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'84 Brat Loses fire to coil when I go to start position on switch ? Help


dilly
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Thank you for your response ..Replaced distributor (253,000 on engine), replaced ignition switch ? Have fire in on position to coil, but when I go to start position, I lose fire at the coil ? Not having any luck with those 3 relays located near coil ?  Not sure what is what ?  Have looked at a few other Brat's, and not wired same as far as these relays ?  Wonderful little truck..Problem started suddenly..Engine die suddenly.No warning, no hesitation, just die..Crank right back till next episode..Now won't crank period ? (changed coil )..I just not sure what to do mister ??

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  • 3 weeks later...

Plug wires are nearly new ? Brat is titled '84, but think it's a '85?  Embarrassed to ask,  but I can't find the ecm ?  Thought it was supposed to be under drivers seat, but I can't find it ? Help

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The ECM (that it wouldn't have unless its a CA spec engine) does not control ignition on that model.

 

The entire ignition is controlled by the distributor. All the system needs is power to the coil + and the distributor hooked up to the coil. Yellow to negative and Red to positive. If you run a wire directly from the battery to coil + and it does not work then you aren't getting the ignition pulse signal from the distributor module. If you put a test light from the coil negative to battery positive while cranking the engine the light should pulse on and off as the distributor module grounds the negative side of the coil to fire it. If it does not pulse then the distributor module is improperly connected, bad, or the distributor isn't turning (primary side failure)

 

If you do the pulse test and you are getting the pulse then the coil is bad, or you have a cap/rotor/plugs/wires issues not getting the spark from the coil to the plugs (secondary side failure). 

 

It's a super simple system - the one pulse test with a $5 test light will tell you almost everything you need to know. 

 

GD 

Edited by GeneralDisorder
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i have had the distributor module fail without warning - GD's test above would confirm that

 

i have also had something dicky in the ignition switch that it would not run in the "start" ie cranking position

so you would crank the engine and it would start after you released the key if it were turning quick enough

i installed a push button to start and got around that.  to test that you could jump the solenoid with the key on or roll start it....(push, tow....)

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  • 2 weeks later...

2 different garages have looked at this little truck and surrendered ?  New dist., new switch..Need to ask somebody ? Last garage said it was a California car with a computer and possibly it is at fault ? I've looked under the seats and I can't find a dang computer on it ?  Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated ..Thank ALL of you for your prior posts..sincerely

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I hope I don't sound stupid ? (easy for me)  Does this '84 model have a "resistor" between the switch and coil to reduce the voltage ? If it does and failed (old age) might this be the problem ?

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I would like to say THANK YOU  to all who have helped me folks....A big THANK YOU ....I am at the point hunting for the ECM ? I simply can't find it..Non turbo truck ? But evidently it has one but don't think its on the underside of steering column as one response said ?  Where is it ?

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