Distributor green wire

[joe912/62]

How do I test the green wires going to the distributor? Can I just pull on the connection and check for continuity at the 2 pins ? Do I need to remove the distributor to pull the plug off ? Also in the Bentley manual it states to test the CID connection between terminal 7 and 31d check while engine cranking and test for voltage (VAC) , what is VAC? I tested for power at #15 terminal and have power there.
Thanks

[47silver]

What is the problem you are investigating

[joe912/62]

Want to verify if the wire is my problem with the no start issue. Car starts and turns off.

[Nditiz1]

If it shuts off after getting warm could also be CDI. Usually just wiggling the green wire and getting the undesired outcome is the test. I had one intermittent. Initially thought it was my CDI acting up again. Bob had serviced it the first time. He retested/stressed and it would not fail. I started moving the green wire one day while it idled in my driveway and got the car to stall. No issues after the replacement wire.

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by joe912/62

How do I test the green wires going to the distributor? Can I just pull on the connection and check for continuity at the 2 pins ? Do I need to remove the distributor to pull the plug off ? Also in the Bentley manual it states to test the CID connection between terminal 7 and 31d check while engine cranking and test for voltage (VAC) , what is VAC? I tested for power at #15 terminal and have power there.
Thanks

The green wire at the CDI should measure about 600 ohms and about .60 ACV while cranking.

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by Nditiz1

If it shuts off after getting warm could also be CDI. Usually just wiggling the green wire and getting the undesired outcome is the test. I had one intermittent. Initially thought it was my CDI acting up again. Bob had serviced it the first time. He retested/stressed and it would not fail. I started moving the green wire one day while it idled in my driveway and got the car to stall. No issues after the replacement wire.

Really? Life time warranty, right?

[David Inc.]

The distributor has to come off to pull the wire. At least I can't see how else to do it.

If it starts and then stalls the same way every time it's not that wire.

[47silver]

Take a spare plug, take off a spark plug wire, ground the plug. Have someone turn key or record with phone and see you have spark

[Nditiz1]

@mysocal911 - not sure you understood my comment. Bob's product and warranty are stellar. He tried to make the CDI fail by stress testing with hot conditions and it would not fail. It was clear at that point it was not the CDI.

[joe912/62]

So I can test at the CDI connector which is easier to remove?

[JSV798]

Originally Posted by joe912/62

How do I test the green wires going to the distributor? Can I just pull on the connection and check for continuity at the 2 pins ?

If your car is like mine (1978SC) then you can disconnect at the two pins near the chain case and test for continuity; if you have continuity between the two wires then the green wire has shorted and needs to be replaced. You have to remove the distributor to replace it.

Roy

[joe912/62]

Sorry which 2 pin connector near the chain case?

[David Inc.]

Can you describe the engine shutoff issue? When it cuts out? Might get your best feedback like that.

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by Nditiz1

@mysocal911 - not sure you understood my comment. Bob's product and warranty are stellar. He tried to make the CDI fail by stress testing with hot conditions and it would not fail. It was clear at that point it was not the CDI.

So what it is, i.e. days/months/years?

[Nditiz1]

Well it's 2 year, but Bob is a pretty good dude. If he's still in business when your CDI were to break 50 yrs down the road I'm sure he'll fix it for you.

[joe912/62]

Very simply starts and dies. No idle whatsoever.

[David Inc.]

Can you keep it running by giving it throttle? What are you calling a "start"? Like it will get some ignitions but not turn over on its own when you turn the key off ignition back to on? Does it rev up with RPM on the tach for a second before dying? So many unknowns but definitely doesn't sound like the wire if it's firing at all.

[Nditiz1]

Can you post of video?

[joe912/62]

It revs up to RPMs on the tach and shuts down.
I could try to get a video tomorrow

[David Inc.]

That'll be helpful, but almost 100% not the green wire if it revs.