Pertronix on AQ125 help

Status
Not open for further replies.
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,744
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

This is what I would do next.

1) rotate you engine to TDC on compression stroke so that rotor is pointing to #1 spark plug.

2)Put the cap back on and loosen the distributor hold down bolt.

3) Take the coil wire off of the distributor and place it near ground.

4) rotate the distributor in both directions until you find the point where you get a spark. This is where your distributor needs to be sitting to fire at TDC. You will obviously have to rotate it more to get the proper setting with the specified advance. Once it sparks once, you can wiggle it around at that location and see your spark.

That should at least get you in the ball park.

You have the magnetic sleeve in the proper orientation? There is a specification for gap between the magnet sleeve and the pickup unit.
 
A

Aloysius

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2010
Messages
484
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

The pertinent question HASN'T been answered..what is the voltage when CRANKING? It isn't 12 volts...that's what it is when it's sitting still. Cranking drops the voltage! If the Pertronix unit doesn't see 10 volts, it won't work.
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Aloysius said:
The pertinent question HASN'T been answered..what is the voltage when CRANKING? It isn't 12 volts...that's what it is when it's sitting still. Cranking drops the voltage! If the Pertronix unit doesn't see 10 volts, it won't work.
Click to expand...

so when I put the jumper wire straight to the battery to the petronix it isnt getting 12v from a 12v battery?
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Bubba1235 said:
It really sounds like you installed the distributor 180 degrees out of time. It is VERY EASY TO DO!!! Been there, done that, way more times than I want to admit...
Click to expand...


Well, since the distributor has never come out of the block I dont see how thats possible. I took the cap and rotor off, took out the points, put in the pertronix parts, put cap and rotor back on, wired it up, now it wont run.
 
A

Aloysius

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2010
Messages
484
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Not sure about this application, but many older bosch/volvo distributors are driven by an offset key arrangement like an air cooled volkswagen, and can only be installed one way. The distributor housing can turn and change timing, but the actual drive won't change.
 
mcleaves

mcleaves

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 15, 2003
Messages
521
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

JohnVH said:
Well, since the distributor has never come out of the block I dont see how thats possible. I took the cap and rotor off, took out the points, put in the pertronix parts, put cap and rotor back on, wired it up, now it wont run.
Click to expand...

The pertronix kits are known to change the timing a bit, at least on these engines If that's the case you won't be out 180, you will be off a couple teeth. When you try to fire are you getting your best 'sounds" with the dizzy all the way over to one side? If so that's a smoking gun IMO.

Again, if it was running before it's either timing or spark. I didn't see whether or not you replaced the coil, but if not then the old coil could have enough spark to drive the points but not the electronics (I apologize if this was mentioned before)
 
mcleaves

mcleaves

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 15, 2003
Messages
521
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Actually one more thing. I just skimmed the thread and didn't see any mention about whether or not you pull the spark plug wires off at any time during this process. If you did, AND you are using the Seloc or Clymer manual to put them back, one of them has the rotation BACKWARDS!. Don't ask me how I know.

Just another thought
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Yes, it seems closest to running all the way counter clockwise with the distributor. Im going to jump a tooth tonight to see if I can get it better.


Nope, never took out the distributor or removed any plug wires, nothing was removed but the points only.
 
thumpar

thumpar

Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Are you sure the wires are on in the right order?
 
A

Aloysius

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2010
Messages
484
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

I've got 2 pertronix units. They must be installed correctly with the coil polarity correct and adequate voltage to the unit when cranking. Been there, done that. Cranking voltage drops to 10 volts, no/erratic spark.
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Aloysius said:
I've got 2 pertronix units. They must be installed correctly with the coil polarity correct and adequate voltage to the unit when cranking. Been there, done that. Cranking voltage drops to 10 volts, no/erratic spark.
Click to expand...

Ok, so whats your tip? I run a 12v wire straight off the battery to the pertronix and no change, what else can be done.
 
A

Aloysius

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2010
Messages
484
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

You haven't indicated what the voltage was when cranking the engine. Voltage fluctuates with load. Just because you have 12 volts at the battery doesn't mean you have 12 volts at the coil when a cranking load is imposed.
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Aloysius said:
You haven't indicated what the voltage was when cranking the engine. Voltage fluctuates with load. Just because you have 12 volts at the battery doesn't mean you have 12 volts at the coil when a cranking load is imposed.
Click to expand...

I will have an answer for you on that in 2hrs. Got the voltmeter on my desk to take home with me.

If a straight wire to the battery doesnt give me enough voltage for the ignitor, they need to redesign the thing so it isnt so fussy.
 
A

Aloysius

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2010
Messages
484
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

It has nothing to do with the wire to the coil/module, it has everything to do with the size and condition of the battery, the condition of the starter, the condition of the battery wires and connections.
 
J

JohnVH

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Messages
72
Re: Pertronix on AQ125 help

Ok, well, Ill test that, anywhere specific you want me to check it? At the batt? At the coil?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top