Electronic ignition + new coil

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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Hootch
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:28 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Boise, Idaho

Electronic ignition + new coil

Postby Hootch » Tue Sep 19, 2017 2:48 am

My newly acquired '78 1800/1600 has been running a little rough (after new plugs, carb adjust, timing adjust), so the next step was to do the following upgrades:

Magnecor spark plug wires
Pertonix Ignitor Electronic Ignition
Pertonix Flame Thrower performance coil.

The Ignitor documentation left a lot to be desired, so it took a lot of trial and error to find the right way to mount the thing. But once it was installed, the car just purred. The car runs and sounds great now, and I would recommend these enhancements.

For reference, I've included photos showing the proper mounting for my distributor. Mounting may be different for different distributor makes. (I've since moved the wires to ensure better clearance from the rotor.)

Image
Image

One question:
One my test drive, immediately after installation, my turn signals/brake light went wonky. (brake light goes off when turn signal is engaged) Coincidence? Or could this change have anything to do with the new upgrades? Or perhaps while I was changing the coil, I may have disturbed a nearby wire with a short. I'm not really sure what to check at this point. Anyone experience this or have suggestions?

Thanks!
Hootch McGee
1978 124 Spider (1592 cc motor)
2012 Mini Cooper Clubman S
2004 Aprilia Mojito
Image

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seabeelt
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 1612
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:22 pm
Your car is a: Fiat Spider - 1971 BS1
Location: Tiverton, RI

Re: Electronic ignition + new coil

Postby seabeelt » Tue Sep 26, 2017 2:02 pm

Check the grounding pods in the engine bay and specifically in the trunk
Michael and Deborah Williamson
1971 Spider -Tropie’ - w screaming IDFs
1971 Spider - Vesper -scrapped
1979 Spider - Seraphina - our son's car now sold
1972 Spider - Tortellini- our son's current


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