pertronix pick up going to my 12 V power source (Coil) had gotten pinched and is bare wire on the side of the distributor. Could this cause the ignitor to fail? I clearly have fuel, but the engine does not even want to fire. Thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
Perhaps your power source wire has been grounded and some fuse has just blown...
This shouldn't fry your module. But if you ground the module output wire ( the one going to the coil ), that's quite another matter...
Did you check if your Pertronix still has +12V on the ignition module when you turn the key ?
If not, look for a blown fuse under the dashboard.
This shouldn't fry your module. But if you ground the module output wire ( the one going to the coil ), that's quite another matter...
Did you check if your Pertronix still has +12V on the ignition module when you turn the key ?
If not, look for a blown fuse under the dashboard.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jul 5, 2010 at 07:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
The red wire from the module is the wire I feel got grounded. (bare wires against the distributon pinched between the cap and dist) I have not checked to see if I have 12V at the ignition module... honestly I know enought about electrical to be DANGEROUS, so I am not sure how to check that...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
So, I suppose you didn't install the distributor yourself ?
First isolate the culprit wire ( or supposed to be ) with electrical tape.
Question is : Do you have a multimeter and do you know how to use it ?
If you have a multimeter, first check ignition fuse under the dashboard ( driver side, on the left ). It should be named "IGN" if I recall correctly.
Even if you don't have a multimeter, remove the fuse and look at it.
It is generally visually obvious when a fuse is blown or not.
First isolate the culprit wire ( or supposed to be ) with electrical tape.
Question is : Do you have a multimeter and do you know how to use it ?
If you have a multimeter, first check ignition fuse under the dashboard ( driver side, on the left ). It should be named "IGN" if I recall correctly.
Even if you don't have a multimeter, remove the fuse and look at it.
It is generally visually obvious when a fuse is blown or not.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jul 5, 2010 at 10:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
Thanks for the Help, Wire is safely taped up and yep I have a Multi Meter... as for knowing how to use it, well...
With the key on, checking at the "coil" with the wires connected I have voltage and the fuse is good.
With the key on, checking at the "coil" with the wires connected I have voltage and the fuse is good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
So, the module should work, except if it's fried...
One more thing you can try now, is if you get sparks or not.
Remove the spark wire terminal on the center plug of the distributor. This wire comes from the high voltage terminal of the coil.
Using adhesive tape, tie the wire near an engine ground, but don't let the metal crimp touch the ground. ( about 1/2" distance is perfect ).
Now have someone crank the engine for a few seconds and see if you get sparks between the wire and the ground.
It's much easier to see it when it's dark. If you see nothing, the module is likely bad... or the coil
One more thing you can try now, is if you get sparks or not.
Remove the spark wire terminal on the center plug of the distributor. This wire comes from the high voltage terminal of the coil.
Using adhesive tape, tie the wire near an engine ground, but don't let the metal crimp touch the ground. ( about 1/2" distance is perfect ).
Now have someone crank the engine for a few seconds and see if you get sparks between the wire and the ground.
It's much easier to see it when it's dark. If you see nothing, the module is likely bad... or the coil
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jul 5, 2010 at 11:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Enola PA
Wierd... I pulled the number one plug, it had plenty of spark and the car actually tried to fire. I put the plug back in and she fired right up... this is crazy... I didn't change anything. Last night it would not even try to fire, today it started right up... I hope this is not a sign of things to come...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
That's good news ! That means both your module and coil are working ! 
I just think that when you tried it yesterday the faulty wire was grounded.
It didn't blow the fuse probably because of the coil ballast resistor or because of the +12V ignition wire internal resistance.
Now if the wire is safely taped up, you shouldn't have any more issues.
Good luck !
I just think that when you tried it yesterday the faulty wire was grounded.
It didn't blow the fuse probably because of the coil ballast resistor or because of the +12V ignition wire internal resistance.
Now if the wire is safely taped up, you shouldn't have any more issues.
Good luck !
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jul 6, 2010 at 01:07 AM.
