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Another Pertonix question

AUSMHLY

Yoda
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Now that the Positive Pertonix unit has been installed in my positive BJ8, the car does not start as quickly as with the points. I believe it is installed correctly.

It seems to start between 3-8 turn over's.
Sometimes I hear it start and turn the key back to middle.
Sometimes I do not hear it start, turn the key to middle, then it starts.

With points it used to start 2-3 revolutions, every time.

What's going on?

I was under the impression that installing the Pertonix should make for a more reliable ignition. One less thing to have to tinker with. Plus the car may run better?

It was installed by my mechanic and he checked the timing. I asked him about this starting issue, and he said that's just the way it is. Sometimes I wonder if he is telling it like it is, or mabe just doesn't know.

Looking forward to advise as to what I should check or do.
Cheers, Roger
 
Hi Roge,
How do you use the choke One pull to full on?
Try two pulls to full on.

Did you also install the high out put coils?
The Lucas Sport or Flame thrower can help.

Check all related connections for tightness
Particularly the ground connection.

How good is the battery?
Measure voltage at the coil while cranking.
Should be around 11 Volts.

What is the Spark Plug gap ?
Try using 0.032" with stock coil or others.
 
I would still guess it is a timing issue even though your mechanic said he reset it, that would have changed when you installed the Pertronix, assuming nothing else had changed and the new unit is functioning right you should start the same or better unless the timing is different.
 
Roger,
I think Dave is right on target about the ignition switch
being the source of your current problem. If you let go of the key after the motor is spinning and it starts up right after you let go of the key.
 
AUSMHLY said:
Now that the Positive Pertonix unit has been installed in my positive BJ8, the car does not start as quickly as with the points. I believe it is installed correctly.

It seems to start between 3-8 turn over's.
Sometimes I hear it start and turn the key back to middle.
Sometimes I do not hear it start, turn the key to middle, then it starts.

With points it used to start 2-3 revolutions, every time.

What's going on?

I was under the impression that installing the Pertonix should make for a more reliable ignition. One less thing to have to tinker with. Plus the car may run better?

It was installed by my mechanic and he checked the timing. I asked him about this starting issue, and he said that's just the way it is. Sometimes I wonder if he is telling it like it is, or mabe just doesn't know.

Looking forward to advise as to what I should check or do.
Cheers, Roger
Roger,
Try this to check out the switch...turn the key "on", press the rubber button on the backside of the solenoid. Did the car start with the same revolutions as before the change?
Patrick
 
Dave, Keoke, glemon and Ed,
Thanks for your help guys.
It seems the problem was the coil.
My Mechanic did his testing, and found the coil was not putting out enough current.
He tried a gold Lucus sports coil. Problem solved.
I guess the Pertonixs needs more juice?
(One of the things Keoke mentioned, good call)
It now starts between the first and second revolution. Everytime. Wow.

I wanted to pass this info on.
Thanks everyone.
Roger
 
Hi Roger,
Glad you're happy. I have no idea what he means by "putting out enough current". The Pertronix works fine with the original coil. A "Lucas sports coil" is only capable of putting out about 10% more voltage than a standard coil. Guess it really doesn't matter, as long as things work like you want.
D
 
I have heard that the matching coil is a benefit, even though not required to start the car. I'm dealing with similar issues currently with a Crane XR-700 for the OPUS system (Jag XJ6 SII), and it does seem to need or work well the extra juice to match the boosted amplifier. Even though it is a small boost with a coil upgrade, it theoretically works more "in harmony" with the new electronic upgrade. I would stop short of buying the entire line of upgrades (plug wires and whatever else is offered) but I agree on the coil needing to be upgraded to match the newer technology.
Internal ballasting of the RUN wire is one benefit to the upgrade on the Jaguar, different beast I know, but it makes sense to accomodate your new system.

Thanks for passing this on, I just put an order in for a Lucas Sport to cure my cranking woes... I am hoping for the same result!
 
PS - Not to overlook the obvious, it may have also just been time for a new coil....... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
bmurphy7369 said:
PS - Not to overlook the obvious, it may have also just been time for a new coil....... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

Yep Murph, you could be right. If a coil during its life time has been severely overheated it will degrade its future output. Similarly, it is not inconceivable, that slight overheats over a long period of time can cause the coil to degrade in a similar manner. When a coil with these hidden faults is connected to a fast electronic switcher they simply can not produce the required output voltage.---Fwiw--Keoke
 
bmurphy7369 said:
PS - Not to overlook the obvious, it may have also just been time for a new coil....... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif
I 2nd or 3rd that thought.

I suspect that most of our 40 + year old coils are on their
last legs if they are working at all.
 
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