 Troubleshooting Ignition system, Jacobs Electronics |
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| TroyVB |
 May 1 2019, 01:45 PM
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#1
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Newbie  Group: Members Posts: 17 Joined: 21-July 16 From: Northwest IA Member No.: 20,214 Region Association: None  |
I have a Jacobs Electronics ignition system in my '73 1.7. Backed it out of the garage and left it idling. Ran in to get my sunglasses and when I came back the engine had stopped. I turned it over and got a few backfires but it would not catch and run. Now I don't have any spark. Engine turns over fine but the LEDs on the Jacobs box are not lit and I can't remember if they were ever on when the car was not running. I have 12v to the unit and the antitheft wire has a good ground.
I have never worked on an electronic ignition system like this. Can someone help me with a troubleshooting procedure? |
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| Mark Henry |
May 1 2019, 08:41 PM
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#2
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
You'll have to google search.
You might be hooped, Jacob's is no more. |
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| TroyVB |
May 2 2019, 06:18 AM
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#3
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 17 Joined: 21-July 16 From: Northwest IA Member No.: 20,214 Region Association: None |
Yep, I have done the Google search as well as a search on this site. I will try to troubleshoot first, but if I need to replace what are your ignition system recommendations for a '73 1.7 with Weber carbs? Not sure why the PO installed the Jacobs system or when.
Thanks for the help. |
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| Mark Henry |
May 2 2019, 06:37 AM
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#4
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
QUOTE(TroyVB @ May 2 2019, 08:18 AM)  Yep, I have done the Google search as well as a search on this site. I will try to troubleshoot first, but if I need to replace what are your ignition system recommendations for a '73 1.7 with Weber carbs? Not sure why the PO installed the Jacobs system or when. Thanks for the help. It's a CDI like a MSD, hotter spark, likely bought because the PO had a miss or just thought it could help. MSD (mr. gasket) owns (owned?) Jacobs, Mallory and a few others, they shut down the Jacobs line, mallory is also in the process of being shuttered. |
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| injunmort |
May 3 2019, 05:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,024 Joined: 12-April 10 From: sugarloaf ny Member No.: 11,604 Region Association: North East States |
I have one of these ignitions in my most recent project. it fires so far. not a lot of useful info on the net that I have been able to find. I am very tempted just to go back to coil and points.
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| Mark Henry |
May 3 2019, 05:56 AM
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#6
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
QUOTE(injunmort @ May 3 2019, 07:20 AM) I have one of these ignitions in my most recent project. it fires so far. not a lot of useful info on the net that I have been able to find. I am very tempted just to go back to coil and points. If you have it and it works run it, hotter spark is good and Porsche went to a CDI on the /6. |
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| Tbrown4x4 |
May 3 2019, 07:06 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 707 Joined: 13-May 14 From: Port Orchard, WA Member No.: 17,338 Region Association: None 
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I have the Ignition book by Jacobs you can have. Not sure if there is much troubleshooting in it. PM me with your address.
Update: Just looked through the Jacobs Book. Not really much troubleshooting in it. Just some basics, so it probably won't help much, but you're still welcome to it. |
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| TroyVB |
May 7 2019, 12:40 PM
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#8
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 17 Joined: 21-July 16 From: Northwest IA Member No.: 20,214 Region Association: None |
Thanks for the help. I am thinking of switching to a Pertronix system. I have checked all my connections on the Jacobs system and they check out. It looks as though the CDI box has an internal problem. The box is epoxied shut so it looks like there is no fixing components.
Thanks for the book offer tbrown4x4. I think I will replace with something current. I am open to suggestions. |
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| porschetub |
May 7 2019, 11:29 PM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,816 Joined: 25-July 15 From: New Zealand Member No.: 18,995 Region Association: None |
Old system as mentioned but for the day it was the nuts,you will be fine with Pertronix II get the correct impedance coil to match and use good plug leads you will be happy as,cheers.
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| Tbrown4x4 |
May 8 2019, 04:52 AM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 707 Joined: 13-May 14 From: Port Orchard, WA Member No.: 17,338 Region Association: None
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Agreed. I'm very happy with my Pertronix. I commute almost 100 miles each day, and have had no problems.
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