Mallory ignition 50% broken

I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that the
Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible distributor
shaft play.
Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o

I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead miss.
(No spark to one of the cylinders)
I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to life.


let us know what you find!
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)


"Bill Spiliotopoulos" <vspili.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:g1h13m$pvg$1@ulysses.noc.ntua.gr...
>
> "john" <x.TakeThisOut@x.net> wrote in message
> news:wI-dndMgsKOO-aXVnZ2dnUVZ_hninZ2d@supernews.com...
>> The new Mallory distributor with igntion bugged out after < 100 miles on
>> it.
>> Fires only #1 and #2 cylinders.
>> Left bank is dead. No spark.
>> I've got the proper coil, it's wired right.
>> And yes, the wires are in the proper order.
>>
>> What could cause a failure of only two beats? There's not dirt in there,
>> nothing to block the optical trigger. Has it programmed itself or
>> something?
>>
>>
>>
>
> That sounds very strange, I don't think it's a problem with the
> distributor. It would either work or not.
> It must be something else.
> Anyway, you can check the distributor this way:
>
> Disconnect the distributor wire that goes to the coil.
>
> Connect a 5W light bulb between +12V and the distributor points wire.
>
> Turn ignition on, to power the distributor electronics.
>
> Rotate the crank, or lift the distributor a bit and rotate it by hand.
> The lamp should switch on and of 4 times per distributor shaft revolution.
>
>
> How did you check for spark on #3 and #4?
>
>
> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
> '67 Bug.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

"dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam DeleteThis @pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that the
>Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
> distributor shaft play.
> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>
> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead miss.
> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to life.
>

Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
constantly on.

Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and there
was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.

Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with the
Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing forward, and #1
is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you cannot
install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset. (Yep, I made
sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil aperture (slot) in the
case.) There has been no change in position, IOW, the clamp is good. And it
was running very nicely, then I parked it, and the next morning it was
half-dead. Strange.

I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case of
electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I am
almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of gas in
the thing.
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

Silly question, but could the #3 and #4 plug wires be reversed? If so,
neither one will be firing at the correct time ...

"john" <x RemoveThis @x.net> wrote in message
news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam RemoveThis @pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>> distributor shaft play.
>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>
>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead miss.
>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>> life.
>
> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
> constantly on.
>
> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>
> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing forward,
> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>
> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case of
> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I
> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of gas
> in the thing.
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

On Wed, 28 May 2008 01:39:21 +0200, Erik Dillenkofer
<lifeguard1974.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Silly question, but could the #3 and #4 plug wires be reversed? If so,
> neither one will be firing at the correct time ...

Or could the wires be faulty? Does happen, but two at the same times would
be rare.
Sounds like a circuit error in the Unilite electronics.

J.

>
> "john" <x.DeleteThis@x.net> wrote in message
> news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>>
>> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam.DeleteThis@pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>> I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>> the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>>> distributor shaft play.
>>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>>
>>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead
>>> miss.
>>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>>> life.
>>
>> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
>> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
>> constantly on.
>>
>> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
>> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
>> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>>
>> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
>> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing
>> forward,
>> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
>> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
>> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
>> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
>> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
>> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>>
>> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case
>> of
>> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I
>> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of
>> gas
>> in the thing.
>>
>>
>>
>
>



--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

"Erik Dillenkofer" <lifeguard1974.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:i6OdnQQaduw0BqHVnZ2dnUVZ_iydnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Silly question, but could the #3 and #4 plug wires be reversed? If so,
> neither one will be firing at the correct time ...

It's always ok to ask. No, they aren't reversed.
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

The distributor electronic module works correctly. If it sparks for one
cylinder, it will spark for all. This module recognizes slots, not
cylinders. It will create a spark each time it detects a slot.
Remove the rotor, which has the disk with the slots for the optical pickup,
and check that the electronic module has not come lose and that the wires
are not rubbing against the rotor disk. Reinstall the rotor seated properly
all the way in, so that it can interrupt the light beam of the detector. The
rotor has a very firm fit, and you must be carefull not to break it. For the
same reason it might not be seated all the way in.
Also check that the distributor is fully engaged to the distributor shaft in
the engine case.

The "Remove spark plug wires / no difference in sound" trick, doesn't tell
you you have no spark, it tells you that those cylinders are not firing.
This could happen for many reasons. E.g. due to a vacum leak or clogged idle
circuit in a carb, or short-circuited spark plugs.

When you pull the throttle and the engine revs to about 3000rpm does it make
a difference in sound when you remove the spark plug wires?
If it does, it is a carb related or vacum leak problem.

Regards,
Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'67 Bug.

Ï "john" <x RemoveThis @x.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam RemoveThis @pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>> distributor shaft play.
>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>
>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead miss.
>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>> life.
>
> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
> constantly on.
>
> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>
> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing forward,
> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>
> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case of
> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I
> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of gas
> in the thing.
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:31:58 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos <vspili.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com>
wrote:

> The distributor electronic module works correctly. If it sparks for one
> cylinder, it will spark for all. This module recognizes slots, not
> cylinders. It will create a spark each time it detects a slot.

It could still be related to the electronic unit, think rise time or
saturation time/rate.
Could be a faulty condenser or the likes.

J.


> Remove the rotor, which has the disk with the slots for the optical
> pickup,
> and check that the electronic module has not come lose and that the wires
> are not rubbing against the rotor disk. Reinstall the rotor seated
> properly
> all the way in, so that it can interrupt the light beam of the detector.
> The
> rotor has a very firm fit, and you must be carefull not to break it. For
> the
> same reason it might not be seated all the way in.
> Also check that the distributor is fully engaged to the distributor
> shaft in
> the engine case.
>
> The "Remove spark plug wires / no difference in sound" trick, doesn't
> tell
> you you have no spark, it tells you that those cylinders are not firing.
> This could happen for many reasons. E.g. due to a vacum leak or clogged
> idle
> circuit in a carb, or short-circuited spark plugs.
>
> When you pull the throttle and the engine revs to about 3000rpm does it
> make
> a difference in sound when you remove the spark plug wires?
> If it does, it is a carb related or vacum leak problem.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
> '67 Bug.
>
> Ï "john" <x.TakeThisOut@x.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
> news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>>
>> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam.TakeThisOut@pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>> I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>> the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>>> distributor shaft play.
>>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>>
>>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead
>>> miss.
>>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>>> life.
>>
>> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
>> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
>> constantly on.
>>
>> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
>> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
>> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>>
>> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
>> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing
>> forward,
>> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
>> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
>> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
>> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
>> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
>> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>>
>> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case
>> of
>> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I
>> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of
>> gas
>> in the thing.
>>
>>
>>
>
>



--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

There should be no condenser instaled with the unilite module, it is not
required and if installed it will weaken the spark.

The detector creates a spark whenever the light beam is interrupted.
Since it creates a spark for #2 and #1 (#1 fires immediately after #2) it
means that there is no rise time - saturation issue.

In this case, the only way for missing the spark for #3 and #4 (if it is
indeed missed), is when the slotted cylinder is not aligned properly to the
detector or the sloted cylinder is broken.

Anyway, when a cylinder is not firing, it can be caused by many other
reasons, besides missing spark.

Regards,
Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'67 Bug.

? "P.J.Berg" <BergRace.DeleteThis@bogus.no.invalid> ?????? ??? ??????
news:op.ubuqr4ulnnsvvw@cm-84.208.86.10.getinternet.no...
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:31:58 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos <vspili.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> The distributor electronic module works correctly. If it sparks for one
>> cylinder, it will spark for all. This module recognizes slots, not
>> cylinders. It will create a spark each time it detects a slot.
>
> It could still be related to the electronic unit, think rise time or
> saturation time/rate.
> Could be a faulty condenser or the likes.
>
> J.
>
>
>> Remove the rotor, which has the disk with the slots for the optical
>> pickup,
>> and check that the electronic module has not come lose and that the wires
>> are not rubbing against the rotor disk. Reinstall the rotor seated
>> properly
>> all the way in, so that it can interrupt the light beam of the detector.
>> The
>> rotor has a very firm fit, and you must be carefull not to break it. For
>> the
>> same reason it might not be seated all the way in.
>> Also check that the distributor is fully engaged to the distributor
>> shaft in
>> the engine case.
>>
>> The "Remove spark plug wires / no difference in sound" trick, doesn't
>> tell
>> you you have no spark, it tells you that those cylinders are not firing.
>> This could happen for many reasons. E.g. due to a vacum leak or clogged
>> idle
>> circuit in a carb, or short-circuited spark plugs.
>>
>> When you pull the throttle and the engine revs to about 3000rpm does it
>> make
>> a difference in sound when you remove the spark plug wires?
>> If it does, it is a carb related or vacum leak problem.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
>> '67 Bug.
>>
>> Ï "john" <x.DeleteThis@x.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
>> news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>>>
>>> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam.DeleteThis@pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>>> I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>>> the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>>>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>>>> distributor shaft play.
>>>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>>>
>>>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead
>>>> miss.
>>>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>>>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>>>> life.
>>>
>>> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
>>> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
>>> constantly on.
>>>
>>> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
>>> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
>>> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>>>
>>> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
>>> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing
>>> forward,
>>> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
>>> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
>>> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
>>> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
>>> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
>>> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>>>
>>> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case
>>> of
>>> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man, I
>>> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of
>>> gas
>>> in the thing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

On Wed, 28 May 2008 10:48:27 +0300 "Bill Spiliotopoulos"
<vspili.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Anyway, when a cylinder is not firing, it can be caused by many other
>reasons, besides missing spark.

Bill's quite right, so I suggest that you do a test to check whether
there is actually current going to the #3 & 4 spark plugs.

The easiest way to do this is with a timing light with an inductive
pickup. I think most people have those these days. Just clip the
pickup around each SP wire in turn and press the trigger switch on teh
timing light. The timing light will only flash if CURRENT passes thru
the SP wire inside the pickup.

If you do this on 1 & 2, you can see what they do, then move on to 3 &
4. If you get the same periodic flashes from each SP wire, then you
know that the electronic ignition is working just fine.

If you don't get the same flashes on 3 & 4, check the resistance of
each SP wire. There is a 1000 Ohm resistor in each SP connector, and
if that resistor goes open the spark current can't flow. You should
also check the dist cap for spark tracks inside and out. It's possible
that there are some carbon tracks which are shorting those 2
terminals, shunting the spark current to ground before it can get to
the plugs.

If all those check out, then you could still have a plug problem, but
this is unlikely.

-
-----------------------------------------------
Jim Adney jadney.RemoveThis@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711 USA
-----------------------------------------------
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

Hmmm so is this a dual port engine with those rubber/silicone boots on each
side of the center intake manifold?
I usually spray them with carb cleaner to make sure that they are not
leaking.
I just got through changing some on a '74 California Super.

And BTW I have seen one electronic distributor that had 1 dead spot.
I also took it apart and reassembled it but it had that same dead spot.
Engine got an 009 distributor and it is doing nicely to my knowledge.
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)


"Bill Spiliotopoulos" <vspili DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:g1iu90$2ivs$1@ulysses.noc.ntua.gr...
> The distributor electronic module works correctly. If it sparks for one
> cylinder, it will spark for all. This module recognizes slots, not
> cylinders. It will create a spark each time it detects a slot.
> Remove the rotor, which has the disk with the slots for the optical
> pickup, and check that the electronic module has not come lose and that
> the wires are not rubbing against the rotor disk. Reinstall the rotor
> seated properly all the way in, so that it can interrupt the light beam of
> the detector. The rotor has a very firm fit, and you must be carefull not
> to break it. For the same reason it might not be seated all the way in.
> Also check that the distributor is fully engaged to the distributor shaft
> in the engine case.
>
> The "Remove spark plug wires / no difference in sound" trick, doesn't tell
> you you have no spark, it tells you that those cylinders are not firing.
> This could happen for many reasons. E.g. due to a vacum leak or clogged
> idle circuit in a carb, or short-circuited spark plugs.
>
> When you pull the throttle and the engine revs to about 3000rpm does it
> make a difference in sound when you remove the spark plug wires?
> If it does, it is a carb related or vacum leak problem.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
> '67 Bug.
>
> Ï "john" <x DeleteThis @x.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
> news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>>
>> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam DeleteThis @pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>>I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember that
>>>the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours similar?
>>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>>> distributor shaft play.
>>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>>
>>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead miss.
>>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>>> life.
>>
>> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks through
>> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
>> constantly on.
>>
>> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
>> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
>> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>>
>> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed with
>> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing forward,
>> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where you
>> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
>> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
>> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position, IOW,
>> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it, and
>> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>>
>> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in case
>> of electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose. Man,
>> I am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of
>> gas in the thing.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

On Wed, 28 May 2008 09:48:27 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos <vspili.RemoveThis@yahoo.com>
wrote:

> There should be no condenser instaled with the unilite module, it is not
> required and if installed it will weaken the spark.
>
> The detector creates a spark whenever the light beam is interrupted.
> Since it creates a spark for #2 and #1 (#1 fires immediately after #2) it
> means that there is no rise time - saturation issue.

I read you loud and clear.
This is not to argue, just thinking out loud.
The detector detects the first two out of four pulses, then needs time to
(somehow) recover, skipping two pulses in the process..?
Electronics/electro-mechanics never seize to surprise me..

J.

>
> In this case, the only way for missing the spark for #3 and #4 (if it is
> indeed missed), is when the slotted cylinder is not aligned properly to
> the
> detector or the sloted cylinder is broken.
>
> Anyway, when a cylinder is not firing, it can be caused by many other
> reasons, besides missing spark.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
> '67 Bug.
>
> ? "P.J.Berg" <BergRace.RemoveThis@bogus.no.invalid> ?????? ??? ??????
> news:op.ubuqr4ulnnsvvw@cm-84.208.86.10.getinternet.no...
>> On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:31:58 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos
>> <vspili.RemoveThis@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> The distributor electronic module works correctly. If it sparks for one
>>> cylinder, it will spark for all. This module recognizes slots, not
>>> cylinders. It will create a spark each time it detects a slot.
>>
>> It could still be related to the electronic unit, think rise time or
>> saturation time/rate.
>> Could be a faulty condenser or the likes.
>>
>> J.
>>
>>
>>> Remove the rotor, which has the disk with the slots for the optical
>>> pickup,
>>> and check that the electronic module has not come lose and that the
>>> wires
>>> are not rubbing against the rotor disk. Reinstall the rotor seated
>>> properly
>>> all the way in, so that it can interrupt the light beam of the
>>> detector.
>>> The
>>> rotor has a very firm fit, and you must be carefull not to break it.
>>> For
>>> the
>>> same reason it might not be seated all the way in.
>>> Also check that the distributor is fully engaged to the distributor
>>> shaft in
>>> the engine case.
>>>
>>> The "Remove spark plug wires / no difference in sound" trick, doesn't
>>> tell
>>> you you have no spark, it tells you that those cylinders are not
>>> firing.
>>> This could happen for many reasons. E.g. due to a vacum leak or clogged
>>> idle
>>> circuit in a carb, or short-circuited spark plugs.
>>>
>>> When you pull the throttle and the engine revs to about 3000rpm does it
>>> make
>>> a difference in sound when you remove the spark plug wires?
>>> If it does, it is a carb related or vacum leak problem.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Bill Spiliotopoulos,
>>> '67 Bug.
>>>
>>> Ï "john" <x.RemoveThis@x.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
>>> news:DLCdnbT4WY8XB6HVnZ2dnUVZ_vzinZ2d@supernews.com...
>>>>
>>>> "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nospam.RemoveThis@pleasehotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:xjZ_j.2736$xZ.257@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>>>> I sold both of my new Mallory distributors, but I seem to remember
>>>>> that
>>>>> the Mallory distributors have 2 ign points in them. Is yours
>>>>> similar?
>>>>> If so.............Check both of the ign points and any possible
>>>>> distributor shaft play.
>>>>> Uhhh you did not buy that distributor from me did you? 8^o
>>>>>
>>>>> I saw one distributor with electronic ignition and it had one dead
>>>>> miss.
>>>>> (No spark to one of the cylinders)
>>>>> I installed a Bosch 009 distributor and then the engine came back to
>>>>> life.
>>>>
>>>> Hi, Dr. Dave. Mine is the Unilite which uses a light that peeks
>>>> through
>>>> slits as the rotator turns. I don't know, but I suspect the light is
>>>> constantly on.
>>>>
>>>> Bill Spiliotopoulos, thanks for the suggestions. While the engine was
>>>> running on #1, 2, I pulled the 3 and 4 wires from the distributor and
>>>> there was no change at all in the running, sound, not anything.
>>>>
>>>> Another thing - all the same distributors I have seen are installed
>>>> with
>>>> the Mallory logo facing back. Mine installs with the logo facing
>>>> forward,
>>>> and #1 is toward the front (of course). My engine is the type where
>>>> you
>>>> cannot install the distributor notches wrong because they are offset.
>>>> (Yep, I made sure the distributor oiling hole alligns with the oil
>>>> aperture (slot) in the case.) There has been no change in position,
>>>> IOW,
>>>> the clamp is good. And it was running very nicely, then I parked it,
>>>> and
>>>> the next morning it was half-dead. Strange.
>>>>
>>>> I keep the original 009 distributor with points in the glovebox in
>>>> case
>>>> of
>>>> electronics failure. I guess it is time to use for that purpose.
>>>> Man, I
>>>> am almost fed-up but I'm motivated because I have almost $40 worth of
>>>> gas
>>>> in the thing.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>



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 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

"P.J.Berg" <BergRace DeleteThis @bogus.no.invalid> wrote in message
news:op.ubvx3cbtnnsvvw@cm-84.208.86.10.getinternet.no...
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 09:48:27 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos <vspili DeleteThis @yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> There should be no condenser instaled with the unilite module, it is not
>> required and if installed it will weaken the spark.
>>
>> The detector creates a spark whenever the light beam is interrupted.
>> Since it creates a spark for #2 and #1 (#1 fires immediately after #2) it
>> means that there is no rise time - saturation issue.
>
> I read you loud and clear.
> This is not to argue, just thinking out loud.
> The detector detects the first two out of four pulses, then needs time to
> (somehow) recover, skipping two pulses in the process..?
> Electronics/electro-mechanics never seize to surprise me..

I find that hard to believe, but bare with me. If it were a saturation
issue, I think the firing would be erratic rather than perfeclty on for #2
and #1 and dead for the others.

So, should I change out the coil? That's easy.
 >> Stay informed about: Mallory ignition 50% broken 

On Thu, 29 May 2008 02:10:29 +0200, john <x.RemoveThis@x.net> wrote:

>
> "P.J.Berg" <BergRace.RemoveThis@bogus.no.invalid> wrote in message
> news:op.ubvx3cbtnnsvvw@cm-84.208.86.10.getinternet.no...
>> On Wed, 28 May 2008 09:48:27 +0200, Bill Spiliotopoulos
>> <vspili.RemoveThis@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> There should be no condenser instaled with the unilite module, it is
>>> not
>>> required and if installed it will weaken the spark.
>>>
>>> The detector creates a spark whenever the light beam is interrupted.
>>> Since it creates a spark for #2 and #1 (#1 fires immediately after #2)
>>> it
>>> means that there is no rise time - saturation issue.
>>
>> I read you loud and clear.
>> This is not to argue, just thinking out loud.
>> The detector detects the first two out of four pulses, then needs time
>> to
>> (somehow) recover, skipping two pulses in the process..?
>> Electronics/electro-mechanics never seize to surprise me..
>
> I find that hard to believe, but bare with me. If it were a saturation
> issue, I think the firing would be erratic rather than perfeclty on for
> #2
> and #1 and dead for the others.
>
> So, should I change out the coil? That's easy.
>
>
>

It is hard to believe, merely a chain of thought theory, and it would be
the light detector or the controll electronics being at fault, not the
coil.
If it was the coil failing when warm it would be erratic, yes.

If you have checked the two H.t. leads of the non firing cylinders for
conductance(also the plug caps) the problem lies within the dizzy, I think
we all can agree on that?

J.



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