Trying to set the timing.

Can't do it.

Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.

Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
speed.

Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.

Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).

Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.

No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
the distributor or elsewhere.

Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
modifications to the electrical system.

Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??

Thanks ......

Mike
Michael Pomeroy

 

Put a dwell meter on it, it'll probably show it not holding,
bouncing around due to bad distributor bearings.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

pomerom@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy

 

Put a dwell meter on it, it'll probably show it not holding,
bouncing around due to bad distributor bearings.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

pomerom@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy

 

Put a dwell meter on it, it'll probably show it not holding,
bouncing around due to bad distributor bearings.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

pomerom@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy

 

also check the ign box (drivers inner fender under water bottle) if back is
melted, it is bad or on it's way out.

 

also check the ign box (drivers inner fender under water bottle) if back is
melted, it is bad or on it's way out.

 

also check the ign box (drivers inner fender under water bottle) if back is
melted, it is bad or on it's way out.

 

I have had several ignition boxes fail on my '83. The other part known to
fail is the Hall effect pickup in the distributer. Both are relatively
cheap, still available, and easy to replace.
<pomerom@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ltb00h9r44nuph4avgi5j31529754ss55@4ax.com...
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy

 

I have had several ignition boxes fail on my '83. The other part known to
fail is the Hall effect pickup in the distributer. Both are relatively
cheap, still available, and easy to replace.
<pomerom@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ltb00h9r44nuph4avgi5j31529754ss55@4ax.com...
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy

 

I have had several ignition boxes fail on my '83. The other part known to
fail is the Hall effect pickup in the distributer. Both are relatively
cheap, still available, and easy to replace.
<pomerom@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ltb00h9r44nuph4avgi5j31529754ss55@4ax.com...
> Trying to set the timing.
>
> Can't do it.
>
> Engine starts easily and runs, but very ragged.
>
> Intermittent no spark to each plug. Will show a spark correctly for 1
> or 2 or 5 or whatever correct rotations; then go away for various
> periods from momentary to up to several seconds; then more of the
> same. Apparent at idle and at higher rpm's -- with the only
> difference in the rate of spark obviously correlated with engine
> speed.
>
> Can be observed by putting the inductive timing light sensor on #1; or
> any other cylinder wire; or on the coil-to-distributor wires.
>
> Got a second inductive timing light. Same exact symptoms. (Both
> timing lights work just fine on my 90 Cherokee).
>
> Battery is good and fully charged. Weather is warm (I live in
> Florida). Have replaced the coil, the distributor cap & rotor, the
> plugs, and the plug wires. Nothing made any difference.
>
> No evidence of any corrosion or other obvious mechanical issues inside
> the distributor or elsewhere.
>
> Have owned the vehicle since new so I know there have been no
> modifications to the electrical system.
>
> Help please -- what do I check now. What should I do??
>
> Thanks ......
>
> Mike
> Michael Pomeroy