Pertronix Ignition: Help Me with Advice or sh*t on the product instead, both are welcome

Discussion in 'Wrenchin' Secrets' started by johnriv67, Feb 27, 2018.

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  1. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Yes, crank it over with the timing light and see if you get spark. Do you have some one helping?
     
    BuickV8Mike, Mar 3, 2018
    #21
  2. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    I also run a temporary wire from the battery (+) to the coil (+) when doing this kind of troubleshooting at times. Just don't leave it on too long between attempts.
     
    BuickV8Mike, Mar 3, 2018
    #22
  3. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Too bad Im not closer, I would even waive my standard diagnostic fee of a 12 pack for you. This shouldn't be too hard to figure out if we clear our heads and get back to basics here- spark compression timing and fuel- if you have all three, thee is no reason why the engine should not run.

    These are troubleshooting roadmaps from the Buick dealership line tech book (different from the service manual). These troubleshooting roadmaps are so helpful, Im surprised they didn't include them in the service manual

    KIMG1057.JPG


    KIMG1058.JPG

    KIMG1059.JPG

    KIMG1060.JPG

    KIMG1061.JPG
     
    CJay, Mar 3, 2018
    #23
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    John, Are you close to Monroe CT?
     
    LARRY70GS, Mar 3, 2018
    #24
  5. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I'd still like him to do the cork test to triple check the distributor is in right
     
    CJay, Mar 3, 2018
    #25
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    X2, but I'm not convinced he is getting spark at all. Running 12 volts direct from the battery should produce spark, even if it is out of time. If not, then the Pertronix is defective out of the box. I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time for that.
     
    LARRY70GS, Mar 3, 2018
    #26
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Another thought, when you put the points back in, you really need to re-adjust them. They never seem to regain the same gap.
     
    CJay, Mar 3, 2018
    #27
    BYoung likes this.
  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes, and I have also seen guys attach the two leads to the points in such a way that one of the leads contacts the base plate. Result, no spark. Not sure of the OP's level of experience, but he is 18 and working on a car that was produced 33 years before he was born.:). Wonder where in CT he is? If he is near Carl, we can get this diagnosed pretty quick, or we could do a road trip. You up for that Jason?:D
     
    LARRY70GS, Mar 3, 2018
    #28
    johnriv67 likes this.
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Have tools, will travel.
     
    CJay, Mar 3, 2018
    #29
    johnriv67 likes this.
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    :D:D Lets see where he lives.
     
    LARRY70GS, Mar 3, 2018
    #30
  11. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    I'm running the Pertronix in 2 of my cars. It's been in my 442 for like 15 years at least, no problems at all with either of them.
     
    mrolds69, Mar 3, 2018
    #31
  12. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Phew guys thank you for all the responses. After digging to China with nothing but a rusty spoon, learning how to waterski on an ice skate, and watching pigs fly, I got it running with points again. My coil is backwards-marked, Positive is negative and negative is positive.

    Idling at 10* initial and 750 rpm on my brand new tach! Pertronix must have sent me one with a dead short or some other electric terminology, because I got the car running with points, to see if I was insane, then threw the pertronix back in and nothing at all happened. It would crank until the starter blew and the battery died(didnt do it, but could have), and no spark. It going back in the shitty box it came in. On another note this car is not going anywhere fast because I currently have no brake pedal pressure(always something)

    Also I'm in Simsbury,CT. about 2 minutes from the high school
     
    johnriv67, Mar 4, 2018
    #32
  13. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Thank you all for all the help, this page is excellent. And Larry that fact about my age and the age of the car hit me with a wave of perspective:D

    And maybe I should change my profile picture, being on a trailer and all. I think it tempts fate
     
    johnriv67, Mar 4, 2018
    #33
    magic marouke likes this.
  14. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Wow, who would of guessed about the coil!!
     
    CJay, Mar 4, 2018
    #34
  15. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    It was factory stamped incorrectly, or the top cap of the coil was "180 out" for lack of a better term
     
    johnriv67, Mar 4, 2018
    #35
  16. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Totally bananas

    If you reversed the connections on the coil, you may have cooked the Pertronix.

    Hope the vendor will replace it.

    There is a lot of things "going on" when working on cars, we have all "done something..."

    But your learning good things! :)
     
    TrunkMonkey, Mar 4, 2018
    #36
  17. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I would just send it back with a note saying "it don't work":p. I would probably leave out the part about why it potentially doesn't work :D I think the less said the better. Its not like your lying

    I think everyone has gone through the "sanity checks" when working on these cars. Look at the bright side, you got a crash course in ignition systems. Now your an expert!
     
    CJay, Mar 4, 2018
    #37
  18. 70skylark350

    70skylark350 Jesus loves you unconditionally

    yes you cooked it, I did the same thing one time with my XR-I points eliminator. Give the Crane XR-I a shot if they don't replace the Pertronix unit, very happy with mine. simple to install.
     
    70skylark350, Mar 4, 2018
    #38
  19. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Glad you figured it all out.

    I had bad luck with the magnet wheel on those 1181 models. I got the Ignitor III when I had my bodywork done, and it's been flawless ever since I put it in.

    I have a NOS distributor with new Ignitor III module sitting in a box when/if my original distributor goes out (gear is a little worn) to swap in.
     
    lemmy-67, Mar 6, 2018
    #39
  20. PaulGS

    PaulGS Well-Known Member

    If you leave the key on without the engine running for any length of time, the Pertronix will burn up.
     
    PaulGS, Mar 6, 2018
    #40
    magic marouke likes this.
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