I purchased a new ignition pickup coil and ignition module for my 88GT from The Fiero Store yesterday and expect delivery Friday or Saturday. Replacing the ignition module is a piece of cake but what is involved in replacing the pickup coil? Is it necessary to remove the distributor? I don’t want to reinvent the wheel here.
Yes, you have to pull the distributor. The trigger star wheel is splined/pressed onto the shaft and though it looks like you could pull it up and off once you do that it won't fit tightly anymore and the distributor shaft endplay will make the distributor unuseable.
I think Jetman posted a writeup on this not too long ago, you might try the search function.
JazzMan
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08:58 AM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13620 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
^ yup like all above - its gotta get pulled...... but, it is not a toughy. just mark it properly, and its easy. when you pull it the dist, mark where the rotor is pointing, then pull up - the rotor will turn - mark where it ends up also for even easier install. strip what ya can get a punch/drift whatever to tap out the roll pin holding the dist gear. take gear off, slide shaft out. really is that easy. clean clean clean the dist shaft & bearings - make that thing spin free. I'm sure ya noticed how sticky it is when ya took it apart. that thing should spin like a top when you are done. not feel like its stuck in clay.
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11:40 AM
jetman Member
Posts: 7799 From: Sterling Heights Mich Registered: Dec 2002
Videos are great, but only for someone who doesn't get little white squares with green puzzle pieces like I do since my work computer has been stripped of any ability whatsoever to play any kind of video of any kind by my obstructive little man syndrome sysadmin. Don't have a home computer anymore.
I like "analog" pictures, hehehe...
JazzMan
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01:44 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13620 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Thanks all, I see that jetman suggests pulling the ECM fuse, but is suspect that is to prevent the engine from starting when cranked. I, unfortunately, won’t have that problem. I am wondering why the ADL connection needs to be ground prior to setting the timing. What’s the deal? George
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02:07 PM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by gem1138: Thanks all, I see that jetman suggests pulling the ECM fuse, but is suspect that is to prevent the engine from starting when cranked. I, unfortunately, won’t have that problem. I am wondering why the ADL connection needs to be ground prior to setting the timing. What’s the deal? George
it shuts off any ECM timing adjustments. you cant set the timing, if the ECM keeps moving the timing around on ya
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02:14 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13620 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by JazzMan: Videos are great, but only for someone who doesn't get little white squares with green puzzle pieces like I do since my work computer has been stripped of any ability whatsoever to play any kind of video of any kind by my obstructive little man syndrome sysadmin. Don't have a home computer anymore.
he had to, otherwise you would spend all day on the net watching videos.
he had to, otherwise you would spend all day on the net watching videos.
Heh, everyone else here has the ability to view videos. No, my IT spaztic has a hard-on for me, has done every passive-aggressive thing he can to reduce the quality of my job experience since day one. I have no idea what I did to trigger this guy, sure wish I knew. I still haven't seen Star Wars Kid.
On grounding the ALDL connector to set timing, the ECM uses non-linear advance curves and is constantly tweaking the advance command to the distributor module. At idle the ECM normally commands around 30-35° advance, so if you set timing without the ALDL grounded you'll actually be setting your advance up to 25° retarded.
JazzMan
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09:09 AM
Gwain Member
Posts: 460 From: Titusville, Florida, USA Registered: Dec 2004
Originally posted by JazzMan: Heh, everyone else here has the ability to view videos. No, my IT spaztic has a hard-on for me, has done every passive-aggressive thing he can to reduce the quality of my job experience since day one. I have no idea what I did to trigger this guy, sure wish I knew. I still haven't seen Star Wars Kid. JazzMan
i'm just razzin ya. i've read your posts about him picking on you. it does sound like he's singled you out for something.
[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 02-28-2008).]
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10:52 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13620 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by Gwain: I particularly liked the "hot, hot, hot" commentary while working on the hot engine.
thanks.
and while i don't remember that particular instance in one of my videos, i'm sure we all have juggled a hot nut or bolt back and forth between our hands rather than being smart enough to just drop the damn thing
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11:05 PM
Curlrup Member
Posts: 2590 From: Havre De Grace, MD Registered: Apr 2007
Hey Buddy how much of your video would translate over to the mighty Iron Duke Distributor? I would assume it is very similar just missing two plug wires?
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11:27 PM
Feb 29th, 2008
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13620 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by Curlrup: Hey Buddy how much of your video would translate over to the mighty Iron Duke Distributor? I would assume it is very similar just missing two plug wires?
that and it's under the intake manifold. but it's mostly the same.
Also if you have the whole thing out and apart look for one of my threads it shows how you can replace the ailing fiero parts with parts you can get reasonably cheap at a junkyard and the distributor will run cooler and last longer!
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