anyone in the Denver CO area have an 87 XT(4) with a black-plug distributor that I could borrow the dist for about a 1/2 hour to trouble shoot mine? I just want to swap it in and see if my problem goes away before I have to swap the brain

 

thanks

 

Bill

be sure to verify the one you need, there are two style distributors. i believe the 87.5 XT is different than earlier versions.

 

if the disty is the same but the connectors are different, you can swap pigtails just by unscrewing it at the base.

Thanks for the reminder - this is a June 87 build so it will be a 87.5 to end of production in I believe September 87

 

Bill

bump

many thanks to Terry at Colorado Component Rebuilders, Inc. for the use of the needed distributor. Unfortunately, my problem is still present. SO...next test is to find an EA81 distributor and swap out to a points based set up and eliminate the ECU for ignition altogether. This brings me to an important question of the board.

 

Will it work?

I guess the real question is if I switch to a points system, is the ECU going to be looking for some kind of signal from the now non-existent distributor to fire the FI? Obviously the tach won't work, but I'm really running out of ideas here...

BTW...all I need to do is swap the EA82 dist drive gear to the EA81 right?

Bill

No

Yes

Tach will work

No

Firstly, you don't need a points disty to try what you are doing. you could use an magnetic pickup disty from a carbed EA82, without swapping any drive gears.

 

Problem is, FI computer won't inject fuel if it doesn't see a signal from the CAS style disty. Wont' work.

 

What is the issue you are having? It may be easier to help you with fixing the problem, more than figuring out *workarounds* and *swaps*

G

 

long story short, when it starts it runs fine. When it warms up I get electrical/ignition problems specifically cuts out under load or constant throttle above 2,000rpm - not fuel but fire - engine cuts off, tach starts bouncing - with no noticeable change in how it sounds/running - right before it happens so you know its coming, etc, stop - let it cool and you start all over again. I have swapped everything electircal under the hood to the point that I'm pretty sure its a harness or ECU propblem at this point unless I have been swapping in bad parts...

 

Bill

G

 

long story short, when it starts it runs fine. When it warms up I get electrical/ignition problems specifically cuts out under load or constant throttle above 2,000rpm - not fuel but fire - engine cuts off, tach starts bouncing - with no noticeable change in how it sounds/running - right before it happens so you know its coming, etc, stop - let it cool and you start all over again. I have swapped everything electircal under the hood to the point that I'm pretty sure its a harness or ECU propblem at this point unless I have been swapping in bad parts...

 

Bill

 

you sure the MAF sensor is giving a good signal?

and it also might be a clogged cat

G

 

long story short, when it starts it runs fine. When it warms up I get electrical/ignition problems specifically cuts out under load or constant throttle above 2,000rpm - not fuel but fire - engine cuts off, tach starts bouncing - with no noticeable change in how it sounds/running - right before it happens so you know its coming, etc, stop - let it cool and you start all over again. I have swapped everything electircal under the hood to the point that I'm pretty sure its a harness or ECU propblem at this point unless I have been swapping in bad parts...

 

Bill

 

Probably the ignition amp mounted on the coil bracket.Hit it w/some "cold spray" next time it fails or swap one from another car.

 

Could be coil or ECU too,but,I doubt it.

swapped out the MAF and sensor, removed the cat and swapped out the ignition amp from another running car.

 

Bill