Ti ignition problems
11-09-2017, 10:15 PM
#101
Have you tried pulling the coil wire out of the distributor cap, and placing the end near a ground so that you can look for a spark while cranking?This would supply some information on where the problem might be.
Also do you have access to a couple simple parts like resistors and LEDs? I was thinking you could disconnect the coil C+ wire and have the module drive the LED instead of the coil, and you could do some cranking (or just momentarily shorting the white/green (?) distributor lead to see if the module correctly shuts off the current to the LED.
The TI system is very simple compared to later ignitions. It's easy to do some simple test debugging on it.
Also do you have access to a couple simple parts like resistors and LEDs? I was thinking you could disconnect the coil C+ wire and have the module drive the LED instead of the coil, and you could do some cranking (or just momentarily shorting the white/green (?) distributor lead to see if the module correctly shuts off the current to the LED.
The TI system is very simple compared to later ignitions. It's easy to do some simple test debugging on it.
So, I pulled the distributor wire and placed it next to ground and had the wife turn the key. A small spark at the beginning of crank and a small spark when the key was released was the result. Any Ideas? Sounds like the amplifier to me, how about you?
11-10-2017, 10:27 AM
#102
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Just asking, because I remember a thread a couple years ago where a poster was having starting issues and there was a problem with his ignition switch (at the bottom of the column) doing funky things.
This might not be the/an issue, but just nice to know for everybody here so we can all eliminate one variable.
11-10-2017, 01:30 PM
#103
Drifting
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By "disconnecting" the wire from the starter to the TI harness, I would get good spark while cranking.
As I said before, this makes no sense at all, however it fixed that problem.
The only thing I did a while later was put a relay in the +12 ign feed.
Used the pink ign feed to pick/energize the relay, and the relay connected main power from the horn bus to the TI ign wire.
This gave a higher voltage to the TI while cranking.
The starter to TI wire remains disconnected and starting has never been this good.
Last edited by Barry's70LT1; 11-10-2017 at 01:32 PM.
11-10-2017, 07:37 PM
#104
Quick question just to refresh my memory. Are you getting voltage to the module during cranking? The small sparks at the start and end of cranking are possible if the supply voltage to the module & coil is toggling off and on when the ignition switch is moved from ON->CRANK->ON.
Just asking, because I remember a thread a couple years ago where a poster was having starting issues and there was a problem with his ignition switch (at the bottom of the column) doing funky things.
This might not be the/an issue, but just nice to know for everybody here so we can all eliminate one variable.
Just asking, because I remember a thread a couple years ago where a poster was having starting issues and there was a problem with his ignition switch (at the bottom of the column) doing funky things.
This might not be the/an issue, but just nice to know for everybody here so we can all eliminate one variable.
11-10-2017, 10:47 PM
#105
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I'm not following what you mean by "what is coming back from the amplifier that is deficient".
11-11-2017, 08:48 AM
#106
Unplugging the module will tell us if there's a voltage source connected during cranking, but it doesn't tell us if the source is the ignition switch (through the harness ballast resistance) or if it's the low/zero resistance 12v feed from the starter solenoid. We need to somehow read the voltage at the module (while connected to the harness) during cranking.
I'm not following what you mean by "what is coming back from the amplifier that is deficient".
I'm not following what you mean by "what is coming back from the amplifier that is deficient".
Remember in the previous post that we determined that the ignition wire was resisted. I have not taken the dash apart yet to get to the ignition terminal to run a dedicated non-resisted wire. This measurement of voltage is while having a jumper wire from the horn relay (constant 12.4v) to the TI harness white wire. It should be unaffected by the ignition switch correct?
11-11-2017, 10:12 AM
#107
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69427,
Remember in the previous post that we determined that the ignition wire was resisted. I have not taken the dash apart yet to get to the ignition terminal to run a dedicated non-resisted wire. This measurement of voltage is while having a jumper wire from the horn relay (constant 12.4v) to the TI harness white wire. It should be unaffected by the ignition switch correct?
Remember in the previous post that we determined that the ignition wire was resisted. I have not taken the dash apart yet to get to the ignition terminal to run a dedicated non-resisted wire. This measurement of voltage is while having a jumper wire from the horn relay (constant 12.4v) to the TI harness white wire. It should be unaffected by the ignition switch correct?
Refresh my memory. Have you done any cranking/starting attempts with the horn relay jumper wire hooked up? (Remember that the engine might not shut off with the jumper wire attached.)
I'm just trying to eventually get to a test where we can figure out if it's a voltage issue, a module issue, or a distributor sensor waveform issue.
11-12-2017, 12:47 PM
#108
Instructor
Hey just a thought ,
double check the main plug going to the amplifier I’ve read that it’s possible when your pushing it into the amplifier the that the interior connection can’t push in and you will not make the connection thinking you did.. Good Luck keep us posted
double check the main plug going to the amplifier I’ve read that it’s possible when your pushing it into the amplifier the that the interior connection can’t push in and you will not make the connection thinking you did.. Good Luck keep us posted
11-13-2017, 05:33 AM
#109
Melting Slicks
TI module should have a pigtail harness with the connector located somewhere near the generator. Make sure none of the terminals on the harness can touch the bottom of the cover for the amplifier.
11-15-2017, 11:14 PM
#110
Well gentlemen, thank you so much for your help. I have installed a HEI module in a similar fashion to the photos in the previous post and the car fired right up and runs great. I feel a bit defeated not being able to get to the bottom of the TI but enough time and money have been spent. Thank you all for the advice and I think this thread will be a great assistance to TI troubleshooters in the future.
11-16-2017, 12:26 AM
#111
Drifting
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Well gentlemen, thank you so much for your help. I have installed a HEI module in a similar fashion to the photos in the previous post and the car fired right up and runs great. I feel a bit defeated not being able to get to the bottom of the TI but enough time and money have been spent. Thank you all for the advice and I think this thread will be a great assistance to TI troubleshooters in the future.
11-16-2017, 03:25 PM
#112
Le Mans Master
Glad you got it running. I predict it will only be a matter of time before is starts bugging you and you'll go back at it.