Hey guys, thanks for the add. 👋🏼

Im hoping someone can help with a Pertronix III distributor and coil I have in a jetboat. The engine ran with the old points distributor, however that old thing was on its last leg and had some problems. So I upgraded to the Pertronix III. After install and setting the initial timing, I never could get it to even hit. I took a volt meter and the coil it is getting 12v. After getting frustrated and letting it sit a couple days, I came back to it and it fired right up on the first try and ran fine. The next day I decided to set the timing with a light and it fired right up again. I had to shut the engine down for an unrelated issue for just a moment and tried to start it back up... nothing. I let it sit over night and still won’t even hit. I’ve attached a picture of how I have it wired, which is from the instructions included with the unit. I’m beginning to think the new distributor is bad. I’ve checked all cylinder compressions and I’m getting fuel. Anyone have any ideas before I call Pertronix?


[img]blob:https://classicoldsmobile.com/3924ed5e-13cf-4277-877d-7411893075ae[/img]

 

Your link does not work. Do you have power to the coil+ in both start and run key positions? Run a temp. jumper direct from the battery+ to the coil+. Just remember in order to turn it off the jumper needs to be removed.

 

Eric's advice about hooking the distributor directly to 12V is spot on! Sometimes Pertronix units and HEI modules can fail internally. That's why I always keep a spare HEI module in my glove box. It's a bit pricey to do with Pertronix. It may be the biggest draw back of running their ignition system.

 

I’ve had more trouble w pertronix than any other method of getting spark.

including right out of the box not working

 

Some people have good luck with that system, me not so much. Like Jesse said try the bypass with a jumper and see what you get.Their modules are subject to driving you nuts. If you still have your points distributor put it back in and wire it like you have the pertronix , I bet it will fire up, old points and all. Fact is I would just leave the points distributer in and be happpy...... Tedd

 

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People think they will never have to adjust points again. Thats totally true. But they fail to tell you how often you'll be changing modules because it "died". I'll bet those modules are more expensive than a set of points.
At least, with points, you have some warning of things getting bad. When an engine starts running rough, you can guess its time to check plugs and points.
You can run points to over 6,500 RPM's. Install Pertronix and you won't notice a difference in your E.T. at the drag strip.

 

But they are so SHINY!

 

Thanks for the tips guys. She’s up and running now. After jumping the coil, the engine fired right up. After some more checking, I finally determined my key switch had gone bad. When turned into the start position, it would activate the starter but nothing else, including the coil. Thankfully NAPA had a new key switch in stock that works perfectly. The key switch was the last thing on my mind of things to check... lesson learned.



As far as the new distributor, I knew I’d get some flak for updating the ignition... original will always be cool. The old Mallory distributor with the Pertronix update was worn out and had a warped shaft. Unfortunately changing points and the dizzy wouldn’t cut it.

Thanks again guys! Off to the lake this weekend to see how she does.

 

Good deal on the fix.

just keep a paddle handy

i wasn’t giving you flak for a non points dizzy, i was sharing my experience w pertronix. I’ve used them on a snowmobile trail groomer 4cyl Ford, a 50s tractor, and a car. 1 dead out of the box, 1 multiple problems until replaced, 1 worked fine.

i have an HEI in my car!

 

Glad its running, the starter feeds the coil when the engine is cranking.

 

I threw my Petronix in the trash, not that it matters now since I pushed the Cutlass into the back yard last summer where it hasn't moved since.