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[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

Matchbox Testing

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Revision as of 06:34, 18 May 2009
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Line 1: Line 1:
-How to test your 1978-1982 factory Datsun "matchbox" distributor, from the Nissan factory service manual.+How to test your 1978-1982 factory Datsun "matchbox" distributor, from the Nissan factory service manual. Matchbox is a nickname for the "IC ignition unit".
For [[B310 Electronic Distributor Swap]] For [[B310 Electronic Distributor Swap]]
<br>http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/1885.jpg] <br>http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/1885.jpg]
-= Manual Testing =+= General Instructions =
-A volt-ohn-milliammeter (VOM) may be used to diagnose transistor ignition malfunctions.+A volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) may be used to diagnose transistor ignition malfunctions.
Use this scale: Use this scale:
Line 18: Line 18:
-== Power Circuit ==+== Step 5 Power Supply Circuit ==
-=== Not Running ==+
# IGN key ON, engine not running # IGN key ON, engine not running
# connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T) # connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T)
Line 25: Line 24:
Results: Results:
* below 11.5 volts. Problem. Check fuse and wiring * below 11.5 volts. Problem. Check fuse and wiring
-* 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Complete other tests+* 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Proceed to Test 6
-=== Cranking ==+= Step 6 Power Supply (Cranking) =
# Pull coil wire from cap and ground it # Pull coil wire from cap and ground it
-# connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T)+# Set Voltmeter to 20V DC scale
-# Crank engine (key at START)+# connect Voltmeter between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T)
 +# Crank engine (key at START) and observe voltage
Results: Results:
* Voltage more than 1V below Battery cranking voltage (or below 8.6V). Check ignition switch, fuse and wiring * Voltage more than 1V below Battery cranking voltage (or below 8.6V). Check ignition switch, fuse and wiring
-* Voltage close to battery cranking voltage (no more than 1V less) AND better than 8.6V. This test is OK. Complete other tests.+* Voltage close to battery cranking voltage (no more than 1V lower) AND better than 8.6V. This test is OK. Proceed to Test 7
-= 7 Ignition Primary Circuit =+= Step 7 Ignition Primary Circuit =
# IGN key ON, engine not running # IGN key ON, engine not running
# connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "C" connection (head of T) # connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "C" connection (head of T)
Line 44: Line 44:
* 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Proceed with Test 9 * 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Proceed with Test 9
-= 8 Coil Primary Circuit =+ 
 += Step 8 Coil Primary Circuit =
# Key OFF # Key OFF
# coil wire removed from coil # coil wire removed from coil
# #
 +
 +
 +
 += Step 10 Pick-up Coil Resistance =
 +Check the pickup resistance:
 +# Key OFF
 +# ohmmeter between the two wires on the matchbox (red & green wires -- NOT the T-connector).
 +# set VOM to 1000 ohm scale
 +
 +Results:
 +* It should be about 400 ohms. Proceed to Test 11
 +* If "substantially" lower or higher than 400 ohms, the pickup is either bad or a wire is pinched or shorted.
 +
 +
 += Step 11 Pick-up Coil Output =
 +Output while cranking. Use ANALOG voltemeter.
 +
 +# Engine at or above normal operating temperature (HOT) if possible
 +# VOM at 5V AC or 10V AC scale
 +# Connect Voltmeter to body of distributor (ground) and internal wire closest to the T-connector
 +# Remove coil wire from cap and ground it
 +# Observe analog Voltmeter while cranking engine
 +
 +Results:
 +* Needle wavers. OK. But if "no Spark" condition still exists, replace IC ignition unit
 +* Needle steady. Problem.
 +*# Check physical condition of pick-up coil and reluctor
 +*#: http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/thumbs/14075.jpg
 +*#: Reluctor (4-tooth rotating part). Stator (4-teeth ring)
 +*# Check wiring and connections between coil and IC ignition unit (the matchbox)

Revision as of 06:59, 18 May 2009

How to test your 1978-1982 factory Datsun "matchbox" distributor, from the Nissan factory service manual. Matchbox is a nickname for the "IC ignition unit".

For B310 Electronic Distributor Swap
1885.jpg]

Contents

General Instructions

A volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) may be used to diagnose transistor ignition malfunctions.

Use this scale:
DC: 20V
Ohms: 1000
AC: 10V
Ohms: 50,000

If possible test with components at operating temperature -- this will help find intermittent problems that only occur when the parts are HOT.

It is not necessary to disconnect the harness connectors when performing the following tests.


Step 5 Power Supply Circuit

  1. IGN key ON, engine not running
  2. connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T)

Results:

  • below 11.5 volts. Problem. Check fuse and wiring
  • 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Proceed to Test 6

Step 6 Power Supply (Cranking)

  1. Pull coil wire from cap and ground it
  2. Set Voltmeter to 20V DC scale
  3. connect Voltmeter between distributor case and the "B" connection (stem of T)
  4. Crank engine (key at START) and observe voltage

Results:

  • Voltage more than 1V below Battery cranking voltage (or below 8.6V). Check ignition switch, fuse and wiring
  • Voltage close to battery cranking voltage (no more than 1V lower) AND better than 8.6V. This test is OK. Proceed to Test 7

Step 7 Ignition Primary Circuit

  1. IGN key ON, engine not running
  2. connect Voltmeter (20V scale) between distributor case and the "C" connection (head of T)

Results:

  • below 11.5 volts. Problem. Proceed with Test 8
  • 11.5 - 12.5 volts. This test OK. Proceed with Test 9


Step 8 Coil Primary Circuit

  1. Key OFF
  2. coil wire removed from coil


Step 10 Pick-up Coil Resistance

Check the pickup resistance:

  1. Key OFF
  2. ohmmeter between the two wires on the matchbox (red & green wires -- NOT the T-connector).
  3. set VOM to 1000 ohm scale

Results:

  • It should be about 400 ohms. Proceed to Test 11
  • If "substantially" lower or higher than 400 ohms, the pickup is either bad or a wire is pinched or shorted.


Step 11 Pick-up Coil Output

Output while cranking. Use ANALOG voltemeter.

  1. Engine at or above normal operating temperature (HOT) if possible
  2. VOM at 5V AC or 10V AC scale
  3. Connect Voltmeter to body of distributor (ground) and internal wire closest to the T-connector
  4. Remove coil wire from cap and ground it
  5. Observe analog Voltmeter while cranking engine

Results:

  • Needle wavers. OK. But if "no Spark" condition still exists, replace IC ignition unit
  • Needle steady. Problem.
    1. Check physical condition of pick-up coil and reluctor
      14075.jpg
      Reluctor (4-tooth rotating part). Stator (4-teeth ring)
    2. Check wiring and connections between coil and IC ignition unit (the matchbox)