Technical electronic ignition challenge

[shenkerman]

Hi,

Anybody out there have success with installing a 123ignition unit???

I have a 68 500L that I am in the middle of installing a new 123 ignition unit. I have followed the instructions religiously but cant get the static timing LED light to come on so that the next step is possible:

"Turn the engine by hand to TDC indicated on the pulley. Now turn the igntion key on and slowly turn the 123/Fiat clockwise, until the LED goes out. Now turn it SLOWLY in counterclockwise direction until the LED just comes on again. Tighten the unit in this position."

I have no LED light at any stage of the process. I have power: Voltmeter shows 11.8 volts from starter wire - through coil - and to the ground.

I can get the LED to flash on for a split second by touching the lead to the starter wire - but only a flash it wont stay lit when actually connected.

Something obvious that the blind cant see? Help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Dean

 

[oopsadaisy]

It sounds to me like the unit is faulty.

I fitted one to our car and it worked first time.

You really can't go wrong with the connections, and if you have the supply voltage and earth, then it should work.

I would be contacting the supplier for a replacement unit.

Having said that, it is a great device when it works, and have not looked back since fitting ours.

 

[shenkerman]

Thanks for the feedback. Everybody I talk to says they've never had a problem as well.

Out of curiosity - did you had a solid green static light on the unit from the moment you turned the ignition key on? Or did you have to fiddle around with it before it came on?

Supplier will send the replacement no charge - I just want to make sure Im not missing some detail that would make the thing work.

 

[oopsadaisy]

Hello Dean

No, it worked first time.

There should be two definite points which are triggered by the two rotating magnets in the unit.

They are very clearly defined and do not require any fiddling!

 

[shenkerman]

Thanks for your time and feedback.

D.

 

[JakeF]

Hi,

Found this old thread here concerning about the electronic ignition. In some way I like the old ignition with points etc, but in that type of ignition there are more things that could break up and need adjustment. Not a big deal and takes 15 mins to adjust.

Is this 126 ignition worth money? I also found a cheaper one, fit to the original distributor? Any words to say.
I also assume these will affect to the advance electrically, how much?

http://www.fiat500ricambi.com/fiat500/Ignition/OS1039#

http://www.fiat500ricambi.com/fiat500/Ignition/OS1015#

 

[Bambino]

Jake,

I have a 126 ignition fitted to my 500F and am very happy with it. The advantages of the 126 unit are that it is new (ie: not worn), has a reliable and programmable electronic advance and is very easy to set up. It is expensive but for me it was worth it.

The second kit is a hall effect switch that replaces the points (you also no longer need the troublesome condenser) however you will still be relying on the advance mechanism. If your distributor is in good shape and not badly worn, replacing the points with this kit would be a good move. Setting it up should not be difficult either.

Chris

 

[JakeF]

Jake,

I have a 126 ignition fitted to my 500F and am very happy with it. The advantages of the 126 unit are that it is new (ie: not worn), has a reliable and programmable electronic advance and is very easy to set up. It is expensive but for me it was worth it.

The second kit is a hall effect switch that replaces the points (you also no longer need the troublesome condenser) however you will still be relying on the advance mechanism. If your distributor is in good shape and not badly worn, replacing the points with this kit would be a good move. Setting it up should not be difficult either.

Chris

Chris,

You mean the 126 ignition has a standard advance curve or can it be programmed by yourself? And it works with the standard coil?
My best upgrade to my -68 vespa primavera was a electronic ignition

Jake

 

[Toshi 975]

Hi Jake , just to avoid confusion it is a 123 ignition and I am currently running the original type on my 500L and my 126 and they both work very well. Apart from the setting up position they have 16 different settings to play with. I have also ran the other type you showed on both cars and they also work verounts y well. They tend to be advertised here as Accuspark or Truespark on ebay. The Accuspark shop is not too far from me and when I spoke to the owner the other day he told me that he often discounts his ebay items on a Sunday to boost sales

 

[Bambino]

Sorry - I meant 123ignition, not 126 ignition. I've just returned from Europe and am still a bit jet-lagged.
The 123ignition seems very reliable and also very flexible for all sorts of engine mods.
Chris

 

[JakeF]

Thanks guys, good information. I'll check those ebay sites. Fiat500ricambi sells the 123 kit for 228€, thats not too bab for an electric ignition kit.

A good early christmas present for myself

 

[Bambino]

Here are a couple of photos showing the Hall Effect (AccuSpark) device fitted to a standard distributor. The installation is quick, easy and neat and the help guide that accompanies the kit makes wring up just as easy.

I got mine from http://www.accuspark.co.uk. It is Kit #30.

Chris

 

[jjacob]

Another brand of electronic ignition is the Pertronix kit. It is a hall effect switch that you install in your own distributor. I have this kit installed in my 500. They are around $100 USD. A few of the suppliers (in the UK?) sell these. I bought mine here in the USA.
Pertronix is a USA company and make these kits for just about every vehicle on the planet. They are very well respected for making a quality unit.
Only thing I had to do was drill out and tap to the next metric size the original points screw hole in the distributor base plate. Screw that comes with the Pertronix kit is slightly larger than the standard Marelli point screw.

The unit works perfectly.
John

 

[tbiggham]

You should make a video showing how to install this. I bought one but havent been able to put it in the car

 

[jjacob]

Tbiggham,

Are you talking about the Pertronix kit?

Hey, how about a first name. Makes things a little more friendly!

John

 

[tbiggham]

Hot-Spark electronic ignition conversion kit I think its pretty much the same thing and my name is Troy

 

[jjacob]

Troy,

Are you missing the instructions? Should be pretty easy. I can write up some instructions with pictures if you need them.
John

 

[Ade6873]

Hi everybody, I'm a new bod here and would like to jump on this thread.
I am just about to start a resto job on a 500 and I was trying to get it running the oter day with the std points set up, it ran for approx ten seconds and I couldn't get it running again.
I took a closer look at the points and the previous owner had bent the mounting pin so you couldnt set the points accurately so I bought this module for £52 but i still can get it running, so my question is how do you set this up if your not sure that the timing is ok to begin with?
When I took the distributed off to install the module all the bolts etc were loose so the guy who imported it had been fiddling by the looks of it!

Any advise would be great

Thanks

 

[jjacob]

Ade6873

Start a new thread and you will get more responses.
Need to know what "module" you purchased.
Pictures of module, and distributor, etc. will help greatly.
John

 

[tbiggham]

So i just installed mine which I picked up from hot-spark.com for 69 usd with free shipping. Idles smooth rainy so I cant take it out but it was pretty easy to install.