Pertronix Ignitor 111 troubleshooting

-
philcollins

philcollins

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
403
Reaction score
136
Location
Saint-Simon N.B., Canada
My car was running great but today, it wouldn't restart. Didn't touch anything. No spark to the sparkplug. 12 v at coil. So it may be the Ignitor 111 module that's shot. How could i check that module? I want to be sure before buying a new one?
 
Did you check for 12V WHEN CRANKING? That is a different circuit.

Not much to check......

Pull the cap and check the insides, for dirt, junk, wear, rubbing, physical damage. Make sure the distributor is actually turning with the starter

You MAY be able to check the ignitor somewhat, do you have a tach? Does it show RPM when cranking? Try a test lamp on the coil NEG. Crank and see if it blinks on/ off or bright/ dim. That would suggest coil not ignitior

After that it's a tossup........try a different coil or different ignitor, whichever is cheaper/ easier
 
Also check distributor body is grounded. It needs ground, loss of ground can fail unit when in operation. I run ground from distributor to engine, to insure ground when adjusting timing. The distributor o-ring, and loose hold down on anodized distributor body, may result on ground loss. This is my experience with early Pertronix, with certainty on T1 VW.
 
67Dart273 said:
Did you check for 12V WHEN CRANKING? That is a different circuit.

Not much to check......

Pull the cap and check the insides, for dirt, junk, wear, rubbing, physical damage. Make sure the distributor is actually turning with the starter

You MAY be able to check the ignitor somewhat, do you have a tach? Does it show RPM when cranking? Try a test lamp on the coil NEG. Crank and see if it blinks on/ off or bright/ dim. That would suggest coil not ignitior

After that it's a tossup........try a different coil or different ignitor, whichever is cheaper/ easier
Click to expand...
 
Checked cap, rotor etc. Everything is like new. Onle have 1100 miles on setup. Good ground, 12 v when cranking, no pluse or blinking when cranking.
Doesn't show any rpm when cranking. Check my 1972 Satellite, doesn't show RPM when cranking.

Change the coil with a good use one. Nothing.
 
I'd say "new one." Many have used those very successfully, my problem with them is that most parts stores don't carry them, so "troubles" you really need to buy TWO.......One for a spare.

I would have thought you could "see" the coil NEG pulsing (on your running car)
 
Typically the transistor that pulls the coil -, to ground, fails shorted, so the coil -, will be at about a volt or less with ignition on, for a failed unit. If the - coil terminal is stuck low, ( bad unit, wiring short, or tach wire short to ground), no spark happens. A simple test, remove tach wire and test again.

The short on transistor can also be measured as low Ohms between black lead and ground, not powered or connected to coil.
 
KitCarlson said:
Typically the transistor that pulls the coil -, to ground, fails shorted, so the coil -, will be at about a volt or less with ignition on, for a failed unit. If the - coil terminal is stuck low, ( bad unit, wiring short, or tach wire short to ground), no spark happens. A simple test, remove tach wire and test again.

The short on transistor can also be measured as low Ohms between black lead and ground, not powered or connected to coil.
Click to expand...
Will try
 
I don't know why the tach would not, maybe it was damaged in the failure, somehow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top