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pertronix ignition problems, I think

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by iamgeer, Jun 24, 2004.

  1. Jun 24, 2004
    iamgeer

    iamgeer Member

    Calgary,...
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2004
    Messages:
    226
    I suspect that I am having problems with my pertronix ignition. The other day the jeep quit running and would not start afterwards. It seems as though the jeep has some sense of dignitity because it stopped running while trying to back into my garage - no middle of the intersection scenarios for this jeep. At first I thought that it was no problem as I rewired a little to install a pertronix breakerless ignition and flamethower coil and one of the connectors had been giving me grief because I did not have the correct length spade connector and it would vibrate loose ocassionally. I popped the hood and made sure that the connector was connecting and attempted to start the jeep and was not successfull. I checked if the coil was getting 12V, and it is. I checked resistance across the coil and I get 1.5 ohms from + to -. I get 13kohm across the discharge side and + or -. I get 12V across + and - with the ignition on, but I am not sure what that means.
    These results imply to me that the coil is good, but I am not sure if this is a valid check. I have not checked for spark explicitly, it just isn't firing and there is fuel so I am assuming that there is no spark. So after all that dialogue here is my question: how do check the Hall effect pickup and magnet assembly to be sure that it is doing its job. BTW, I realize that by deduction if there is voltage to the coil, and if the coil is good, and if there is no spark then is has to be the pertronix ignition. The problem is that I have never heard of anyone having a problem like this with a pertronix ignition. Any help would be aprreciated.

    BTW, the engine is a 304 with the original delco/remy distributor housing.
     
  2. Jun 24, 2004
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I fried a pertronix ignition module once. Wired a hot wire direct to ground on some aux. rear lights (it was late :rofl:)
    Fried the switch, the Ammeter, the fusible link, and the hall-effect sensor. Had to buy a new one.
    I have no idea how to test, except check for spark going into the dist. If OK, then check for spark coming out. If none, then there's only two (relatively normal) things that can go wrong: the rotor/cap could be bad, or the sensor. Nothing can go wrong with the magnet ring.
    How old is the unit? As long as you didn't short it out like I did, they used to have a 30-month warranty.

    HTH Karl, let us know... good luck!
     
  3. Jun 24, 2004
    iamgeer

    iamgeer Member

    Calgary,...
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2004
    Messages:
    226
    The unit is only a few months old. If my logic is OK, then it could only be the hall effect sensor. It might have been damaged if the spade lug connecting/disconnecting caused a voltage spike. Not sure yet. I plan on doing a little more investigation tonight.

    Karl
     
  4. Jun 24, 2004
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Karl, there may be a simple way to check with a VOM; call Pertronix and ask them...
     
  5. Jul 6, 2004
    iamgeer

    iamgeer Member

    Calgary,...
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2004
    Messages:
    226
    All,
    Well I finally got some time to fix the Jeep. I started by working from the plugs back and found that ocassionaly I could get spark from the coil but not to the plugs. This is what made me think that the pertronix ignition was acting up. It turns out that the true culprit was the rotor. There was the smallest little track on the inside bottom of the rotor, just below the rivet that holds the contact for the distributor cap. At first I thought that it was just a flaw in the molding and not tracking. Anyway, I got a new rotor and cap, and an extra rotor and cap to keep in my off road tool box. BTW, I called pertronix and they asked me to send it back with a brief note explaining what is wrong and they will send a new one. I did not have to send it back though. Thanks for your advice guys. 1 month left to Jeep Jamboree and I get my new lift kit anyday.

    Karl
     
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