Ignition problem

I am about to fit Ford EDIS (Electronic Distributorless Ignition
System) into my '87 E30 316 (M10 engine). While I was testing EDIS
something happened to the original ignition system.

I just disconnected HT leads from the distributor, and connected them
to the EDIS ignition coil. I started the engine , and let it run for
20 min or so.

Original ignition control unit (TCI) was connected, as was ignition
coil and pulse generator (in the distributor). I only disconnected HT
leads.

When I finished testing EDIS, I connected HT leads back - and the
engine would not start. I checked (ten times) that I connected HT leads
in right order (1-3-4-2 anticlockwise). I removed one HT lead and
connected it to a spare spark plug - and I had the spark.

I than connected EDIS back - the engine started immediately. Again back
to the original ignition system - now no spark at all.

So I checked if I had +12V and ground at ignition control unit - OK,
lead from it to ignition coil is OK, pulse generator resistance was OK,
only pulse generator gives 0.75V (should be 1-2 V). Perhaps I should
mention that it was -4 Celsius (-25F) when I measured this. Ignition
coil is ~0.8 ohm primary, and ~8kohm secondary.

I tried with spare ignition control unit - and it does not work.

Any thoughts about what might have cause pulse generator to fail (if it
failed)? Or did I miss something?

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/__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 **
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On Sat, 5 Jan 2008 16:20:21 +0100, Yvan <me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote:

>I am about to fit Ford EDIS (Electronic Distributorless Ignition
>System) into my '87 E30 316 (M10 engine). While I was testing EDIS
>something happened to the original ignition system.

Sounds like a worthwhile upgrade. Is there a guide somewhere that
shows what has to be done to make this work?

>I just disconnected HT leads from the distributor, and connected them
>to the EDIS ignition coil. I started the engine , and let it run for
>20 min or so.
>
>Original ignition control unit (TCI) was connected, as was ignition
>coil and pulse generator (in the distributor). I only disconnected HT
>leads.

Might should have disconnected the original system completely.

>When I finished testing EDIS, I connected HT leads back - and the
>engine would not start. I checked (ten times) that I connected HT leads
>in right order (1-3-4-2 anticlockwise). I removed one HT lead and
>connected it to a spare spark plug - and I had the spark.
>
>I than connected EDIS back - the engine started immediately. Again back
>to the original ignition system - now no spark at all.
>
>So I checked if I had +12V and ground at ignition control unit - OK,
>lead from it to ignition coil is OK, pulse generator resistance was OK,
>only pulse generator gives 0.75V (should be 1-2 V). Perhaps I should
>mention that it was -4 Celsius (-25F) when I measured this. Ignition
>coil is ~0.8 ohm primary, and ~8kohm secondary.
>
>I tried with spare ignition control unit - and it does not work.
>
>Any thoughts about what might have cause pulse generator to fail (if it
>failed)? Or did I miss something?

The failure is most likely in the coil as it was left to fire
without anywhere for the spark to go. The continous arcing inside the
coil will eventually burn the insulation and create a short. If the
EDIS works, why go back???