Scott F Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 I was speeding along at 65 in the #1 lane, with the car running perfectly normal, when it suddenly cut off and lost power. Luckily I was able to coast in neutral over to the shoulder and up the nearest off ramp. I got it towed home, and now I am trying to trouble shoot it. This is my only ride, so I am desperate to get it fixed asap. The first thing I checked was gas. I disconnected the hose from the filter in the engine bay, and it flows like a fire hose. Next, I pulled a plug and checked for spark, and I saw nothing. This was at night, so it should have been easy to see a spark. This morning I checked the fusible links and the fuse box. Everything was ok. I had 12V at the ignition fuse. Then I pulled the distributor cap, and the rotor and cap contacts were pretty nasty. I cleaned them up real nice so I can get it running, then I will replace them asap. With the ignition switch ON, I have 11V on the coil + terminal, and 3V on the coil - terminal. I have been searching USMB for clues, but I haven't figured it out yet. Without a manual or schematic, I am quickly running out of ideas. I desperately need some help and suggestions. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy D Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 dude thats hella s##ty someone who knows what they're doing will chime in shortly. i have no idea lol but good luck -Dalton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j2coe Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 cougar just helped me out with a very similar problem. mine was a multiport FI model that ended up being the ECU but there were a lot of other things we tried along the way. you can look through that thread for other things we tried though. I think it's back on page 3 now "ignition problem" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 The control unit in the disty most likely died. Either find a new(er) disty, or a control unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Are the turbo and non-turbo distributors the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 The problem does sound like it is with the circuit in the disty like Turbone stated. I'm not sure what kind of pickup this uses. It may be a magnetic type. One easy thing you can do to check it is get a test light probe and place the tip on the negative side of the coil and the clip lead end to ground. Then try turning the engine over and see if the light flashes. If the light just glows steady then the problem would be in the disty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 In case anyone missed it, this is a turbo car with EFI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 With the ignition switch ON, I have 11V on the coil + terminal, and 3V on the coil - terminal. this doesn't seem right. Should have 12v on both sides of the coil. Do you have a spare you could try? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 I don't know if there is a ignition amp for this model but I think the voltage is low because it is being loaded down by a fault in the ignition circuit. If the coil gets hot when the ignition is on this is clue to excessive current flowing through the coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Are the turbo and non-turbo distributors the same? No, they are different. THe pickup in the ea81t is the same as in the early (85-86) ea82ts, although the distributors are of course slightly different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thanks for the tips guys. I am still unable to troubleshoot this problem, with a lack of information and parts to swap. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the EA81T? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thanks for the tips guys. I am still unable to troubleshoot this problem, with a lack of information and parts to swap. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the EA81T? Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 With the ignition switch ON, I have 11V on the coil + terminal, and 3V on the coil - terminal. I have been searching USMB for clues, but I haven't figured it out yet. Without a manual or schematic, I am quickly running out of ideas. I desperately need some help and suggestions. Anyone? Your ignition module is fried.Bad cap and rotor contacts likely caused it. Ea-81T modules are difficult to find.PM if you need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 Gloyale, thanks a lot for the diagrams. I don't see the distributor or ignition module on there, and it only shows one wire going to the negative terminal of the coil. Is there another page? Naru, I believe you may be right, and yes, I desperately need to try an ignition module. Is this part available at dealers or parts stores? How do you change it? It appears that I have to remove the 4 point "star" first. How do you get that off? It has a roll pin to retain it again the flat on the shaft. Should I use a puller? Any tricks? Is it better to swap out the whole distributor? It must be from an EA81T, right? There are 3 wires going to the - terminal on the coil. When I remove these, I get 12V on both the + and - side. Two of the wires do not change this, but the dark yellow one that goes to the module sparks when connected, and pulls down the voltage. Any more help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 You have pinned down the trouble correctly to the module in the disty. The module is shorted and that is why you get the spark when you connect it to the coil. I would like to help you to get into the disty repair but I haven't worked on one, so I will have to just standby and learn also. Edit: Here is some info from a '83 manual for a Hitachi system. It may be close you yours. The info states you need to remove the vacuum unit by loosening the screws for it. You will need to pull the disty but before you do that I would use a marker pen and mark the position of the shaft so you get it back right. Once you get the disty out then there should be a pin in the gear that needs to be removed so you can then slide the shaft out and get at the module. Mark the top plate position also before removing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondasucks Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 You should always have battery voltage on the + side of the coil with the ignition on, however the negative side is grounded and ungrounded to produce the spark, so what voltage is there will depend on whether the circuit from there to ground is open or not. Put a test light between the - terminal and the engine block or battery ground and crank the engine, the light should pulse or flicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 "No need to punch out the roll pin. With the distributor in the car (or held in place in a vise), use two screwdrivers to carefully pry the 4 point "star" unit. Do not nick the edges of it while doing this. Once that part is off the shaft, the module comes out easily with a small phillips screwdriver. Don't lose any of the spacers or hardware." edrach I am trying to remove the star, but so far it is not budging. If I get it off, can I buy the Hitachi module somewhere for a reasonable price, or do I have to find it at the junkyard? Does it have to be from an EA81T? Does anyone know the part number? Does anyone in SoCal have one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Gloyale, thanks a lot for the diagrams. I don't see the distributor or ignition module on there, and it only shows one wire going to the negative terminal of the coil. Is there another page? I believe the EA81t ignition module is the same as the one in the early, Flapper MAF 85,86 EA82Ts. I think the better way to remove the *star* magnet on the shaft is to punch out the roll pin on the bottom that holds the drive gear, then remove the whole shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I don't understand how you can just pull the "star", it is called the reluctor really, piece out by just pulling on it. Is it just set in there? I thought it may be connected to the shaft somehow so the shaft would need to be removed. I have never done this repair before obviously, but it would be nice to understand how it is pieced together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thanks Gloyale, that's the page I was looking for. I got the star off using edrach's technique. I had a 90* flat blade screwdriver that fit under the star to pry it up, but that wasn't enough. So, I had several phillips 90* screwdrivers, and I ground down one into a flat blade. Using both together, I was able to pry up the star with much effort. Now I have the module out, and I wish I had one to replace it. I will call the local stores and see if any are open today. The only number I see on the module is 3930, but no name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 "No need to punch out the roll pin. With the distributor in the car (or held in place in a vise), use two screwdrivers to carefully pry the 4 point "star" unit. Do not nick the edges of it while doing this. Once that part is off the shaft, the module comes out easily with a small phillips screwdriver. Don't lose any of the spacers or hardware." edrach I am trying to remove the star, but so far it is not budging. If I get it off, can I buy the Hitachi module somewhere for a reasonable price, or do I have to find it at the junkyard? Does it have to be from an EA81T? Does anyone know the part number? Does anyone in SoCal have one? 491608711,available,but,not reasonable. You can use one from an 85-86 EA-82T. The star shaped reluctor needs to come off in order to change just the module.Otherwise swap the rotor shaft w/the captured module. Another option is to use a complete 85-86 EA-82T disty by cutting off one of the mounting tabs and swapping to an ea-81 drive gear.The EA-82T disty is functionly identical. In a pinch,you can use a NA EA-81 disty w/minor wiring changes.No knock control,but,it will run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 The local stores want $$$ for this module and of course they are not in stock. I would junk the car first. The Subaru dealer will probably be worse. So that leaves the junkyard or a private stash. Does anyone have one of these modules? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 The local stores want $$$ for this module and of course they are not in stock. I would junk the car first. The Subaru dealer will probably be worse. So that leaves the junkyard or a private stash. Does anyone have one of these modules? I've got a whole 86 EA82t disty. I'd sell it for $30 plus shipping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 Gloyale, that would be fantastic. Can you take out the module and overnight it to me in a padded envelope? Send me a PM with your phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott F Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 Bump for a EA81T module. Anyone? These may or may not interchange: 85,86 GL turbos and 86,87 XT's turbo or non turbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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