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Ignition Timing Check Wire?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by mcfarlin, Jan 17, 2009.

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  1. mcfarlin

    mcfarlin Karting

    Jun 9, 2008
    137
    Colorado
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    Mike McFarlin
    #1 mcfarlin, Jan 17, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have a 1980 308 gtbi. There is a wire marked "For Ignition Timing Check" coming out of a bundle if wires near the coils. There is a covered connector on the end. Anyone know if this is aftermarket or how to use it?

    Thank you,

    Mike in Denver
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  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,931
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Jan 17, 2009
    Can you see what color wire it is connected to in the stock harness (or which terminal on the coil it connects to)? It could be a simple as just a handy +12V source to run the timing light (rather than a signal that is measured to determine the timing event).
     
  3. mcfarlin

    mcfarlin Karting

    Jun 9, 2008
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    Colorado
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    Mike McFarlin
    #3 mcfarlin, Jan 17, 2009
    There are two wires, yellow and green. They terminate at a connector with two female spade type ends. My voltmeter gets no reading with ignition on, off or running.

    Mike
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,931
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #4 Steve Magnusson, Jan 17, 2009
    That seems a little strange -- the schematic shows that the yellow (G) wire is connected to coil terminal 15, and should be +12V all the time when the engine is running, and the green (V) wire is connected to coil terminal 1 and should be sometimes connected to ground (by the ECU) which builds the magnetic field in the coil primary and sometimes not connected to ground (when the ECU wants the coil primary magnetic field to collapse and fire the coil secondary).

    If you measure from the yellow (G) wire to a good ground (like a bare place on the engine itself) with the engine running do you get a constant +12V DC reading?
     
  5. mcfarlin

    mcfarlin Karting

    Jun 9, 2008
    137
    Colorado
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    Mike McFarlin
    #5 mcfarlin, Jan 17, 2009
    I don't get 12v from either wire to ground, however, when I put an ohmeter across either wire to ground, it almost kills the running engine. Seems like it is cutting out one coil when grounded.
    I'll be sure not to do that again!

    Mike
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #6 Rifledriver, Jan 18, 2009
    It was for factory equipment long since gone.

    Ignore it.
     
  7. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
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    Shamile
    #7 Shamile, Jan 18, 2009
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Mcfarlin,

    I just noticed that you don't have the rubber boots covering your distributer caps. I would put those on as water can get in there.


    Shamile

    Freeze....Miami Vice !
     
  8. mcfarlin

    mcfarlin Karting

    Jun 9, 2008
    137
    Colorado
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    Mike McFarlin
    #8 mcfarlin, Jan 19, 2009
    Those boots are actually on my list of "to do" items.

    Mike
     

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