cory33625

hey guys i got a puzzling problem for you to try and figure out. on my 1982 22R 4wd pickup, i had a miss whiel driving the other day, a few seconds later it died and wouldnt start again. took it to my buds house, removed the dist cap and the signal generator magnet's screws had stripped and it basically fell apart. it was under warranty so its replaced and gapped within spec and checks out on the ohm meter. i also replaced the ignition module and coil. i have done the HEI chevy module/coil conversion and its been running near perfectly for about 6 months, some trouble starting here and there lately but im guessing this is due to the magnetic pickup failing. i expected to replace the magnetic pickup and it start right up but no. it just cranks and cranks. no spark at all from the coil. i got 12V at the coil and the coil-side of the module, but only 1.5V at the signal generator side of the module, should this be 12 V as well? all grounds are good and parts are all new, why am i getting no coil spark?

thanks
cory

cory33625

ok got it running, just needed to jump it and crank it longer. can a crappy wal mart economy battery have an effect on the ignition system and cause it to not be able to spark and start up?

cory33625

ok i think it is the battery. ive put the correct coil on (accell 140008 with .5 ohm input resistance) and it will start but only with a jump from another car. when jumping it, the motor spins faster as well.

can a dying battery give enough "juice" to spin the motor but not fire the spark (or at least get it hot enough to lite the gas)?

Brenjen

I'd use Toyota parts instead of modding the ignition myself & the battery may be bad but Wal-Mart actually had an Everstart that scored best in independent testing not long ago.

Maybe your modifications have caused the need for more cranking amps than the Toyota was designed for? Try a going to Autozone & having the battery & the alternator tested. If they test ok you might try doing the "big 3" mod & checking all your grounds.

cory33625

ya the battery is the ECONOMY one from either walmart or advance auto, im not sure but its old, > 1 year for sure and ive accidentally rapidly discharged it a couple times (wrench touching positive term., grounding pos term w/ign on which burned thru the main cable, etc) so im thinking that may be the prob. another battery jumping it sure makes it start nicely. i already got the GM parts on it and they are all under warranty for a year or so or even maybe lifetime, idk. it runs great other than the starting prob. it does lightly pop some and smell rich tho, maybe the weak battery isnt enough for a real hot spark like it should be. is there a way to find out the amps the battery is putting out?

Brenjen

yeah, have autozone test it.

If you've shorted the battery before it's probably screwed & more than likely is your problem. I'd check all the grounds for sure since they tend to heat up when you short a battery like that & then afterwards they'll corrode pretty quickly.

That's my .02

cory33625

ok ill check those too