Petronix Ignition

[al agustin]

G'day everyone, does anyone know the Pertronix product code to fit a Bosch distributor JFUDR6 0231169001? I can't get my car started after having tried all possible avenues...fuel, air, spark and we suspect it might be the existing/faulty 'Hot Spark' module...then again maybe it's not...I'd appreciate any further ideas to get the engine going, a 1968 911T. It just keeps cranking to barely starting but it just won't start... until the brand new battery goes flat Thank you!

[edmayo]

Check for spark by pulling the high tension lead from the center of the distributor cap and holding it an 1/8th" from ground, rotate engine, should see a spark jump every 120 degrees of crank rotation. Remove aircleaner, with engine OFF, operate the throttle linkage, you should see fuel squirting from the accelerator pumps. If the battery is too weak cranking will just rob battery power from the ignition causing a no start.

[Bobs 67S]

Al, check the plug wire order to the distributor cap. Porsche changed the direction of firing some time in the 60's/70's cars. Verify the wires order - 1 and 4 would be in the correct place but the other four wires would not. Pull the plugs and view if some are sooty and others wet.

Ed, would you note the year dissy direction changed (sometime after 1967).

[edmayo]

1978 Bob, with the 3.0 SC

[RSTarga]

Are you sure that you don't have the distributor 180 degrees off? Check that no1 is really at TDC and that the distributor rotor is pointing at no1.

[al agustin]

Al, check the plug wire order to the distributor cap. Porsche changed the direction of firing some time in the 60's/70's cars. Verify the wires order - 1 and 4 would be in the correct place but the other four wires would not. Pull the plugs and view if some are sooty and others wet.

Ed, would you note the year dissy direction changed (sometime after 1967).

Bob, is there a link that shows the ignition wires in their correct sequence for 1968 911T? Thank you so much everyone...I'm in an absolutely desperate situation now.

[al agustin]

Are you sure that you don't have the distributor 180 degrees off? Check that no1 is really at TDC and that the distributor rotor is pointing at no1.

I have no idea David...I am just relying on my 'Porsche Mechanic'...do you have a photo of the rotor pointing to TDC 'No.1'...I can go to the garage and find out. Thanks a lot!

[edmayo]

What exactly has been done since the car last ran?

[al agustin]

I drove the car home when it arrived from the US. It wasn't perfect but it ran and had no starting issues. My mechanic suggested reconditioning the Weber carburetors which he did and the car ran for a few miles during testing. It indeed seemed to run better but still not as perfect as I'd like. It was subsequently parked and after a day or so, it wouldn't start anymore. I have since replaced the battery, fuel filter and new fuel line. Electric fuel pump works etc. When the ignition is turned on, it just keeps cranking and almost starts and eventually the battery dies. Still no luck! Thanks for your question.

[BillJones]

Problems of this type usually have relatively simple solutions.

Hot Spark and Pertonix Ignitors are not complicated and do have a habit of just failing. They are simple Hall Effect switches and tend to work or fail.

If the engine does fire and there is a spark it is unlikely to be the ignitor unit - just take out a plug and see if there is a spark when you turn over the engine.

Your comment that the engine fires but doesn't run would suggest that the ignitor is OK.

If you have disconnected the coil at any time and it was re-connected with a reversed polarity then the Ignitor will have blown up and it will need replacing but if this had happened it wouldn't fire.

I would replace the Ignitor with a coil and condenser as they are much more 'boot proof' and you should be able to make it run well with this basic set up and it will help you fault find the other running issues which could well be associated with basic distributor function as well as carbs.