75 FJ40 Igniter Coil Problem - Help

[funk49]

Hi Guys,

I was bored yesterday and decided to swap out the igniter coil in my 75 FJ40 with what appeared to be a new coil that came with my car when I purchased it a month ago. After finding that it may not be the correct year (smaller coil, different brackets) I decided to put the old one back on. Initially, this wasn't a big deal as I didn't see too many issues with the old one, I just thought it may start a little easier than it does currently.

After reinstalling the old one, I have encountered a problem. When starting up, it cranks and cranks cranks, never fires/sparks until I pull back the key from "start" to "on". It runs like it did before, it just is more difficult to start.

I thought I got everything rewired as it was before but perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe some of the wiring of the igniter assembly is going bad and pulling everything just brought this to light but I'm stumped.

The blue wire is the one that is perplexing, I originally connected it to the negative pole on the coil and thought, "maybe that's the problem". Then I connected it to the positive pole, no change. I've even disconnected it and had no luck.

I knew I should have taken some quick photos before I started...

Can someone look at these pics and let me know your opinions? Many thanks in advance for the help!

--Rob

 

[LSUfj]

Not sure I have an answer for you, but just to clarify....you crank and it will not start, but when you turn the key back to "on" it starts?

external resistor wiring issue maybe....?? Sorry I'm no help.

 

[funk49]

Thanks for the attempt, LSUfj. Yes, it cranks and doesn't start until I switch back the key from the "start" to the "on" position. Then it runs as normal, it's just more difficult to start.

No other issues it seems with the exception of starting.

If someone has some photos of a stock '75 that I could compare, that would help alot. Ruling out user error would really be beneficial...

 

[funk49]

Anyone with photos or opinions on this?

 

[Pin_Head]

It looks like you do not have the ballast resistor bypass wire hooked up. It is a smaller black wire with a yellow stripe that goes from the starter solenoid to the + side of the coil. This boosts the voltage during cranking so that you can get a spark.

If you search you will find some pictures of the correct wiring of these ignitors.

 

[TEXASgirl]

I have HEI distributor instgead of a coil but I had this same strange occurance...the engine would turnand turn but it would crank until I let go of the key. Wish I had an answer for you. Unfortunately I'm not getting any spark in at all to my plugs now. Will try to diagnose this weekend.

 

[funk49]

It looks like you do not have the ballast resistor bypass wire hooked up. It is a smaller black wire with a yellow stripe that goes from the starter solenoid to the + side of the coil. This boosts the voltage during cranking so that you can get a spark.

If you search you will find some pictures of the correct wiring of these ignitors.

Thanks for the advice, Pin_Head, it's much appreciated. I'm a little confused with the yellow wire with black stripe. The two wires that resemble this is:

1) The yellow and black wire coming off of the ballast that is connected to the wiring harness. This was never disconnected. The only thing I disconnected were the pole connections and the bracket wires.

2) The black and white striped wire coming off of the coil bracket connected to the wiring harness. (Note: Maybe this is the wire that needs to be connected to the [+] pole?? )

I've looked for pics and will continue to try and find some. I'm not sure about the starter solenoid, I didn't change anything but a wire above the [+] pole from the ballast resistor is connected to the [+] pole. The one thing that is apparent is that it's bent and kinda worn. You can see this in pic, 20100603006.jpg.

I'll do some more investigating and check back in tomorrow.

 

[funk49]

Just an update, my issues have been resolved!

As Pin_Head previously stated, I was missing a wire hooked up to the [+] pole on the coil and it turned out that it was the black/white wire that is hooked up the [-] pole in my pics. As soon as I switched it, it started right up.

Many thanks to everyone (especially Jay from TLC who suggested this switch based on a '75 they had in the shop) for the opinions!

TexasGirl, take a look at my shots and compare them with your issues, everything is right with the exception of the black/white wire connected to the [-] pole (coming from the harness).

Have a great weekend!

 

[Pin_Head]

The thing that is confusing me is the color code looks wrong. The bypass wire is supposed to be black with yellow stripe, just like the big ignition wire going to the ballast resistor. The black wire/white stripe is the start wire from the key to the starter solenoid. Are you sure the stripe color didn't fade?

 

[Rajafarhan]

I have a stock FJ40 1975...I'll get you some pics when i go back home..Just specify what exact pics you need and I'll get em

 

[Vicm]

I have HEI distributor instgead of a coil but I had this same strange occurance...the engine would turnand turn but it would crank until I let go of the key. Wish I had an answer for you. Unfortunately I'm not getting any spark in at all to my plugs now. Will try to diagnose this weekend.

You have same issue , no power going to your Hei when you are cranking .
A simple test of the wire that feeds power to your hei while you are cranking will confirm.