1981 Other Toyota Models Ignition problem

1981 TOYOTA
90,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
Avatar
DIABLO_666
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Toyota Starlet 4k motor. It had a motor with an electronic ignition. I removed the motor and coil (without labelling wires, dumb I know) and put in a motor without electronic ignition. At first I couldn't even get a spark out of it, but it now has an orange spark which isn't enough to ignite the fuel. I'm using the same coil from the electronic setup, which has slightly different internal characteristics. Would the extra internal resistance be causing this? Also when I don't have the distributor ignition wire hooked up the coil has 12v on both sides, but as soon as I connect the distributor it drops to about 0.15v on the distributor side. However the points are not shorting (except when they are meant to). Does this sound like a coil problem, or a wiring problem?
If you could help with which wires go where, or how to test if the coil is stuffed I would be greatful. I'm pretty good with a multimeter so you can be quite specific, rather than which colour wires go where :)
Thanks in advance
Tim
Feb 6, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
Orange spark means its weak-try checking the coil's primary and secondary windings. And make sure its getting battery voltage from ignition switch. The positive of the coil goes to the igniton switch and the negative goes to the contact point/s in the distributor.
Feb 8, 2008 at 3:08 AM