Troubleshooting Tips (Ignitor)
Since I have installed the Ignitor™ the engine won’t start.
What can I check?
The first step in troubleshooting involves answering a few questions.
Do you have the correct kit for your application?
Did the Ignitor install without any modification?
Was the Ignitor installed according to the instructions?
Did the engine run prior to the installation of the Ignitor?
If you answered "NO" to any of the previous questions, go back and correct the condition before proceeding. If the answer to these questions is “YES”, then review some additional common solutions to a no start condition.
The position in which the Ignitor red wire is attached to is not supplying sufficient voltage.
The air gap between the module and magnet sleeve is too great.
The ground wire inside the distributor is not connected.
The wire connections are not tight.
The polarity is not correct.
What type of coil can I use with the Ignitor™? How do I check my coils resistance? (12V negative ground only)
To determine if your systems coil is compatible with the Ignitor, some measurements should be taken prior to installation of the Ignitor. Caution… While performing this test, never leave the ignition switch on for more than 30 seconds at a time.
Set your voltmeter to a 15 or 20-volt scale. Attach an 18 or 20 AWG jumper wire from the negative coil terminal to an engine ground. Attach positive (red) lead of your voltmeter to the positive side of the coil, and the negative (black) lead to an engine ground. Turn the ignition switch to the run position. Now read the voltage at the positive coil terminal. Turn the ignition switch off. If the voltage measured is approximately 12 volts, no resistance wire is present. A typical resistance wire will provide 9 - 6 volts.
The next step is to determine the resistance in the primary ignition. Label the wires attached to the coil terminals and note their appropriate location. Make sure that the ignition switch is off and disconnect all wires from the coil. Adjust your meter to the lowest ohm scale. If you are using an analog style meter make sure to zero the needle.
Measure from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. Write your measurement down.
Now the maximum system amperage can be determined, divide your voltage measurement by your coil resistance measurement. This will give you the system current or amperage.
Four cylinder engines should not exceed 4 amps. Six and eight cylinder engines should not exceed 8.5 amps. If the total amperage in your system is higher than the amount recommended for your application, you should install a ballast resistor.
Example
Voltage 12
Resistance 1.5
12 / 1.5 = 8
Total amperage 8
What will happen if I leave the ignition switch on when the engine is not running?
Leaving the ignition switch on when the engine is not running, can cause permanent damage to the ignition system, and related components. This does not apply to the accessory position of the ignition switch.
Can I change the length of the Ignitor™ wires?
Yes, the Ignitor wire length may be tailored to your specific needs. Occasionally the wires may need to be extended. We recommend that a 20-gauge copper strand wire be used. Make sure that all splices are cleaned, secure and insulated.
What should I gap the spark plugs to?
The Ignitor has no set specification in which the spark plugs should be gaped at. Every engine responds differently to spark plug setting. In most cases increasing the factory recommended gap by .005 improves the engine performance.
Can I run a MSD box or other capacitive discharge unit with the Ignitor™? How do I hook it up?
Yes, most capacitive discharge boxes are compatible with the Ignitor. Special wiring instructions should be followed. Click on the appropriate diagram for complete wiring instructions.
Ignitor to MSD 6 Series(.pdf)
Ignitor to MSD Blaster(.pdf)
Will the Ignitor™ work with the shift interrupter on an OMC stern drive boat?
The Ignitor is compatible with all OMC stern drive applications, when they are equipped with our "diode fix". Click on the "diode fix" diagram to view in full size.
OMC Diode Fix(.pdf)
How do I wire the Ignitor or Ignitor II ignition system to my Porsche CD ignition box?
Special wiring is necessary with factory installed Porsche CD ignition systems. Click on the diagram below to view the proper Ignitor wiring.
Wire to Porsche CD Ignition Box(.pdf)