I followed the Mazspeed instructions (http://www.mazspeed.com/ignitionswap.htm)on upgrading my 1979 mechanical ignition to and electronic ignition. After all of the wiring I measured the voltage from the positive terminal on the ignition coil to the positive terminal on the battery. Instead of getting 0.2V like the instructions indicated I got 0.8V. I am pretty sure I wired per the instructions. One question I have is about the existing wires on the negative of each ignition coil. Each coil has one existing wire hooked up on the negative terminal. I know one of these is for the tachometer, but I don’t know what the other one does. Currently it is connected to the other coil.

I have the two power wires spliced around the ballast resistors and hooked up to the positive terminals on the coils, and then the two existing wires hooked up to the negative side of the coils. My new wires are a negative wire going to each of the igniters and a positive wire going to each of the igniters, plus one positive wire going to the condenser.

Does anyone see something wrong with the way I have hooked up the ignition? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Did you change out the coils? I have read that the 79 ones are 6v only.

 

it sounds correct....
the coils may be an issues as noted allready...
the tach works off of the trailing coil/ignitor.
that small yellow wire on the negitive side is simply a ground so the coil can function.
a wire should run from the negitive from each ignitor to each coils negitive.

are you testing for power with the car off? or with the key in run position?

 

I did the same thing and had the same results. I fired it up anyway, and it runs great. Should be ok.

Rich

 

I did put in some newer coils, and measured the voltage with the ignition power on.

I figured the other wire would be a ground, but I didn't see it mentioned in the instructions.

I am pretty sure I wired everything up correctly, so I will probably fire it up like 64mgb did. I was just trying to see if anyone else had this issue, before I went and tried to start the car.

 

I have a pic scaned of what is involed its EAZY and FAST, i did this swap on a friends EaRlY 79 (hood prop on the hood and not on the car fender) I did the swap in a wendys parking lot in colorado springs, it took less than 1 hour from start to finish... we poped the hood and let her cool while we ate... then TDC, swap the dizzys, and a little bit of wiring. The car had 80k on the dash and ran good other than the points had to be regaped every few days the screw kept backing out. After the swap the car idled better than my 81 with a new motor(les than 10k) with new ing parts, msd's and ultra red wires... i was pissed but happy 4 him