Author Topic: 87 Ignition Module Wiring  (Read 23814 times)

Offline DnStClr

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87 Ignition Module Wiring
« on: February 24, 2009, 11:41:36 AM »
I kinda goofed- I was putting in a new ignition module in my 87 tbi distributor- a 15 minute job, right? Well company showed up; I lost track of which wire from the pickup coil goes to which module pin- and now I can't get a good wiring shot of it from my manuals.There's only 2 small wires- a green one and a yellow one. The two pins on the module are P and N. And of course,I can't resize a drawing from the manual, it keeps coming out so small that it's useless,so I hope that's enough info-
 ::)
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2009, 09:22:08 PM »
Realistically it doesn't matter. Did the plastic clip disintegrate? Most replacement pick up coils aren't even color coded
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2009, 12:28:41 AM »
A Plastic clip wasn't there. Thanks Vile.
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2009, 10:03:38 AM »
Well I need to ressurrect this starting problem. The truck starts and runs for @20 seconds and shuts down.I have replaced the fuel pump relay and checked it's wiring. I stuck another throttle body on, I replaced the tps, I tried another computer, and replaced the ignition module.  It acts the same using either fuel tank.Can a faulty oil pressure switch be the culprit, since it is tied in to the fuel delivery system ?
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2009, 11:29:41 AM »
No. Once the engine is started the oil pressure switch is out of the picture until next start up. Are you losing spark? Check the pick up coil.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2009, 11:39:05 AM »
OK. I was hoping it wasn't fuel related.
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2009, 12:49:22 PM »
Removed the distributor cap again and couldn't remove the pickup coil. after some 'skunk pee' (Blazin words) and a puller, it came off in pieces. Distributor shaft is pretty rusty. Also, the replacement coil sure looks different than the original when they're next to each other. .Once I took off the rotor and saw the pick up coil, I didn't bother with a spark check. It looks like I'll probably need to do that. lol



A plate is still left at the bottom and it has a roll pin in it. I assume this plate is the bottom part of the pickup coil. Does the plate come off with the bearing race? ( I hope so since I broke it)


« Last Edit: March 06, 2009, 01:01:33 PM by DnStClr »
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline choptop

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2009, 01:10:43 PM »
Ok, somebody straighten me out here. I thought the pickup coil had to be replace from the bottom by removing the distributor, the cam gear, and then go from there. Either way, I think it would have been easier to pull the distributor first.
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Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2009, 01:56:24 PM »
On the tbi distributor the pickup coil sits on the shaft right below the rotor. Modular type. Two wires come out of it to feed a signal to the ignition coil sitting right beside it under the distrib cap. That signal is sent to the ecm along with a signal from the knock sensor to determine how the ecm wants to set the timing. (That's  my take on it anyhow) :D But it's serviceable from the top. Sort of.
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2009, 03:42:08 PM »
No you need to remove the distributor and slide out the pole piece. Knock the gear roll pin out. Note the dot faces toward the slot for the rotor.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2009, 03:42:55 PM »
I just looked at your pix. Don you broke the pole piece. Time for a new distributor.
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                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline choptop

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2009, 04:30:51 PM »
Yay, Im not crazy. Sorry Don.
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
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Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2009, 09:16:53 PM »
 :D Nuts. Well not all is lost. Maybe I can upgrade to a better distributor.
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline choptop

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2009, 09:20:10 PM »
:D Nuts. Well not all is lost. Maybe I can upgrade to a better distributor.
Now you're thinking.
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
85 C10, 85 K10, 85 K20,86 C10,86 K10 (all extended cabs)
86 C30 extended crewcab

Offline DnStClr

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Re: 87 Ignition Module Wiring
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2009, 07:57:28 AM »
Being self-taught can be rough on a guy at any age :D
Don
87 Chevy Silverado