WHat is going on with my ignition?

Enthu · 09-15-07, 04:32 PM

I got a new distributor cap for the 79 SA. Turned out to be wrong. The car seems to have a 1980+ Dizzy. So would that mean the car would have electronic ignition?

Here's the thing though, it still has those big white ballast resistors on the strut tower. So what's on here? furthermore the positive (+) terminals on both coils were linked with a jumper cable.

I trying to figure out what's going on here as I install a 2nd gen coil. But I need to understand my ignition in place first. Is there a diffference in the 1980 dizzy from 81+? or all they all electronic but the 79?

thanks for any help, I'm reading the archive right now too.

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Enthu · 09-15-07, 05:25 PM

I've gotten it running off the 2nd gen coil, but the ballast resistors are in place still.

Jeff20B · 09-15-07, 06:36 PM

Read up on 1st gen ignition mods and choose the best direct fire upgrade for your situation. It sounds like the 2nd gen coil is what you already have, so go with that.

Enthu · 09-15-07, 06:45 PM

My main question was the 4 white ballasts on the strut tower. Is it possible if the previous owner upgraded to electronic FB ignition ( I think it's FB since 2 j-109s are on the dizzy itself) and left the ballast from the points system in place that the car would still run?

I just put the 2nd gen coil in and it works. But As I understand these ballasts are dropping my ignition voltage to 9v vs 12v. They are wired in still it appears too.

trochoid · 09-15-07, 07:41 PM

The ballast resistors can be left in place, if it's jumpered around them.

Enthu · 09-15-07, 08:24 PM

well, I think I figured this out. I read the archives and a couple other things and am now just clearing the mess up. I bypassed them and holy crap, that 2nd gen coil came alive with a proper 12 volts. The car is insane now!

It's a 79 SA with a Mikuni 44phh carb, RB open exhaust, 4.88 gears ( I think, it tends to be about a 40 on the speedo when doing 30), GSL rear end and brakes. Stripped interior and roll bar too