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Author Topic: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!  (Read 2722 times)

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Offline Trucker Tim

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Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« on: June 07, 2015, 08:27:12 AM »
Need some more of your expert help Crew.
  I'm not at all familiar with the ignition system on the Pinto engine. Not even sure if I have the right "stuff" under the hood of my project?
  When I got the motor running after sitting 12 years the fellow I bought it from told me you had to turn on the headlamps to start the engine. I removed all the extra wiring from the light switch and the Jeep will start when you turn on the key but WILL NOT shut off when the key is in the off position??
Any ideas where to start looking? The wiring is a mess, really big mess!
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline HOSS429

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2015, 11:59:50 AM »
it has been so long since i have had to fix something iv`e forgotten most of the remedies .. i know i have solved problems similar to this in the past .. i`ll throw out some ideas and others on here can deny or confirm them .. i think your alternator can cause this if it is wired without a diode .. your alternator may be keeping the engine running with feedback voltage .. a diode will only let voltage travel one way and allow the engine to die when turned off ..another thing mite be the solenoid switch .. some have two posts and some have one .. the two posts type feed the ignition from the ( I ) post .. it may be bad .. of course you need to be sure  of your ignition feed from the key  switch is located on the right plug .. you can find that with a test lite ..

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2015, 04:31:54 PM »
Thank You HOSS429.
  Sounds like a few good places to start looking.
The wiring is a nightmare so it's hard to tell what we will find.
Hope to get back on her tomorrow.
Have a good test lamp and now somewhat of a plan of attack.
Cheers.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2015, 08:24:09 PM »
Yes I think I may have a 50 50 chance if what may be wrong , one you have a GM alternater , to check my idea why it will not stop pull the two wire plunging on it with the engine running , then turn off the key, if it then stops you have to make a change to one of the wires the way it is powered when you turn on the key, when it is running it feedbacks 12 volts to turn off a idiot light, but if you have it wired to the ign it will keep the engine running , let me know it this works , later Blaine
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2015, 07:07:38 AM »
Thank You Blaine!!
  You hit the nail on the head. It is a GM alternator with the 2 wire plug on top of the unit.
Went out to the shop first thing this morning and tried your process of #1 - starting the motor.
#2 - unplugging the 2 wire plug from the alternator. #3 - turning off the ignition switch.
The "Pinto" engine stopped just like she was supposed to!
  Would a 12 volt diode be the next move, and if so could you coach me on where to start looking for one?
I can't thank all of you enough for your help with this project! Happy Tim!  :)
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2015, 08:57:05 AM »
It's a simple and cheep fix, the plug in you have has a red wire and a white wire , the red wire is the voltage since wire , hooked to the battery or on gm cars to the headlight switch, when you turn on the headlights its sees a voltage drop and bumps ups the voltage a tad, the white wire starts the alternator , it goes to a light , bulb number 194 , and then to the ign switch, when you turn on the switch it sends 12 volts to the bulb , and since the alternator is not running it loads the white wire to almost a ground , light comes on , when you start the engine the alternator is actived and sends 12 back to the bulb , now sense you have voltage on each side of the bulb , it goes out , and when you turn off the engine the bulb can not supply enough to amps to run the ign system , bulb lights up and engine dies and light goes off untel next time , this is as simple as I can make it , hope it helps or I can draw up a wiring diagram, later Blaine
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2015, 12:17:21 PM »
Gotcha' "pinto_one" Blaine.
  I just talked to one of our truck mechanics at work. He is familiar with the problem.
Just as you describe he has a wiring diagram I'll copy Wednesday when I head back to work.
Thank you for your offer. He suggested a diode, he has one, and a diagram on where and how to install it as well.
I'm pretty fair with trailer wiring but this was a bit over my pay-grade! Tomorrow I'll get packed for work.
The next day I leave for a week but will check in when I arrive home next week.
All for now, Tim 
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2015, 12:20:33 PM »
Have a good trip Tim and be safe out there..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2015, 12:22:55 PM »
Thank You Sir!!  :)
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2015, 07:52:23 PM »
Hello Crew!
  Finally had some quality shop time today. Got the diode installed on the alternator wire as several Folks suggested and the motor starts and STOPS just like it should. After taking a full tour under the dash, our old Jeep needs completely rewired. What a mess!
  I am still amazed at how well the "Pinto" motor starts and runs every time we ask it to. Thank You All for the help and guidance! On to the next project!!   
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2015, 09:49:05 PM »
They do start easy, I can leave mine sit for a couple days and it fires in less than one revolution, and that's on that skunk pi$$ they call gas, lol..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2015, 05:47:45 AM »
You can get some rewire kits for the older cars off e bay , yours is kind of simple , only your wires are not color coded, friend had a old original military jeep and all the wires were white with numbers on it , a yep they do crank easy but make sure you keep fresh gas in it or it will later gum up the works , glad we all could help you
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2015, 07:11:14 AM »
10-4 on the quality of gas we can purchase these days.
I treat all the "gas vehicles" vehicles we own including the yard equipment!
Boat gas is probably the most sensitive issue in our little fleet.
They seem to be the ones that tend to sit the most. (sadly!)
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2015, 07:17:15 AM »
At least we have one station here that has ethanol free gas, it's 92 and expensive but my pressure washer likes it..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline Trucker Tim

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #14 on: June 22, 2015, 07:32:51 AM »
Hey Art!
I hear ya about the price! Holy Crap,  :o I'll never be able to retire.
Too many toys to feed.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #15 on: June 22, 2015, 07:48:02 AM »
Hey Art!
I hear ya about the price! Holy Crap,  :o I'll never be able to retire.
Too many toys to feed.
Got that right, LOL..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline jamesljudkins

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Re: Electronic Ignition Wiring Problem!
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2015, 01:19:23 PM »
Hi, I have a 1972 Pinto that I dropped a 302 into.  I also updated the electrical with a durospark modual. I can't get the thing wired up right, I have checked about every video on YouTube but nothing works, they talk about a brown wire  and a pink wire but I don't see either of these wires under my dash. I have traced the red with green stripe and the red with blue stripe.
   Can anyone spend some time helping me with this issue?
A thank
Jim